BTEC Nationals: improvements to assessment in some subjects
Find out about the recent improvements to assessment for some of your new BTEC Nationals.
Last updated: 12 December 2017
What are the changes?
We've recently made some improvements to assessment and Sample Assessment Materials (SAMs) in some subjects for your new BTEC Nationals for 2016 and 2017.
All subjects involved are listed below - just click on your subject for further details:
BTEC Level 3 Nationals in Animal Management (2016) – improvements to the instructions for external tasks
We’ve updated our sample assessments to make the instructions around externally assessed tasks clearer.
Here’s a summary of what’s changed for each unit so you’re clear what you and your learners will need to do when preparing for the next assessment.
What has changed?
Monitoring learner work: we have clarified how learner’s preparation should be informally supervised and their notes authenticated
Timing of Part B: this will now take place in a specific timetabled session
Which units are affected and where can I find the updated Sample Assessment Materials (SAMs)?
You can see examples of all the changes in the updated Sample Assessment Materials (SAMs):
Do the changes apply immediately?
Yes – these changes are now live and will apply to the 2018 assessments onwards.
Will this mean changes to teaching and learning completed for these units so far?
There shouldn’t be any impact on the preparation you have done so far for these units because these are only clarifications to the timetabling of the assessments.
Which qualifications do these changes apply to?
The changes apply to units in these qualifications:
QN |
Title |
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Animal Management |
|
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma in Animal Management |
|
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Animal Management |
|
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Animal Management with Science |
If you have any questions about this, please contact us at TeachingLandBasedStudies@pearson.com or on 020 7010 2173.
BTEC Level 3 Nationals in Applied Science (2016) and Forensic and Criminal Investigation (2017) - improvement to Sample Assessment Materials
After listening to feedback from schools and colleges following the summer 2017 exam series, we’ve updated our Sample Assessment Materials for:
Unit 1 (BTEC Nationals in Applied Science and Forensic and Criminal Investigation)
Unit 5 (BTEC Nationals in Applied Science)
to give learners longer to complete each assessment.
Here’s a summary of what’s changed so you’re clear what you and your learners need to do when preparing for the next assessment.
What has changed and which units are affected?
We’ve increased the length of time learners have to complete the assessments for:
Unit 1: Principles and Applications of Science I - now 2 hours (previously 1.5 hours)
Unit 5: Principles and Applications of Science II - now 2.5 hours (previously of 2 hours)
This change means learners can start the assessment with their preferred science and complete the 3 sections in any order, giving them every opportunity to showcase their knowledge and skills.
Where can I find the updated Sample Assessment Materials (SAMs)?
BTEC Level 3 Nationals in Applied Science (2016) and BTEC Level 3 Nationals in Forensic and Criminal Investigation (2017)
Unit 1: Principles and Applications of Science 1
BTEC Level 3 Nationals in Applied Science
Unit 5: Principles and Applications of Science 2
Do the changes apply immediately?
Yes – these changes are now live and will apply to the 2018 assessments onwards.
Will this mean changes to teaching and learning completed for these units so far?
There shouldn’t be any impact on the preparation you have done so far for these units because these are only changes to the length of the external assessments.
From now on, you may want to give your learners the chance to practise with the Sample Assessment Material, starting with their preferred science.
Which qualifications do these changes apply to?
The changes apply to units in these qualifications:
QN |
Title |
BTEC Level 3 National Certificate in Applied Science |
|
BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Applied Science |
|
BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma in Applied Science |
|
BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Applied Science |
|
BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Applied Science |
|
BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma in Forensic Investigation |
If you have any questions about this, please contact us at TeachingScience@pearson.com or on 020 7010 2190.
BTEC Level 3 Nationals in Art and Design (2016) – improvements to the instructions for external tasks
We’ve updated our Sample Assessment Materials to make the instructions around externally assessed tasks clearer.
Here’s a summary of what’s changed for each unit so you’re clear what you and your learners will need to do when preparing for the next assessment.
What has changed?
Monitoring learner work: For Unit 1, 2, 6 and 7, teachers and tutors will need to monitor learner work under informal supervision during the preparatory period to ensure learners’ work can be authenticated.
Notes for use in supervised assessment: For Unit 2 we have amended what is permitted in terms of preparatory notes.
