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Monitoring centre practice, supporting independent assessment review
What is External Examination?
- External Examination is the form of Standards Verification undertaken for BTEC Level 4 and 5 Higher Nationals, BTEC Foundation Art and Design and other professional qualifications at levels 4 and above.
- Standards Verification is the way in which we check that centres are operating quality assurance and assessing to the right standards. External Examination relates to centres operating programmes in the manner associated with higher education or qualifications in a professional context.
- Standards Verifiers (EEs) will work with centres to support them in demonstrating that they are working to the standards and addressing areas of weakness through providing advice and information.
- The Standards Verifier (EE) will also address how far centre-wide processes and procedures are being applied effectively and consistently in that programme area.
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Why is it important?
- To provide thorough review of assessment and verification against national standards and over time.
- To ensure that correct processes and procedures are being applied, consistent with qualifications at higher levels.
- To encourage centres to continue to deliver best practice in vocational assessment.
- To provide a detailed report on verification and assessment practice for the relevant programmes.
Who is involved?
- For your centre: the Programme Leader, members of the team of assessors and verifiers, and your Quality Nominee.
- For Edexcel: the Standards Verifier (EE).
When does it take place?
- Normally, External Examination takes place through an annual visit which may be timed to fit with your centre’s assessment board processes towards the end of the academic year.
How does it work?
- The Standards Verifier (EE) will contact your Quality Nominee as soon as they have been allocated - normally towards the end of the autumn term. The Quality Nominee should contact the relevant centre managers and Programme Leaders.
- An appropriate visit date and visit plan are agreed. The Standards Verifier (EE) will submit a copy of this visit plan to your centre.
- The Standards Verifier (EE) works collaboratively with your centre to consider and review the quality of the assessment planning, the validity of the assessment decisions and the consistency of the assessment process.
- A report on the effectiveness of processes and assessment decisions is produced by the Standards Verifier (EE). Where necessary, certification may be blocked until appropriate remedial action is taken.
Where can I find out more?