Online assessment | NCFE

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Online assessment

NCFE has an online assessment system (Surpass) that allows centres to deliver external assessments securely on-screen.

The system is free to use and gives you control over booking and managing your learners’ assessments. The system is secure and easy to use, and we have a full range of support guides plus our Customer Support team available to support you with using the system.

What does the online assessment system offer?

Ultimately, we want to make your life easier and your assessment process to run as smoothly as possible. That's why our online assessment system allows you to:

  • Easily gain approval, by completing the simple form below, and being set up and ready to go within 48 hours
  • Manage bookings easily as the system can be updated immediately with new registrations and any changes to bookings
  • Monitor your learners’ assessments as they’re booked, sat and completed
  • Deliver NCFE online assessments not only online (on a device with a secure internet connection) but also offline if secure internet connection is an issue (prior download is required)
  • Prepare learners using practice assessments that are in the same format and environment as live assessments
  • Pause and re-start assessments if needed to support reasonable adjustment breaks and any emergencies that occur
  • Apply time adjustments for learners as needed in line with our Access Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments Policy.
Technical Requirements

Please ensure that you meet the technical requirements outlined in the Technical Specification document here.

What support is available?

There are a number of general support guides aimed at supporting you with the different stages of the online assessment process. 

Please click on the relevant qualification (s) below to access the specific guides required:

Qualifications with assessments available to sit online:

Please see below guides and support videos to support you using the Surpass online assessment platform for the below qualifications:

  • · Understand How to Set Up a Home-Based Childcare Service (CYPOP 5)
  • · Level 3 Diploma in the Principles and Practice of Dental Nursing (601/2251/1)
  • · Level 1 Functional Skills in English (603/5058/1)
  • · Level 2 Functional Skills in English (603/5054/4)
  • · Level 1 Functional Skills in Maths (603/5055/6)
  • · Level 2 Functional Skills in Maths (603/5060/X)
  • · Entry Level 3 Essential Digital Skills (603/7119/5)
  • · Level 1 Digital Functional Skills (610/2808/3)

Remote Invigilation

The above online assessments can also be delivered using our remote invigilation solution; support your learners to be able to sit their online assessment at home, using secure, remote software.

Find out more about Remote Invigilation and apply for approval.

Guides and supporting documentation

Please see guides and support videos below to support you using the Surpass online assessment platform for the below qualifications:

  • NCFE Level 1/2 Technical Award in Music Technology (603/7008/7)
  • NCFE Level 1/2 Technical Award in Interactive Media (603/7005/1)
  • NCFE Level 1/2 Technical Award in Business and Enterprise (603/7004/X)
  • NCFE Level 1/2 Technical Award in Sports Studies (603/7010/5)
  • NCFE Level 1/2 Technical Award in Child Development and Care in the Early Years (603/7012/9)
  • NCFE Level 1/2 Technical Award in Health and Fitness (603/7007/5)
  • NCFE Level 1/2 Technical Award in Food and Cookery (603/7014/2)
  • NCFE Level 1/2 Technical Award in Engineering (603/7006/3)
  • NCFE Level 1/2 Technical Award in Health and Social Care (603/7013/0)
  • NCFE Level 1/2 Technical Award in Creative Design and Production (603/7003/8)
  • NCFE Level 1/2 Technical Award in Graphic Design (603/7011/7)

Guides and supporting documentation

Please see below guides and support videos to support you using the Surpass online assessment platform for the below qualifications:

  • T Level Technical Qualification in Education and Early Years (603/5829/4)
  • T Level Technical Qualification in Digital Business Services (603/6902/4)
  • T Level Technical Qualification in Digital Support Services (603/6901/2)
  • T Level Technical Qualification in Health (603/7066/X)
  • T Level Technical Qualification in Healthcare Science (603/7083/X)
  • T Level Technical Qualification in Science (603/6989/9)

Guides and supporting documentation

Please see guides and support videos below to support you using the Surpass online assessment platform for the below qualifications:

  • Level 1 Essential Digital Skills (603/7118/3)
  • Entry Level 3 Essential Digital Skills (603/7119/5)

Guides and supporting documentation

Online assessment registration 

If you would like to register for access to the online assessment system, please complete the below form and a member of the Assessment Platform Team will contact you within 48 hours with further instructions to get set up.

Please note: If you already use online assessment for other qualifications, there is no need to re-apply. Any new online qualifications you gain approval for will be automatically added to your Surpass account.

Find out more about Remote Invigilation

Find out more about FAST

Online Assessment declaration

By registering for NCFE Online Assessment, I accept that I fully meet the technical specifications for installation and operation on all devices, and that have the resource in place to be able to support and check these devices on an on going basis. I accept that NCFE are unable to provide technical support in cases where these requirements have not been met.

By registering for NCFE Online Assessment, I accept that learners registered on online assessable qualifications that my centre is approved for will be made available in the online platform

Remote Invigilation declaration

NCFE will use your details for the purpose of remote invigilation auditing.

  • We will fully comply with the Regulations for the Conduct of External Assessment and Centre Instructions for Remote Invigilation
  • We have read and understand the Privacy Policy and all GDPR requirements
  • We understand the technical requirements needed to deliver remote invigilation
  • We will provide learners with instructions and support to ensure they can set up all required technical requirements
  • We will only add learners emails directly onto the Surpass platform for learners already registered; we will not add any new learners directly, they will always be added via the NCFE Portal.

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