BTEC FAQs

As a result of the outcome of the Stage 1 of Ofqual’s consultation for Vocational and Technical Qualifications and the assessment arrangements for 2020/21, unlike last summer results cannot be calculated on a nationwide scale. As schools and colleges are now open, the expectation of the DfE and Ofqual is that assessment will take place.

We are working within the Extended ERF, set out by Ofqual which permits adapted assessments as the main mitigation for the impact of COVID-19 this year. Our proposed adaptations require for mandatory content to be assessed, and as these are assessed through exams, we are looking to continue to run these in 2021. We acknowledge that there may be local or national disruption as a result of COVID-19, and therefore have requested that centres focus on the delivery and assessment of mandatory content, including that assessed by internal assessments, to ensure that unit grades can be ‘banked’ throughout the year. If learners miss external assessments due to COVID-19, the Special Considerations process can be used to enable affected learners to access a result.

Entries for external assessments must be made by the deadlines to ensure that the relevant materials are sent and received in time and in order for us to ensure we can mark, award and return results in line with published deadlines. Learners without entries will not be able to receive results for assessments. If entries are made, and students cannot subsequently take the external assessment due to COVID-19, the Special Considerations process can be used. We are unable to accept Special Consideration requests if an exam entry is not made for the learner.

We believe that adaptations should apply equally to mid-flight learners, as they are being impacted in equal measure to learners who are expecting to complete their qualifications this academic year. However, the EERF applies only to learners who are due to complete (certificate) this academic year. We are working with DfE, FAB and Ofqual to insist on a review of this position to ensure all learners are treated equally in relation to adapted assessments. We will update you of any changes.

Yes, we will be allocating SVs for relevant programmes from January 2021. We want to ensure that centres have the appropriate support to enable certification release, and as such your SV will look to sample available work to validate standards maintenance between January and May.

Banking grades throughout the year will help mitigate against the potential impact of the pandemic on delivery and assessment of the qualifications and helps ensure we can support you appropriately.We want to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on your grade reporting processes, whilst also recognising that we find ourselves in continued extraordinary times. We know that many centre assessors assesslearner work to the correct standards and therefore, whilst recognising that for some centres this will mean needing to resubmit grades, for the majority, these grades will likely be confirmed by the SV and therefore enable results issue to take place more smoothly. Grades should be submitted as interim claims to avoid issues with eligibility.

You must make full award claims when all of your internally assessed unit grades are submitted, this will enable the eligibility reporting to be initiated which will alert you to any issues with the combination of unit grades claimed, or any other issues. You should ensure that unit grades submitted align to any unit combinations outlined in the relevant specification.

We will confirm the process for this, just as soon as our adaptation proposals are accepted and EOL is updated to enable you to make us aware of these optional units. Thank you for your continued patience.

We will work with the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) to mitigate clashes. It may not be possible to do this in every situation, so we will maintain processes to facilitate learners to be able to take assessments if they have a clash that cannot be avoided. More details are provided in section 7 of the JCQ ‘ICE’ document.

This decision affects units that are scheduled to an AM or PM slot within the timetable. It will also include tasks that are scheduled to take place on a single day. It does not include task-based assessments that are conducted over a window of time, although we are considering how we can ensure parity by potentially extended those windows.

Yes. With COVID-19 still impacting on you and your learners, we've created a series of Sector Guides designed to offer you guidance on how you might adapt delivery of BTEC qualifications. 

These guides cover the following qualifications as well as additional sector-specific Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications where appropriate: 

• BTEC Nationals 
• BTEC Firsts 
• BTEC Level 2 Technicals 
• BTEC Level 2 Industry Skills 
• BTEC Tech Awards 
• Work Skills, PSD, Personal Growth and Wellbeing 
  

Whilst we do not yet know yet what this academic year holds, particularly in relation to the full impact of Covid-19 on teaching and assessing BTEC, we recommend that you focus on the delivery of mandatory/core units/components for now, prioritising them over the delivery of optional units. This will aid learner progression in the event of any later disruption. Ideally, you would also be banking learner’s achievement on our system, as you deliver the course, rather than waiting to submit grades at the end of the academic year. 

