Science
FAQs for BTEC National AAQ Applied Science
This update provides answers to frequently asked questions about delivering and assessing the Pearson BTEC National Applied Science (AAQ).
Topics covered in this update include:
- Guidance and training
- Resources and support materials
- Internal assessment
- External assessment
- Qualification grading
Upcoming training
Details of live training are available on the training page. As new training is confirmed, sessions will be added.
Recorded training
This training will help you prepare to deliver the BTEC National Applied Science (AAQ) qualification. The training provides a general run-through of internal and external assessment.
This recorded training explores the assessment criteria and requirements for internal assessment and addresses common issues and frequently asked questions.
More recorded training will be added onto our playlist as it becomes available.
Keep an eye on our YouTube channel for new recorded events
New to BTEC? Overview of the BTEC Delivery Cycle
Whether you're new to delivering BTEC qualifications or already work with them, our guide and infographic provide an overview of the key processes involved in the BTEC delivery cycle.
We have a BTEC Teaching, Learning and Assessment for page with the most up-to-date information and key dates for vocational assessment for this academic year.
Key dates, deadlines and term-time checkpoints for BTEC qualifications are available via the links below.
We have resources to help with planning and delivery, including:
- Planning and Teaching Guide
- Individual Unit Guides
- Scheme of Work
Transition guide
The mapping of the Pearson BTEC National AAQ Applied Science to the Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Applied Science specification is provided in our transition guide.
Published resources are available to support teaching. You can find the links below. Please note that there is no compulsory requirement to purchase or use Pearson's paid for resources.
The specification supplementary information should be used in conjunction with the specification documents.
No, but we do provide Centre Standardisation Materials. These materials support assessors in making assessment decisions and applying national standards consistently.
Additional standardisation materials are published each year to support ongoing standardisation activities.
The ‘Instructions for Teachers’ section at the start of each PSAB includes a list of practical equipment required for the procedures. While the list is not exhaustive, it provides a useful indication of the equipment needed.
We also have videos to help with delivering the practical requirements for Physics tasks in Unit 4.
BTEC National Applied Science - Task 3A: Investigating the rate of transfer of thermal energy
( 7.37 )
BTEC National Applied Science - Task 3B: Investigating resistivity in electrical circuits
( 7.18 )
BTEC National Applied Science - Task 3c: Energy transfer from a renewable resource
( 5.20 )
Youtube Video Title
Youtube video contentRelated Videos
BTEC National Applied Science - Task 3A: Investigating the rate of transfer of thermal energy
( 7.37 )
BTEC National Applied Science - Task 3B: Investigating resistivity in electrical circuits
( 7.18 )
BTEC National Applied Science - Task 3c: Energy transfer from a renewable resource
( 5.20 )
BTEC Quality Assurance support and guidance
Book with a Vocational Quality Assurance Manager (VQAM)
You can book a 15-minute appointment with your Vocational Quality Assurance Manager (VQAM) to discuss quality assurance queries at any point during the academic year.
You can also refer to the Centre Guide on Quality Assurance.
You can also visit the Quality Assurance page for all our support and available guides.
If you're delivering eligible BTEC Level 3 Nationals to students starting in September 2026, you'll need to complete a digital assessment plan by 13 November 2026.
The Digital Assessment Plan (DAP) is a web-based tool that supports assessment planning and quality assurance for BTEC programmes. It replaces the traditional Excel-based assessment plan and provides a central location for managing qualification assessment and quality assurance activities throughout delivery. The DAP can be updated throughout the year and provides version control and a clear audit trail of any changes.
For detailed guidance, see the digital assessment plan centre user guide.
You can also attend digital assessment plan training and drop-in sessions for support and guidance.
Visit the webpage below to download the forms you need.
Use the Quality Assurance Year Planner for an overview of key quality assurance activities and deadlines throughout the academic year.
We also offer informal online Quality Assurance Catch-ups, providing a quick reminder of where you and your staff should be within the quality assurance calendar.
Yes. Students can resit external unit assessments. Students have up to three opportunities to take each external assessment (the original sitting plus two resits). For example, a student may take an external assessment in Year 12 and then have further opportunities to resit in Year 13.
The external units (Units 1-3) are separate components and are entered individually.
Students receive a separate unit grade for each external unit. If a student does not achieve the grade they were hoping for in one external unit, they can be entered to resit that unit only.
They do not need to retake all external units.
Students have up to three opportunities to take each external assessment (the original sitting plus two resits).
