Both BTEC First Awards in Applied Science have now been accredited by Ofqual.
Assessment structure
The new BTEC Level 1/Level 2 Firsts in Applied Science contain two forms of assessment:
- Internal Assessment: Teacher-led assessment remains at the heart of the BTEC Level 1/Level 2 Firsts
- External Assessment: Supporting teacher-led assessment; the right assessment for science.
Your Exams Officer can now make your external assessment bookings on Edexcel Online. Learn more.
External assessment: how it works
The new BTEC Level 1/Level 2 Firsts in Applied Science include externally assessed units comprising 25% of total assessment. We’ve designed the external assessment to be appropriate for the sector, reflecting the skills and aptitudes required for each profession.
The qualification is compensatory, meaning strong performance in one or more units can compensate for weaker performance in other units.
Externally assessed units in Level 1/Level 2 Firsts in Applied Science:
| Principles of Science 120 GLH |
Unit 1: Principles of Science (25%) |
Core |
Paper-based test offered three times a year.
Unit 1 assesses knowledge and application of principles of science vital to learning at Level 2. This test contains a variety of question types including objective questions, structured questions and calculations.
|
| Application of Science 120 GLH |
Unit 8: Scientific Skills (25%) |
Core |
Paper-based test offered three times a year.
Unit 8 assesses candidates’ skills in Planning, Processing and Forming Conclusions - skills most vital to effective scientific investigations.
|
Administration Guidance for NQF BTEC External Assessment paper-based tests
Important information about external assessment
The first external assessment for the BTEC Award in Principles of Applied Science will take place on the morning of Tuesday 18 June 2013. A further external assessment for Principles of Applied Science will take place in November 2013. From 2014, external assessment windows will be March, June and November.
The entry window for external assessment bookings for the June 2013 exam is now closed. The entry window for external assessment bookings the November 2013 exam will run from the beginning of September to the October 4th.