If Centre Assessed Grades (CAGs) were not entered for the unit/component, you should continue to assess as normal following the guidance set out in the BTEC Centre Guide to Internal Assessment. We expect to issue further assessment guidance this term following the outcomes of Ofqual’s VTQ Consultation. 

Yes. The format of internal assessments for BTEC qualifications has always been flexible, and this can continue. For example, instead of requiring learners to write an evaluation or reflective journal you may wish to assess this through a viva voce or vlog. Whichever format you choose must enable learners to produce authentic and independent work. 

Please submit an SA16 form as a request for a grade amendment after certification for our Quality Standards team to review. 

There are two options: 

1. Learners can complete assignment work at home providing the Assessor is satisfied as to the authenticity of the work completed outside of the centre. If it is found that some or all the evidence is not authentic, Assessors need to take appropriate action, including invoking centre malpractice policies as required. 

2. Learners can be granted an extension if they are unable to complete work due to self-isolating. The extension must be approved by the Lead Internal Verifier and documented on the assessment record. 

A deferred calculated grade was issued for learners, due to complete in 2020/21 or later, who did not meet the minimum evidence thresholds for determining external results in summer 2020. 

Once full award claims are made, we will calculate grades for all entries marked as ‘Absent’ from the summer 2020 examination session, using the method that informed our review.   We will not be releasing deferred grade calculations following the outcome of standards verification as previously suggested. Grades will be calculated and released in line with the January series results day, or the June series results day (depending on when the full award claim is made). If learners choose to re-sit assessments in January, and/or June (prior to receiving their deferred calculated results), the highest grade will be applied to the qualification result.

Unfortunately, we cannot advise on this. The Assessor, in conjunction with the learner needs to agree on what the best option is. 

The learner, so long as they have an 'absent' result for Summer 2020 will be issued a deferred calculated grade, which will follow the same calculation rules.  Using the calculation rules, the Assessor will be able to estimate what the overall achievement for the learner is likely to be and whether this is in line with their expectations, and if a re-sit is therefore required. 

Yes. The CAG is treated as the first submission for the unit/component. Learners who received a CAG for internal units in summer 2020 will be able to resubmit assignments for these units in 2020/21.  

The resubmission process for this scenario is:

1. Lead Internal Verifier to authorise the resubmission attempt to ensure any resubmissions are fairly and consistently implemented for all learners

2. Ensure the assessment plan is kept up to date

3. Learers should attempt the resubmission using the assignment brief planned to be delivered in 2019/20; a new assignment does not have to be issued

4. The resubmission period is up to 15 working days from the date the assignment brief is issued to the learner, and the deadline must be clearly stated on the assignment.   

PLEASE NOTE: 15 working days must be within term time, in the 2020/21 academic  year and must not fall over a holiday period. If learners are studying part time, this is the equivalent of 15 days of “study time” to ensure all learners are treated fairly.  

5. Once the assignment brief has been issued, the assessment must be undertaken by the learner with no further guidance and they must work independently. 

6. Only one resubmission is allowed for each assignment.  

The Assessor is expected to formally record the assessment result and confirm the achievement of specific assessment criteria. 

Each learner should submit

• evidence towards the targeted assessment criteria
• a signed and dated declaration of authenticity with each assignment which confirms they have produced the evidence themselves

7. On receipt of the learner work, the Assessor should:  

• mark the work against the requirements of the unit specification
• formally record and confirm the achievement of specific assessment criteria on as assessment record, clearly indicating this is a resubmission
• complete a confirmation statement that to the best of their knowledge, the evidence they have assessed is authentic and is the learner's own work
• formally record the CAG and the resubmitted grade on assessment tracking documentation

8. A sample of the resubmitted work the for the unit/component covering all Assessors must be internally verified. 

Yes. If an opportunity for resubmission could not be enabled due to lockdown restrictions, learners are eligible to resubmit their work. 