Which units are affected and where can I find the updated Sample Assessment Materials (SAMs)?
You can see examples of all the changes in the updated Sample Assessment Materials (SAMs):
Do the changes apply immediately?
Yes – these changes are now live and will apply to the 2018 assessments onwards.
Will this mean changes to teaching and learning completed for these units so far?
These changes are about the assessment period and will not impact any teaching and learning that has taken place. You will need to plan the assessment period to ensure that there is appropriate informal supervision. For Unit 2 the way in which learners may prepare notes has changed and you will want to work with learners on producing and using the summary notes of their contextual research.
Which qualifications do these changes apply to?
The changes apply to units in these qualifications:
QN | Title |
603/0448/0 | Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Certificate in Art and Design |
601/7228/9 | Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Art and Design |
601/7230/7 | Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma in Art and Design |
603/0447/9 | Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Art and Design |
601/7229/0 | Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Art and Design |
601/7226/5 | Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Graphics |
601/7227/7 | Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Photography |
601/7225/3 | Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Fashion Design and Production |
601/7224/1 | Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in 3D Design and Crafts |
If you have any questions about this, please contact us at TeachingArtandDesign@pearson.com or on 020 7010 2181.
We have made some minor clarifications to the assessment for the unit Business Decision-making, which is numbered Unit 7 in the BTEC Level 3 Nationals in Business and Unit 6 in the BTEC Level 3 Nationals in Enterprise & Entrepreneurship.
- Learners will be required to create a ‘formal report’, rather than a ‘business plan in the style of a formal report’, which is in line with the current mark scheme requirements.
- There will be additional guidance for learners on marks available, based on the assessment foci that they will be assessed against, as well the number of marks for each assessment focus, in Activity 1.
What this means for you
To see examples of the above, please see the updated Sample Assessment Material on the specification page for Business and Enterprise. It is worth ensuring your learners are aware of these updates.
These updates apply with immediate effect and will apply to the 2018 assessment series onwards.
The minor updates help to clarify the existing activities, so should not impact teaching and preparation done to date for this unit.
Please see below for a list of qualifications affected:
QN | Title |
601/7160/1 | BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Business |
601/7528/X | BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Enterprise and Entrepreneurship |
603/0303/7 | BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Enterprise and Entrepreneurship |
If you have any questions about this, please contact us at TeachingBusiness@pearson.com or on 020 7010 2182.
As communicated earlier this year (please see website notice here), we wanted to remind centres that the task-taking conditions for Unit 2: Development of Children’s Communication, Literacy, and Numeracy Skills in the BTEC Level 3 Nationals in Children’s Play, Learning and Development have changed for the January 2018 assessment onwards. The key change is that Part B will be undertaken in a Pearson timetabled session.
It is expected that some of learners’ preparatory work for Part A will be in scheduled lessons or timetabled sessions.
What does this mean for you?
These minor changes will not affect any teaching or preparation done to date. We recommend that you check the exam timetable to see the dates for the assessments to be undertaken.
These changes apply with immediate effect and will apply to the January 2018 series onwards.
To see the updated Sample Assessment Materials (SAMs) on the specification page.
Please see below for a list of qualifications affected:
QN | Title |
601/7569/2 | Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Children's Play, Learning and Development |
601/7571/0 | Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Children's Play, Learning and Development (Early Years Educator) |
601/7572/2 | Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Children's Play, Learning and Development (Early Years Educator) |
601/7570/9 | Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma in Children's Play, Learning and Development |
If you have any questions about this, please contact us at TeachingChildcare@pearson.com or on 020 7010 2162 |
BTEC Level 3 Nationals in Engineering (2016) – improvement to Sample Assessment Materials
After listening to feedback from schools and colleges following the summer 2017 exam series, we’ve reviewed the content, structure and types of questions for Unit 1 Engineering Principles.
Through the awarding process in summer 2017, the grade boundaries were set at an appropriate level for the demand of the paper, which ensured learners received grades that reflected their performance. However, we have made improvements that will mean learners are better rewarded for the knowledge and understanding they demonstrate in the assessment.
Here’s a summary of what’s changed so you’re clear what you and your learners need to do differently when preparing for the next assessment.
What has changed?
