Changes to Level 3 Retail Knowledge tests
We're making small changes to the tests for the Level 3 BTEC Award, Certificate and Diploma in Retail Knowledge (QCF), to take effect from Friday 4 April.
Test 1 previously covered two units (26 and 27). It will now only cover unit 26. Unit 27 will be covered by test 8. In some other tests, we have changed the numbers of questions asked and increased or decreased the time allowed for the test accordingly.
The questions are still based on the same content.
We've made these changes in response to Ofqual regulation 1.9, which states that all units must be capable of assessment independently of any other unit. Currently, with combined tests, learners may meet all assessment criteria relating to one unit but fail to meet the assessment criteria in the second unit. This would result in a unit fail and the learner would need to retake the test again. Ofqual decided this was over-assessment, creating a disadvantage to the learner.
We made similar changes to the Level 2 Retail Knowledge tests in spring 2013.
See below for tables showing the current structure and the structure that will go live on Friday 4 April.
Current structure
| Test number | Unit names | Number of questions | Duration of test |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 26 – Understanding customer service in the retail sector
27 - Understanding the management of risks to health and safety on the premises of a retail business |
40 | 60 minutes |
| 2 | 28 - Understanding security and loss prevention in a retail business | 30 | 45 minutes |
| 3 | 29 - Understanding how the smooth operation of a payment point is maintained | 30 | 45 minutes |
| 4 | 30 - Understanding the retail selling process | 20 | 45 minutes |
| 5 | 31 - Understanding the management of stock in a retail business | 30 | 45 minutes |
| 6 | 32 - Understanding the development of personal and team effectiveness in a retail business | 20 | 45 minutes |
| 7 | 33 - Understanding how the effectiveness of store operations can be improved | 30 | 45 minutes |
The new structure will be: (changes are in bold)
| Test number | Unit names | Number of questions | Duration of test |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 26 – Understanding customer service in the retail sector | 20 | 35 minutes |
| 2 | 28 - Understanding security and loss prevention in a retail business | 30 | 45 minutes |
| 3 | 29 - Understanding how the smooth operation of a payment point is maintained | 20 | 35 minutes |
| 4 | 30 - Understanding the retail selling process | 20 | 35 minutes |
| 5 | 31 - Understanding the management of stock in a retail business | 30 | 45 minutes |
| 6 | 32 - Understanding the development of personal and team effectiveness in a retail business | 20 | 45 minutes |
| 7 | 33 - Understanding how the effectiveness of store operations can be improved | 20 | 35 minutes |
| 8 | 27 - Understanding the management of risks to health and safety on the premises of a retail business |
20 | 35 minutes |