Yes. You can issue one assignment per Learning Aim in this instance.

No. As learners have been provided with an opportunity to resubmit the learning aim, they cannot be granted a further chance to improve their work. As the remaining Learning Aims have not been assessed, they can be granted a resubmission opportunity for them.  

If Learning Aim A has been assessed and a resubmission opportunity taken last year, then the learner is not eligible for any further assessment opportunities. If Learning Aim A has been assessed but lockdown restrictions meant a resubmission opportunity could not be granted, then they can undertake a resubmission for the Learning Aim this year.  

For the remaining Learning Aims, the normal assessment and resubmission rules should be applied, as detailed in the Centre Guide to Internal Assessment.  

Yes. As an overall unit grade was given, learners would need to undertake assessment of the whole unit. There may be some exceptions to this rule for qualification suites. We will be issuing qualification-specific assessment guidance later this term. 

Yes. Learners can be granted an opportunity however ahead of issuing the assignment brief and commencing the 15 working day resubmission timeframe, you need to be confident they are sufficiently prepared to undertake the assessment and can do so independently. 

In lieu of teaching time not being available, you may wish to consider providing learners with teaching and learning resources for them to complete as homework tasks to develop the knowledge and skills required in the assessment.  

Yes. You can pick up where you left off and complete teaching and learning activities before issuing the assignment brief so that learners are provided with feedback and guidance. The teaching and learning work produced by learners however must not be submitted as the resubmission.

Yes. The resubmission opportunity does not have to be granted for whole cohorts. The Assessor must be confident that learners can complete the assessment independently. 

This is in place to safeguard against potential malpractice and to also avoid disadvantaging learners who may be unable to access resources outside of their centre during non-term time. 

No. The CAG is considered the first submission attempt and following the resubmission there will be no further opportunity for assessment. 

We are currently exploring how this can be identified when you report learner achievement and will provide an update as soon as we can. 

Yes. In this scenario the learner can be granted a retake opportunity and you should follow the guidance for retakes in the BTEC Centre Guide to Internal Assessment. 

Remember: A retake opportunity is unavailable for BTEC Level 1/2 Firsts due to the Level 1 fallback criteria. 

The window for standards verification will open from January 2021. 

Yes. Unless there have been resubmission opportunities granted, Standards Verifiers will not request to see work for learners who have been issued with a CAG. This is due to learners not submitting evidence for assessment. 

Yes. Your Standards Verifier will request to see resubmissions for CAGs as part of their sample. They will require you to include:

• evidence of a signed and dated Lead Internal Verifier authorisation, with the resubmission deadline clearly stated
• assessment tracking documentation clearly stating the CAG and the resubmitted grade achieved
• the learner work accompanied by a signed-and-dated declaration of authenticity by the learner
• the resubmission assessment record, showing any related changes to the assessment decisions and accompanied by a signed-and-dated declaration of authenticity by the Assessor
• internal verification documentation of the resubmission assessment decision. 

Following Ofqual’s announcement that A Level and GCSE students are to receive centre assessment grades and after receiving feedback from schools, colleges and learners, we will now be applying the same principles for students receiving BTECs this summer. This means we will be regrading the following BTECs - BTEC Level 3 Nationals (2010 QCF and 2016 RQF), BTEC Level 1/2 Tech Awards, BTEC Level 2 Technicals and BTEC Level 1/2 Firsts. 

Our priorities are to deliver fair outcomes for BTEC students in relation to A Levels and GCSEs and to ensure that no student is disadvantaged. So, in light of Ofqual’s announcement, we decided to review our approach for BTEC students and have taken on board feedback from teachers, schools and colleges before making a number of changes.

