Pearson statement on BTEC assessment

Following the announcement about changes to A Level and GCSE grading, Pearson have released the following statement about BTECs. If you have any concerns or questions about what this means for your college, please contact our Senior Policy Manager, Cath Sezen. Pearson statement on BTECs “BTECs are structured very differently to A levels, and so the approach to awarding is also different. BTECs were not subject to the same statistical moderation process as A levels. BTECs comprise modular units that students complete and are assessed at regular stages during their course of study, so prior to March 2020, students had already banked graded units for their qualification. As we do every year, this year we asked centres to submit all the grades for the internal assessment units that had been completed as well as any grades for units still to be completed. These were accepted with very little change following quality assurance checks. They then formed part of the evidence, alongside previously completed assessment unit grades, to award grades for the externally assessed units and the final overall qualification grade. For the very small number of grades that were adjusted, we will be reviewing them on a case by case basis with centres following the same principles as those announced today. This is why we have seen very stable outcomes for BTEC and other vocational qualifications. As in every year, students unhappy with their final grade can appeal."