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Question

Training data vs evaluation data: what's the difference?

By SourceX Editorial · Updated

Short answer

Training data is used to teach a model — adjusting its parameters — while evaluation data is held back to measure how well the model performs. Training sets are usually larger; evaluation sets are smaller but must be high quality, representative and kept separate from training to give honest results. Both can be licensed, and evaluation licenses often restrict use to testing only.

Part of: AI evaluation data

Comparison#

Comparison
Training dataEvaluation data
PurposeTeach the modelMeasure performance
SizeLargerSmaller
Key requirementVolume and relevanceQuality and separation
Typical licenceTraining useTesting use only

Explanation#

Evaluation data must not leak into training, so buyers often require exclusivity or strict separation.

Expert-verified answers make evaluation data especially valuable.

Rights and privacy#

  • Evaluation-only licenses may prohibit training use
  • Confidentiality to prevent contamination

How licensing works#

A business describes its data, buyer demand is assessed, scope and permitted use are proposed, the data is prepared and de-identified, an agreement is signed, and the approved dataset is delivered. See data licensing for detail.

Relevant industries

Relevant data types

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General information, not legal advice. Editorial policy.

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