Changes to specification content: In Unit 1: Engineering Principles, we’ve removed Topic D2 Thermodynamic systems and made a few minor clarifications to the content.
Changes in the SAMs: Section B now focuses on mechanical principles and Section C on electrical and electronic principles.
Approaches to calculation questions: There are fewer calculation questions. We’ve revised the presentation of the questions and the mark schemes so learners will be better rewarded for the method they apply to solving a calculation.
Which unit is affected, and where can I find updated specifications and Sample Assessment Materials (SAMs)?
There’s a new table near the front of the specifications which summarises all the changes, and we’ve updated the SAMs to show the different potential approaches to live assessments:
BTEC Nationals in Engineering (2016 and 2017) specifications
Unit 1: Engineering Principles Sample Assessment Materials (SAMs)
Do the changes apply immediately?
Yes – these changes are live now and will apply to the January 2018 assessment onwards.
Will this mean changes to teaching and learning completed for this unit so far?
There won’t be any impact on the preparation you’ve completed so far for this unit. From now on you won’t need to teach Topic D2 Thermodynamic systems.
Which qualifications do these changes apply to?
The changes apply to Unit 1 in these qualifications:
QN | Title |
601/7854/9 | BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Engineering |
601/7591/6 | BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma in Engineering |
601/7580/1 | BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Engineering |
601/7579/5 | BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Electrical and Electronic Engineering |
601/7583/7 | BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering |
601/7582/5 | BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Manufacturing Engineering |
601/7578/3 | BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Computer Engineering |
601/7577/1 | BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Aeronautical Engineering |
601/7588/6 | BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Engineering |
601/7587/4 | BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Electrical and Electronic Engineering |
601/7590/4 | BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Mechanical Engineering |
601/7589/8 | BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Manufacturing Engineering |
601/7586/2 | BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Computer Engineering |
601/7585/0 | BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Aeronautical Engineering |
If you have any questions about this, please contact us at TeachingEngineering@Pearson.com or on 020 7010 2170.
BTEC Level 3 Nationals in Information Technology (2016) – improvement to Sample Assessment Materials
After listening to feedback from schools and colleges following the summer 2017 exam series, we’ve reviewed the number and styles of questions for Unit 1: Information Technology Systems.
Through the awarding process in summer 2017, the grade boundaries were set at an appropriate level for the demand of the paper, which ensured learners received grades that reflected their performance. However, we have made improvements that will mean learners are better rewarded for the knowledge and understanding they demonstrate in the assessment.
Here’s a summary of what’s changed so you’re clear what you and your learners need to do when preparing for the next assessment.
What has changed?
Question styles: We have introduced questions that use the command word ‘describe’ so this word may be used in future assessments.
Extended response questions: The number of extended response questions within the paper will be reduced.
Which unit is affected, and where can I find updated specifications and Sample Assessment Materials (SAMs)?
There’s a new table near the front of the specifications which summarises all the changes, and we’ve updated the SAMs to show the different potential approaches to live assessments:
Do the changes apply immediately?
Yes – these changes are live now and will apply to the January 2018 assessment onwards.
Will this mean changes to teaching and learning completed for this unit so far?
There is no impact on teaching and learning as the content of the unit is unchanged. You may want to use the revised SAMs to prepare learners to answer ‘describe’ questions.
Which qualifications do these changes apply to?
The changes apply to Unit 1 in these qualifications:
QN | Title |
601/7575/8 | BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Information Technology |
601/7574/6 | BTEC Level 3 National Certificate in Information Technology |
603/0454/6 | BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Information Technology |
603/0455/8 | BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Information Technology |
601/7576/X | BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma in Information Technology |
If you have any questions about this, please do email our specialist team at TeachingICT@Pearson.com or give us a ring on 020 7010 2188.
BTEC Level 3 Nationals in Performing Arts (2016) – amendments to external tasks
We’ve updated our Sample Assessment Materials to make the instructions around externally assessed tasks clearer.
Here’s a summary of what’s changed for each unit so you’re clear what you and your learners will need to do when preparing for the next assessment.
What has changed?
Monitoring learner work: For units 3, 5 and 7, teachers and tutors will need to monitor learner work under informal supervision during the preparatory period to ensure learners’ work can be authenticated.
