We have reviewed our guidance relating the assessment duration for some of the assessment tasks within our Level 4 and Level 5 qualifications.
Ensuring a standardised approach to this aspect of the assessment process will help to make sure candidates’ enjoy an equitable experience. It will only impact assessment tasks within each qualification for which an assessment duration has been allocated.
What should candidates expect?
When introducing assessment tasks to the candidate, Internal Assessors must share informaton about the stated duration of the assessed task. Where relevant, these can be found in the instructions for individual assessment tasks.
At the time of the assessment, the assessor (whether internal or external) should confirm the stated duration of the assessment, including how this may be apportioned for different components e.g. 15mins for the presentation followed by 5-10mins for questions.
What discretion is available to the assessor?
If the assessment duration has been reached and the candidate is in the middle of a sentence, assessors are permitted to apply a discretionary +10% to the stated allocated time so that the candidate can conclude their point.
What should I do if I am worried that my candidate will struggle to complete the assessment within the allocated time?
If the required evidence of need can be provided, additional time can be requested using our - Access to assessment
process.
If evidence of need cannot be provided it is not possible to extend the allocated assessment duration.
Which assessment tasks include an assessment duration?