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 teaching, learning and assessment page for 2022-23 will keep you up to date with the latest news and information to support you delivering BTEC qualifications. 

This guide provides learners and parents with information about this year’s arrangements for qualifications regulated by Ofqual.  

We have published an updated version of the BTEC Instructions for Conducting External Assessments (ICEA) document.

This document provides you with the information you need to carry out external assessments, including who's responsible at each stage and additional advice around best practices, for BTEC Firsts, Tech Awards, Technicals and Nationals.

Please also refer to the individual subject administrative support guides (ASGs), which you can locate within the Course Materials section of each subject area.

For additional information, see our BTEC External Assessments article.

The BTEC Centre Guide to Standards verification includes information about

• the allocation of a Standards Verifier
• the BTEC Standards Verification Control Measures
• how sampling works and sample sizes
• accessing the SV report
• claiming Grades Post-Standards Verification

The key dates are provided below.

Would you be interested in applying to become a Moderator for the BTEC Level 1/2 Reformed Tech Award?

If you are unsure of what the role entails, what commitment is expected, and the benefits to your continuing professional development, and you would like more information, please watch our video below. The recording lasts for about 11 minutes, and outlines the expectations and responsibilities of the Moderator role. The video will give information to help you decide if you would like to go ahead and apply for the role.

If you are currently an Assessment Associate with Pearson, and you are interested in becoming a Moderator with the BTEC Tech Awards, please complete an expression of interest form by clicking on the button below.

If you are not currently an Assessment Associate with Pearson, but wish to apply for a BTEC Tech Award Moderator role, please click on the button below to complete an application form.

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  

Based on the initial series of the new Tech Awards, we have taken into account centre and moderator comments on verbal moderator feedback.  Centres told us that the draft written moderator report gave suffcient information, and that arranging a time to meet with the moderator was challenging.  Based on this, starting this May/June series, the moderator will provide feedback to the nominated Programme Lead through a draft moderator report once they have completed their moderation.  However, if there are significant issues with centre marking, the moderator will offer a verbal feedback session to clarify the report.

Where necessary, centres can then review their marks and submit amendments on Edexcel Online.  You are not required to make mark adjustments based on moderator feedback.  This is a service available to centres which allows them to apply feedback by reviewing marks immediately.  If you choose not to amend marks, the Pearson system will apply any necessary adjustments.  The final moderator report and the final marks will be available on Results Day.

This support page contains articles on:

• Registration & Entry processes
• Access Arrangements & Modified Papers
• Internal Assessment & Learner Work Transfer (LWT)
• Quality Assurance
• Further Support
• BTEC Tech Awards from 2022 Overview Video
  

Following your feedback, we will be releasing all Enterprise Pearson Set Assignments one month earlier within each series. This will give you more time to spend preparing for and administering the assessments. From September onwards, the Pearson Set Assignments will be released as follows:

December assessment series: early September

May assessment series: early January

The provisional dates for 2022-2023 registrations, entries and moderation of PSAs are now available in the document below.

The 2022 Tech Awards FAQs page is now live.

Go to the FAQ page.

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

Post 16 Level Reforms - what does it mean for BTEC?

This event is to update you on the latest news about the reform of post-16 level 3 vocational qualifications in England. This event will provide you with an overview of these reforms, and what we know so far about what they will mean for you and your post-16 level 3 vocational curriculum. The reforms do mean that the qualifications landscape will change for you and your learners over the coming years.

England

The funding checklist below for 16-19 year olds give you a comprehensive view of funding for England 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.

Wales and Northern Ireland

The reforms do not affect Wales and Northern Ireland. However, any changes we make to BTECs in England may affect the qualifications you offer in Wales and Northern Ireland.

Our funding guides for BTEC Level 3 qualifications in Wales and Northern Ireland offer a comprehensive picture of funding in the academic years 2023/24 and 2024/25. We will update these to include 2025/26 funding as soon as possible.

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.

We are planning the development of a new BTEC National in Sustainability that will focus on environment, economy and society.

Read about Sustainability Education

This qualification will go beyond the science of major issues such as the climate and include sustainable economies. As such, we are looking for feedback from any teachers delivering business at Level 3.

If you are willing to participate, please email daniel.freaker@pearson.com