Assessment units

Level 3 Assessment

The assessment units form part of the Learning and Development qualifications and as a whole they are known as TAQA: Training, Assessment and Quality Assurance.  

Some awarding organisations use the term TAQA just to denote the assessment units, however, the assessment units are part of a full suite of qualifications. The qualifications are based on the National Occupational Standards for Learning and Development (NOS), now archived.

An additional unit for end-point assessment (EPA) and CPD modules are available for apprenticeship end-point assessors. 

End-point assessors of apprenticeship programmes are independent from the learning process and do not meet their learners until assessment takes place.

Whether you need to have an assessment qualification will be based on the subject you are/will be assessing. You will need to check the subject qualification specification to find out (available via the relevant awarding organisation's website). Not all subjects require assessors to hold an assessor qualification.

Achievement of the qualification will usually be by assignments, discussions and observations. Your observer does not need to know anything about the subject which you are assessing, as they are observing your assessment skills, not your subject skills.

Assessment units

The assessor qualifications contain three units at level 3, the first is knowledge based and the other two are performance based (i.e. theory and practice). 

The units can be achieved in any order and each has a credit value. Some assessment units can be used towards the teaching qualifications, however, rules apply regarding the credits and levels.

As the first unit is purely knowledge based, it can be taken prior to, or at the same time as the performance unit/s. It is ideal for anyone wanting to know what it’s like to be an assessor but who does not yet have anything to assess.

  • Unit 1 will lead to the Award in Understanding the Principles and Practices of Assessment (this is a theory unit only)

  • Units 1 and 2 will lead to the Award in Assessing Competence in the Work Environment (ACWE) 

  • Units 1 and 3 will lead to the Award in Assessing Vocationally Related Achievement (AVRA)

  • Units 1, 2 and 3 will lead to the Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (CAVA)

Unit 1. Understanding the principles and practices of assessment (3 credits) 

This is a knowledge based unit for new and existing assessors or anyone who wishes to know about the theory of assessment. You do not need to carry out any assessment activities with learners. This unit can be taken instead of the Award in Education and Training unit: Understanding assessment in education and training.

Unit 2. Assess occupational competence in the work environment (6 credits)

This is a performance unit for anyone who assesses in the learner's work environment using methods such as observations, questions and examining products of work. This unit is also a level 3 optional unit in the Certificate in Education and Training.

Unit 3. Assess vocational skills, knowledge and understanding (6 credits)

This is a performance unit for anyone who assesses in a workshop, classroom or other training/simulated environment (not in the workplace) using methods such as assignments, skills tests, projects, simulations and tests. This unit is also a level 3 optional unit in the Certificate in Education and Training. 

Support for the assessment qualification:

If you are working towards the assessment qualification, the following guidance may help you to complete each of the units. As soon as you checkout, you will receive a download link.

Information is available if you need to upgrade an older version of the qualification to a more recent one.

Assessment unit one - Guidance for completing the unit (£4.50) (Ref PGA01L3)

16 pages listing guidance and evidence which could be produced to meet the unit Understanding the principles and practices of assessment. 

Assessment unit two - Guidance for completing the unit (£4.50) (Ref PGA02L3)

9 pages listing guidance and evidence which could be produced to meet the unit Assess occupational competence in the work environment.

Assessment unit three - Guidance for completing the unit (£4.50) (Ref PGA03L3)

10 pages listing guidance and evidence which could be produced to meet the unit Assess vocational skills, knowledge and understanding.

More resources are available.

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