Level 3

There are various start dates during the academic year. Attendance is required at an induction/training day and a follow up half day, after which all other teaching, learning and assessment is arranged on an individual basis.

The start dates for the 2025/26 academic year are Wednesday 3 September 2025, Monday 12 January 2026 and Monday 20 April 2026 at West Suffolk College in Bury St Edmunds.

This qualification comprises three units, a knowledge unit about the principles and practices of assessment (Unit 1) and two performance units.

For Unit 2 the assessor-trainee must be assessing learners' occupational competence in a real place of work. The assessor-trainee and the learners can be employed or volunteers, but the assessor-trainee must be able to assess at least two learners on at least two occasions. The assessor-trainee must be using, as a minimum, observation, examination of work products and questioning when assessing their learners.

For Unit 3 the assessor-trainee must be assessing vocational skills and knowledge in an environment that is not the learner's workplace: it should be a training environment such as a classroom or workshop and assessor-trainee must be able to assess at least two learners on at least two occasions. They will assess the learner using methods such as simulation, skills tests, case studies, assignments, projects and oral/written questions.

The Award has a 15-credit value and is usually assessed through a combination of assessment methods: observation of real assessment activities, knowledge assignments, examination of work products (the documents completed as part of the assessment of learners), questioning and professional discussion. It usually takes 9 to 12 months to achieve.

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