Ofqual has confirmed today how technical and vocational qualifications will be assessed this summer.
The exams regulator set out its proposals in late April and opened the plan for consultation from the wider sector. The consultation closed on 8 May.
In its guidance today, Ofqual set out which technical and vocational qualifications will have calculated grades, modified assessments or a mixture of both.
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Ofqual’s proposed regulatory framework will be introduced as originally proposed, with qualifications being split into three categories: those used for progression to further or higher education; qualifications that are used to signal occupational competence; and qualifications with a “mixed” purpose.
Qualifications used for progression to further or higher education would receive calculated results judged by teachers.
For qualifications that are used to signal occupational competence, adjustments to assessment should be made.
If qualifications have a mixed purpose, awarding bodies will have to consider which of the above categories the qualification is most closely aligned with and then either give a calculated result with an adapted assessment potentially being made available where this is not possible, or provide an adapted assessment.
Sally Collier, Ofqual chief regulator, said: “In the vast majority of cases this summer, learners taking other general, vocational and technical qualifications will be able to progress in their studies or employment with calculated grades or having taken an adapted assessment.
“Our new interactive tool will help learners, and the users of these qualifications, understand what’s happening with the qualifications which matter to them, so they have the certainty they need to move on in their lives.”
David Hughes, chief executive of the Association of Colleges, said: “AoC welcomes the Ofqual consultation response on vocational and technical qualification assessment processes and procedures for summer 2020. The clarity on which qualifications are in scope and the approaches to be taken for each will be welcomed by colleges, as will the confirmation that qualifications such as independent living skills are in scope.
“In the short term, colleges may have questions about meeting awarding organisation deadlines. We recommend contacting awarding organisations as soon as possible if you have concerns about specific qualifications. You can also contact AoC at covid19@aoc.co.uk. In the longer term there may be questions about the autumn assessment series. AoC will continue to work with Ofqual, awarding organisations and their representative body, FAB to ensure that any autumn assessment is manageable for colleges where we anticipate social distancing measures will still be in place.”
