November 2023 BTEC Business update

There is an updated version of the Assessment Record template for BTEC Entry – Level 3, these can be accessed on the BTEC forms and guides webpage.

This template now includes an updated authenticity declaration to include acknowledgement of any use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools. This form is provided for immediate use.

If you design and use your own Assessment Record, please ensure this is updated to replicate the authenticity statement in our template/s.

This could be a useful page to bookmark to stay up to date.

The 2023-2024 Centre Guides have all been uploaded.

The grade statistics for BTEC qualifications are published in late October/early November on the grade statistics page of the website.

These statistics can be used for benchmarking purposes. Please note that in line with all qualifications, learner achievement is reported at qualification level and not at unit level.

What to teach?

Here the answer is simple.  Please teach all of the specification content.

What to assess?

The BTEC Centre Guide to Internal Assessment states:

Do Assignment Briefs need to cover all unit/component content?

No. Your assignment brief needs to cover just what is being assessed so no need to include the entire unit content.

All unit/component content needs to be taught, where relevant, to provide learners with the breadth and depth to their studies. There is no formula for how much content needs to be assessed.

The amount of content the learner will need to refer to will depend on the specific requirements of the actual assignment and the requirements of the assessment criteria and associated assessment guidance which can sometimes prescribe which areas of the unit/component content needs to be assessed.

Section 6 of the BTEC National specifications includes the following:

As assignments provide a final assessment, they will draw on the specified range of teaching content for the learning aims. The specified content is compulsory. The evidence for assessment need not cover every aspect of the teaching content as learners will normally be given particular examples, case studies or contexts in their assignments. For example, if a learner is carrying out one practical performance, or an investigation of one organisation, then they will address all the relevant range of content that applies in that instance.

On 28 March, JCQ released a document which provides teachers and assessors with the information they need to manage use of AI in assessments. This guidance applies to all our qualifications including vocational qualifications.

Important points to note:

• centres should explain the importance of students submitting their own independent work
  
• centres should ensure that teachers and assessors are familiar with AI tools and their risks
  
• centres should consider communications with parents/carers to make them aware of AI
  
• students must acknowledge use of AI when used
  
• misuse of AI tools is malpractice.
  

Within the document, there is a list of potential indicators of AI use that may help identify work where students have misused AI.

Please do take a look at this guidance.

The terminal requirement is that internally assessed components (Components 1 and 2) must be sat either prior to or in the same series as the external assessment. So Component 3 has to be the last thing a learner does.

Therefore, if Component 3 is entered in January, Components 1 and 2 will already have to have been completed. 

This flow chart helps to explain different scenarios:

Walkthrough videos which explore how the teaching and learning can be linked to preparation for assessment.

The BTEC Bitesize BTEC Tech Award in Enterprise videos

• How to select appropriate ​enterprises Component 1
• How to prepare learners to use their time effectively Component 1
• Component 1 Task 1 best practice
• Component 1 Task 2 best practice
• Component 1 Task 3 best practice
• Alternative evidence requirements for Components 1 and 2
• Exploring enterprise ideas for Component 2
• Best practice for Component 2 Task 1
• Best practice for Component 2 Task 2
• Preparing learners to use time well Component 2 Task 1
• Overlaps in content between Components 1, 2 and 3
• How to prepare learners to use their time effectively during Component 2 Task 2
  
• Presenting Component 2 Task 2

The Key Dates 2023-2024 document provides all the key dates you need to know when running the PSAs (Pearson Set Assignments).

Following your feedback, we will be releasing all Enterprise Pearson Set Assignments one month earlier within each series. The Key Dates document includes the PSA release dates, entry deadlines and submission deadlines.

Exemplar Standardisation Materials based on work produced for PSAs is now availale for both components..

Please use the zip files dated 2023.

Learners can retake internally assessed components once during their course.

If learners are retaking internally assessed components, they must respond to the new PSA released for that series. Learners are permitted to adapt work from their initial sitting where it is appropriate. They can use the full allocated time, including monitored preparation where applicable, and if they choose to adapt work from their initial sitting, they will need to repurpose, build upon and/or amend their work to meet the new PSA. Learners should not be overly guided on how to improve their work, and if assistance is provided, this should be documented and considered during assessment.

For further information, centres should follow the JCQ Guidance with particular attention paid to sections 2 and 17.

The 2022 Tech Awards FAQs page is now live.

Go to the FAQ page

Pearson publishing have two revision resources.

The Component 3 entry code is BEN03.

In light of the BTEC Business and other VQ Business, Enterprise, Marketing qualifications being withdrawn in 2026, we would like to understand what your portfolio of curriculum may look like and would appreciate your feedback in order to steer our thinking and development. Many thanks for taking the time to complete this.

The BTEC National specifications have been revised for the 2023-2024 academic year.

There is a list at the front of each specification with a notification of the changes.

The BTEC Works site can help with recruitment of learners.

Free student livestreams on a variety of Unit 3 topics start on Monday 25 September at 18.00 and continue on subsequent Mondays until the end of November.

This page provides an overview of the reforms and will be updated as and when new information becomes available.

The funding checklists below for 16-19 year olds give you a comprehensive view of funding  which takes us up to the cohort starting in 2025.

This will give you clarity on how the recent updates on funding for BTEC Level 3 affect your centre and learners.

As part of the Level 3 Vocational Qualification reforms we would like to invite you to help influence the next generation of BTEC Nationals. We want to ensure we capture the teacher and learner voice in our qualifications and support materials.

This is your opportunity to have your say and get involved.