Marking grid: In addition for Unit 5, we’ve amended the marking grid for activity 1 to allow learners to be rewarded for their research.
Which units are affected and where can I find the updated Sample Assessment Materials (SAMs)?
You can see examples of all the changes in the updated Sample Assessment Materials (SAMs):
Do the changes apply immediately?
Yes – these changes are now live and will apply to the 2018 assessments onwards.
Will this mean changes to teaching and learning completed for these units so far?
There shouldn’t be any impact on the preparation you have done so far for these units as the changes are mainly clarifications to the conditions under which learners take the assessment.
Which qualifications do these changes apply to?
The changes apply to units in these qualifications:
QN | Title |
601/7232/0 | Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Performing Arts |
601/7234/4 | Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Performing Arts |
BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Performing Arts | |
BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma in Performing Arts |
If you have any questions about this, please do email our specialist subject team at at TeachingPerformingArts@pearson.com or give us a ring on 020 7010 2189.
BTEC Level 3 Nationals in Sport (2016) – improvement to Sample Assessment Materials
After listening to feedback from schools and colleges following the summer 2017 exam series, we’ve reviewed the number of marks and styles of questions for Unit 1: Anatomy and Physiology.
Through the awarding process in summer 2017, the grade boundaries were set at an appropriate level for the demand of the paper, which ensured learners received grades that reflected their performance. However, we have made improvements to allow learners to complete the assessment in the time given.
Here’s a summary of what’s changed so you’re clear what you and your learners need to do when preparing for the next assessment.
What has changed?
Number of questions and marks: We’ve reduced the number of questions which will mean learners are better able to complete the assessment in the allocated time. As a result of this change, the total for the paper has been reduced by 10 marks.
Where can I find updated Sample Assessment Materials (SAMs)?
You can see examples of all the changes in the updated Sample Assessment Materials (SAMs) for Unit 1.
Do the changes apply immediately?
Yes – these changes are now live and will apply to January 2018 assessments onwards.
Will this mean changes to teaching and learning completed for these units so far?
There shouldn’t be any impact on the preparation you have done so far for this unit as these changes only affect the number of questions and marks in the assessment.
Which qualifications do these changes apply to?
The changes apply to units in these qualifications:
QN | Title |
603/0458/3 | BTEC Level 3 National Certificate in Sport |
601/7218/6 | BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Sport |
601/7220/4 | BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma in Sport |
603/0460/1 | BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Sport |
603/0459/5 | BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma Sport |
601/7215/0 | BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Fitness Services |
If you have any questions about this, please contact us at teachingpeandsport@pearson.com or on 020 7010 2188.
BTEC Level 3 Nationals in Sport and Exercise Science (2016) -– improvement to Sample Assessment Materials
After listening to feedback from schools and colleges following the summer 2017 exam series, we’ve reviewed the number of marks and styles of questions for:
Unit 1: Sport and Exercise Physiology
Unit 2: Functional Anatomy
in the BTEC Level 3 Nationals in Sport & Exercise Science (2016).
Through the awarding process in summer 2017, the grade boundaries were set at an appropriate level for the demand of the paper, which ensured learners received grades that reflected their performance. However, we have made improvements to allow learners to complete the assessment in the time given.
Here’s a summary of what’s changed so you’re clear what you and your learners need to do when preparing for the next assessment.
What has changed and which units are affected?
Total marks for the papers: We’ve reduced the number of marks for both papers by 10 by adjusting some of the types of questions so they are clearer for learners taking the assessment. The mark schemes have been updated to reflect these changes.
Take a look at the updated Sample Assessment Materials in the units where we’ve made these changes:
Do the changes apply immediately?
Yes – these changes are live now and will apply to the 2018 assessments onwards.
Will this mean changes to teaching and learning completed for this unit so far?
There won’t be any impact on the preparation you’ve completed so far for these units, as the changes only affect the marks allocated in the assessments.
Which qualifications do these changes apply to?
The changes apply to Units 1 and 2 in these qualifications:
QN | Title |
601/7421/3 | BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Sport and Exercise Science |
603/0459/5 | BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Sport and Exercise Science |
If you have any questions about this, please contact us at teachingpeandsport@pearson.com or on 020 7010 2188.