As a result, we have decided to apply Ofqual’s principles for students receiving BTECs, which means we will now be regrading the following BTECs awarded this summer - BTEC Level 3 Nationals (2010 QCF and 2016 RQF), BTEC Level 1/2 Tech Awards, BTEC Level 2 Technicals and BTEC Level 1/2 Firsts.

An infographic has been made available on our website which explains the principles and approach for the revised awarding process.

This will apply to the following BTECs awarded this summer - BTEC Level 3 Nationals (2010 QCF and 2016 RQF), BTEC Level 1/2 Tech Awards, BTEC Level 2 Technicals and BTEC Level 1/2 Firsts. 

We are working urgently with schools and colleges to reissue grades. We will focus on removing Pearson calculated grades and allowing higher outcomes for the externally examined units, so they are in line with those units assessed by teachers. We will also be reviewing where adjustments have been made downwards on internal units.

We are now able to confirm that we will be issuing BTEC results to schools/colleges on a rolling basis from:  

• Tuesday 25 August 2020 for BTEC Level 3 Nationals 
• Thursday 27 August 2020 for BTEC Level 1/2 Firsts, BTEC Level 1/2 Tech Awards, BTEC Level 2 Technicals.  
• All eligible learners will receive their results by Friday 28 August 2020, with the priority on issuing the Level 3 results. We will continue to process results after Friday through September, like in previous years.
  

We want to reassure you that no grades will go down as part of this review. 

BTECs are modular and flexible, this means that units can be combined in different ways to achieve qualifications. To be eligible for a qualification outcome, BTEC students need the correct combination of unit grades. Some BTEC qualifications are made up of two units, and some are made up of more than ten. For internally assessed units (those marked by teachers and tutors) these unit grades are reported to us by the Centre. For externally assessed units (exams or on-demand tests), Pearson provides these grades. As exams could not take place this summer, Pearson is calculating exam results. For a qualification to be eligible, all relevant units must be in our systems, which will then calculate the overall qualification grade. Where units are missing, either internally or externally assessed units, the qualification grade cannot be awarded, and these are referred to as 'not eligible'.

Please accept our sincerest apologies for the delay.  We are now able to confirm that we will be issuing BTEC results to schools/colleges on a rolling basis from:  

• Tuesday 25 August 2020 for BTEC Level 3 Nationals 
• Thursday 27 August 2020 for BTEC Level 1/2 Firsts, BTEC Level 1/2 Tech Awards, BTEC Level 2 Technicals.  
• All eligible learners will receive their results by Friday 28 August 2020, with the priority on issuing the Level 3 results. We will continue to process results after Friday through September, like in previous years. 

Learners results will be made available on Edexcel online, EDI and A2C.

We are working closely with UCAS and universities to ensure your learners are supported during this period.  We want to reassure you that no grades will go down as part of this review.  

If you have a learner that is happy with their university place, they do not need to do anything. They can start their studies as planned. 

If you have a learner whose result is upgraded, they will not automatically be confirmed at your original firm choice. If they want to return to their original firm choice, they will need to contact the university or college. We are also happy to support you by contacting universities and colleges on your behalf.  Please let us know if you would like us to do this for you. 

We have written to schools and colleges asking them not to issue any BTEC First/Technical/Tech Award result, while we work to recalculate the final grades.

For those Level 3 BTEC students who received results last week and earlier this summer, please be assured that no grades will go down as part of this review. 

You can get in touch with us on our website. 

All external assessments in BTEC Nationals/Firsts/Tech Awards/Technical qualifications will be reviewed to ensure BTEC students are treated fairly and in line with the approach now being used for GCSE and A Levels. Calculated grades for external assessments for BTEC students in the first year of a two-year course will be subject to same review.

All Level 3 BTEC National results are being reviewed. They will only receive one result which will be their final reviewed result. Please be assured that their grade will not go down as part of this review.

