Regulating post-16 VTQs at L2 and L3

Synoptic assessment

Given the purpose of these qualifications, we think it is important that awarding organisations consider the intended vocational nature of V Levels, and the importance for students of being able to demonstrate and apply their overall knowledge, understanding and skills, from across the course of study, in realistic contexts. We would expect opportunities to do this to exist across all assessment methods. To support progression to higher level study and training, we also think it is important students have the opportunity to produce developed responses where they can demonstrate extended reasoning. 

Proposal

With this in mind, we propose to require that in designing assessments, awarding organisations ensure students have opportunities to:

• demonstrate the ability to draw together different areas of knowledge, understanding and/or skills from across the full course of study
• produce developed responses which allow them to construct a sustained line of reasoning – or an equivalent logical sequence, depending on the nature of the task – which is coherent, relevant and effectively structured
• demonstrate knowledge, understanding and skills in response to authentic, vocationally-related contexts and scenarios

The approach taken to meet these requirements is likely to vary by subject. We do not propose to specify any weightings for these requirements. Awarding organisations may therefore take different approaches, but we would expect students to be required to demonstrate them in both timetabled assessment and the other forms of assessment.

Our proposed Condition VL6 and associated requirements and guidance are set out in Annex A.