Additional Sample Assessment Materials
We have an extra set of Sample Assessment Materials available to download from the qualification page.
Planning and Teaching Guide
You may use the Planning and Teaching Guide with updated guidance to help with teaching the external Units 1-3.
You can download the updated guide from the course materials page, under ‘Teaching and Learning Materials’.
examWizard
examWizard is an online resource containing a bank of past paper questions to help you create your own mock exams and tests. It’s available for GCSE, A Level subjects, and BTEC, so you can select suitable questions to prepare your own mocks and tests.
Exam Timetables
Timetables for all qualifications can be accessed from the link below.
The provisional timetables are shared on our website as they become available.
Yes. You can use the BTEC grade calculator to:
- calculate the overall qualification grade based on a learner's unit results
- model different outcomes by entering potential unit grades and points
The points tables and qualification grade thresholds are published in the specification in the 'Understanding the qualification grade' section. The qualification grade is determined by the learner's total points across all required units.
The points and thresholds provided in the Extended Certificate specification are below for your convenience.
Points awarded for internal units
The table below shows the number of points available for internal units. For each internal unit, points are allocated depending on the grade awarded.
| Grade | Points |
| Unclassified | 0 |
| Pass | 9 |
| Merit | 15 |
| Distinction | 24 |
Points available for external units
The table below shows the minimum number of points required for each grade in an external unit. External unit grades cover a range of points, with higher performance within a grade contributing additional points towards the overall qualification grade. For example, a learner achieving a Pass could receive between 6 and 9 points depending on their performance within the grade boundary.
| Grade | Points |
| Unclassified | 0 |
| Near Pass | 4 |
| Pass | 6 |
| Merit | 10 |
| Distinction | 16 |
Raw marks from external assessments are converted into qualification points once grade boundaries have been set. Pearson will automatically calculate and award the appropriate number of points for each external unit based on the learner's performance.
Award of qualification grade
Pearson will automatically calculate the qualification grade for your students once the internal unit grades have been submitted and the qualification claim has been made.
Students will be awarded a qualification grade once they achieve the required points total and meet the qualification requirements.
The table below shows the minimum points thresholds required for each qualification grade.
| Grade | Points |
| Unclassified | 0 |
| Pass | 36 |
| Merit | 52 |
| Distinction | 74 |
| Distinction* | 90 |
As mentioned above, external unit grades are not worth a fixed number of points. For example, a Pass in an external unit can contribute between 6 and 9 points, while a Merit can contribute between 10 and 15 points. A learner's exact points score from each external assessment contributes towards their overall qualification grade.
Refer to the 'Understanding the qualification grade' section of the specification for full guidance on qualification grading and points.
If you would like to model a learner's overall qualification grade using their unit outcomes, please refer to the BTEC National (AAQ) grade calculator.
We have removed the N grade (near-pass) hurdle for externally assessed units in all Level 3 BTEC National AAQs.
This change means students can achieve the qualification with a U grade in external units, as long as they have gained sufficient points to meet the minimum threshold for a Pass at qualification level. The N grade remains available in externally assessed units, contributing points towards the qualification grade and providing an additional level of differentiation between the Pass and Unclassified grades, but is no longer a hurdle to qualification achievement.
The specification was updated to reflect this change.
Subject advisor
Irine Muhiuddin and Tim Lawrence
UK and International Science
Subject updates
-
International Science Qualification News September 2026
Hello colleagues,
Welcome back to a new academic year! I hope those of you who are returning from a holiday have had some quality rest and relaxation, and that you are looking forward to working with your students in the year ahead. This update repeats some key information you may have missed from the past couple of months including links to key results support for those of you analysing results or supporting students who sat exams in May and June. There's also a reminder that we are looking for teachers to help us improve our IAL science courses, links to find the IAL Biology scientific articles for the October Unit 5 exam, and 'onboarding guides' for anyone new to teaching our IAL courses. You'll also find the usual key dates, upcoming training and FAQs below.
As ever, don't hesitate to get in touch if I can help in any way - why not book a Teams call with me (follow the link below) if it would be helpful to talk something over?
Best wishes,
Tim Lawrence
Pearson Edexcel Subject Advisor for International Science Qualifications -
September 2026 Teaching Science update
Welcome back to a new academic year.
I hope you've had a good Summer break. As we begin a new term, this update brings together the latest news, guidance and resources to help support your planning and teaching of Pearson Edexcel Science qualifications. I hope you'll find it useful as you prepare for the year ahead.
Best wishes,
Irine Muhiuddin
Science Subject Advisor