We are now able to confirm that we will be issuing BTEC results to schools/colleges on a rolling basis from: 

• Tuesday 25 August 2020 for BTEC Level 3 Nationals 
• Thursday 27 August 2020 for BTEC Level 1/2 Firsts, BTEC Level 1/2 Tech Awards, BTEC Level 2 Technicals.  
• All eligible learners will receive their results by Friday 28 August 2020, with the priority on issuing the Level 3 results. We will continue to process results after Friday through September, like in previous years.
  

Functional Skills results can be released as normal, they are not affected by this grading review. A different model was used to validate results for Functional Skills (see our guide for more information). 

The updated results will be available on Edexcel Online, EDI and A2C.

We have produced a guide which explains the new process.

These should arrive in centre by 7 November 2020.

We're offering external assessments linked to Licence to Practice units (including Units 1 and 2 in the BTEC Level 3 Nationals in Children’s Play, Learning and Development (CPLD) and Unit 2 in the BTEC Level 2 Technical Diploma in CPLD). We're not planning on offering additional assessment opportunities during autumn 2020 beyond this.

As this is an exceptional year, we will freeze the autumn 2020 fees which means that the fees for this series will remain the same as the fees published for 2019/2020.

BTEC Level 2/3 (CPLD): 24 August.

BTEC Level 2/3 Nationals (CPLD) Window:

• Entry Deadline: 11 September
• Late Fees: From 12 September
• Higher fees: From 30 September

Yes. Learners will be granted this opportunity. We will release further guidance on how to conduct resubmission for calculated units closer to the start of the next academic year. 

In order to ensure a consistent and fair approach, all learners who would have expected to have either completed their assessments and/or received certificates between March and the end of July will receive a calculated result. Therefore, this includes learners in their first year of a two-year course.  

There will be minimum evidence requirements that need to be met in order for a calculated result to be issued, which is one internal unit (either a fully completed unit, or a Centre Assessment Grade). 

We have asked the Department for Education to clarify whether part-calculated results will count in performance measures, and are awaiting confirmation.

In the meantime, we strongly recommend that you continue to submit your actual and Centre Assessment grades and rank order information by the deadlines of 5 June and 19 June, respectively. This is the best interests of learners who are expecting to be issued with a result this summer. 

The process for appealing calculated results is detailed on our Appeals support page.

On 19 August we confirmed that we would be amending our approach to grading BTEC qualifications for summer 2020.

The new approach will work out an average point score across all internal units – units already achieved, and any Centre Assessment Grades submitted this summer, that contribute to the qualification being claimed. This average is weighted to the Guided Learning Hours (GLH) for the associated units. This points score will be used to determine an equivalent point score for each of the external unit(s) that were due to be taken this summer, proportionate to the size (GLH) of the unit. These points are contained in the specification for each of the relevant BTEC qualifications on our website.

We recognise that in some rare and specific cases a candidate may have been expected to perform at a higher level in their external assessments than their internal assessments. This may be because, for example, they were dealing with a medical condition that meant they did not perform as well as expected in some or all their internal assessments. In cases such as this we want to ensure that we provide a route to appeal that supports candidates to achieve the grade that best reflects their abilities.

Where these cases arise, centres should use our ‘Appeals Service 5 – Exceptional Circumstances’ - to explain the reasons why a candidate should be awarded a higher grade and provide relevant, supporting evidence. We will consider each case carefully and take the appropriate action according to the evidence.

We expect these cases to be rare, but we feel it is vital that we do whatever we can to make sure every candidate receives a fair grade, and no one is disadvantaged.

There are other routes to appeal available to centres too, and these are explained on our website. 

Where we believe that the review and regarding of BTECs has resolved the basis of your appeal, we have withdrawn the appeal and notified affected centres.

All initial review applications must be made by 17 September 2020.

Where internal assessment has taken place for VTQs (including where it has been adapted), the usual appeals process will apply, with appeals being managed through the centre’s appeals process. Where these appeals then need to be escalated to us, the Internal Assessment Reviews and Appeals Policy will continue to apply.

To check which appeal arrangements, apply to specific qualifications, please see our Guide to Appeals for Summer 2020.