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Occupational specialisms
Please use the categories below to find the relevant answer to your question on occupational specialisms.
When can students sit the occupational specialism (OS)?
The occupational specialisms are designed to be completed in the students' second year, after they have completed the core component.
Are the tasks/assessments going to be separated or presented in one document?
Sample materials may include all tasks in one document. Live assessment materials are separated according to the dates in the Key Dates Schedule.
You do not need to separate the materials yourself. Assignments and tasks will already be organised in accordance with the relevant assessment dates.
Logistically, how will the assessments work?
For external assessments, we share the assessment materials three working days before the assessment window opens.
Assessment dates and Advanced Assessment Material release dates are published in the Key Dates Schedule and T Level Advanced Assessment Materials Key Dates guide.
Providers must treat OS assignments in the same way as all other external assessments. This means ensuring that:
- students are prepared in advance
- dates known and planned in advance
- assessments completed under the necessary conditions
- assessment material and student responses stored securely (even where material is shared and completed electronically)
- assessment responses returned to NCFE within the timescales required.
Does the assessment have to take place from the first day of the assessment window?
Unless the assessment is at a set date and time, it can take place at any point within the window at the provider's discretion.
Please check the the Key Dates Schedule carefully to ensure assessments are completed on time and in the correct sequence.
Do all students have to complete the assessment at the same time?
This varies between Occupational Specialisms. Key information can be found in the provider guide or tutor guide for the relevant qualification, as well as in the qualification specification.
How do I prevent students from disclosing information to each other if they sit the assessment on different days?
Guidance on managing assessment security is available in the relevant tutor guidance.
How do I apply and manage scheduling assessments for students who need extra time?
Take a look at our access arrangements and reasonable adjustment guidance for support with this.
Students who are entitled to additional time must be given this opportunity.When planning assessments, make sure additional time does not disadvantage students. You may need to:
- schedule assessments to avoid late finishes
- use supervised rest breaks where appropriate
- remind students that they do not need to use all of their additional time if they feel they have finished.
This helps ensure students can complete the assessment in a way that supports their usual way of working.
Can students take blank paper and pens into the exam?
Yes. Students can complete assignments digitally using a word processor or by hand using pen and paper.
If it has been agreed within your provider that any student will complete an assessment using pen and paper, then they must use black ink.
Some paper-based assignments include space for responses on the assessment paper. Others may require an NCFE supplementary booklet or an alternative JCQ-approved booklet.
Any handwritten responses must be clear and legible. Each page must include:
- the student's name
- the provider name
- the assessment title
- any other required identifying information.
After the assessment, providers must scan and upload all completed pages to NCFE.
Do we need to upload each task as it's completed or all work at the end of the window?
The provider must ensure that students submit their work at the end of each session. Providers can upload evidence either as each task is completed or all together at the end of the assessment window. However, all evidence must be uploaded to the Portal within three working days after the assessment window closes. Further guidance on uploading evidence is available in our file upload guidance.
Will students lose marks for incorrect referencing?
This depends on whether referencing is part of the assessment criteria/subject content statement. Please take a look at the tutor guidance.
Video recordings within the OS
I forgot to press record for the discussion – how should this be resolved?
If you noticed this during or immediately after the discussion, you should ask the student(s) to repeat the discussion and it is recorded.
If the student(s) have had feedback, completed the Q&A, or you only realise there is no recording significantly after the time of assessment, please fill out a special consideration form.
Please note: Re-recording is only an option if the mistake is realised during the discussion, or immediately after while the students are still in the room. Re-recording cannot be done at a later date, or if the student(s) have since received any form of feedback or completed Q&A (depending on the assessment/qualification).
We’ve been practising our recorded professional discussions using Microsoft Teams to record the task. Is this an acceptable way of achieving the task?
If using Microsoft Teams is the recognised and familiar way for students to complete these tasks, then it may be used for recording the assessment. It’s important to ensure that all other requirements and regulations are followed (such as controlling access to the internet as required). The audio produced should be clear and the student clearly visible where video evidence is listed as a requirement. The recordings must be able to be securely saved, stored, and submitted for marking.
How do we send our recording as part of the OS to you?
All learner evidence, including video recordings, should be uploaded via the ‘Bookings’ and ‘Upload learner evidence’ part of the Portal.