Pearson Level 3 Alternative Academic Qualification BTEC Nationals Specification Supplementary Information - Issue 6 - Summary of changes

Oct 20, 2026

Pearson Level 3 Alternative Academic Qualification BTEC Nationals Specification Supplementary Information (Issue 6) outlines assessment structure and administrative requirements for approved BTEC Nationals qualifications. It explains how internal and external assessments are delivered, verified, and decided using unit-based criteria, including planning, evidence forms, level of control, and AI requirements. It also covers authentication, resubmission and retake processes, administrative arrangements, reasonable adjustments, special consideration, malpractice handling, and certification and results workflows.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages34

Reading Time1 h 26 min

AccessFree to download

Assessment structure and external assessment

Introduction

Internal assessment

External assessment

Externally assessed units

Sample assessment materials

Internal assessment

Principles of internal assessment

Assessment through Pearson Set Assignment Briefs (PSAB)

Assessment decisions through applying unit-based criteria

The assessment team

Effective organisation

Student preparation

Forms of evidence

Level of control

Artificial intelligence (AI) requirements

Making valid assessment decisions

Authenticity of student work

Making assessment decisions using criteria

Dealing with late completion of assignments

Issuing assessment decisions and feedback

Resubmission of improved evidence

Retake of internal assessment

Planning and record keeping

Administrative arrangements

Introduction

Student registration and entry

Access to assessment

Administrative arrangements for internal assessment

Records

Reasonable adjustments to assessment

Special consideration

Appeals against assessment

Administrative arrangements for external assessment

Entries and resits

Access arrangements requests

Granting reasonable adjustments

Special consideration requests

Conducting external assessments

Level of control

Dealing with malpractice in assessment

Student malpractice

Teacher/centre malpractice

Sanctions and appeals

Certification and results

Results issue

Post-assessment services

Changes to qualification requests

Additional documents to support centre administration

Quality assurance

Centre and qualification approval

Continuing quality assurance and standards verification

Pearson Level 3 Alternative Academic Qualification BTEC National Specification Supplementary Information First teaching September 2025/2026 Issue 6 About Pearson We are the world’s leading learning company operating in countries all around the world. We provide content, assessment and digital services to students, educational institutions, employers, governments and other partners globally. We are committed to helping equip students with the skills they need to enhance their employability prospects and to succeed in the changing world of work. We believe that wherever learning flourishes so do people. VQ000515 All the material in this publication is copyright © Pearson Education Limited 2026 Summary of changes to Specification Supplementary Information Issue 6 | Summary of changes made between previous issue and this issue | Page number | | --- | --- | | Removal of statement concerning calculators. | 3 | If you need further information on these changes or what they mean, please contact us via our website at: [qualifications.pearson.com/en/support/contact-us.html](qualifications.pearson.com/en/support/contact-us.html). Contents 1 Assessment structure and external assessment 1 Introduction 1 Internal assessment 2 External assessment 2 Externally assessed units 3 Sample assessment materials 3 2 Internal assessment 4 Principles of internal assessment 4 Assessment through Pearson Set Assignment Briefs (PSAB) 4 Assessment decisions through applying unit-based criteria 6 The assessment team 7 Effective organisation 7 Student preparation 7 Forms of evidence 8 Level of control 9 Artificial intelligence (AI) requirements 9 Making valid assessment decisions 11 Authenticity of student work 11 Making assessment decisions using criteria 11 Dealing with late completion of assignments 12 Issuing assessment decisions and feedback 12 Resubmission of improved evidence 13 Retake of internal assessment 13 Planning and record keeping 14 3 Administrative arrangements 15 Introduction 15 Student registration and entry 15 Access to assessment 15 Administrative arrangements for internal assessment 17 Records 17 Reasonable adjustments to assessment 17 Special consideration 17 Appeals against assessment 17 Administrative arrangements for external assessment 18 Entries and resits 18 Access arrangements requests 18 Granting reasonable adjustments 18 Special consideration requests 18 Conducting external assessments 19 Level of control 19 Dealing with malpractice in assessment 20 Student malpractice 20 Teacher/centre malpractice 21 Sanctions and appeals 21 Certification and results 22 Results issue 22 Post-assessment services 22 Changes to qualification requests 22 Additional documents to support centre administration 23 4 Quality assurance 24 Centre and qualification approval 24 Continuing quality assurance and standards verification 24 Scope of this document This issue of the Pearson Level 3 Alternative Academic Qualification BTEC Nationals Specification Supplementary Information applies to the below qualifications. First teaching from September 2025: • Pearson Level 3 Alternative Academic Qualification BTEC National in Applied Science (Extended Certificate) (610/3965/2) • Pearson Level 3 Alternative Academic Qualification BTEC National in Computing (Extended Certificate) (610/3963/9) • Pearson Level 3 Alternative Academic Qualification BTEC National in Construction and the Built Environment (Extended Certificate) (610/3959/7) • Pearson Level 3 Alternative Academic Qualification BTEC National in Early Childhood Development (Extended Certificate) (610/3966/4) • Pearson Level 3 Alternative Academic Qualification BTEC National in Engineering (Extended Certificate) (610/3962/7) • Pearson Level 3 Alternative Academic Qualification BTEC National in Information Technology (Extended Certificate) (610/3960/3) • Pearson Level 3

FAQs

How are BTEC Nationals at Pearson Level 3 assessed in terms of internal and external assessment?

BTEC Nationals use a combination of internal assessments (set by Pearson, marked by teachers, and externally verified by Pearson) and external assessments set and marked by Pearson. Mandatory units may be internal or external, while optional units are internally assessed.

What internal assessment principles and evidence requirements are covered?

The document covers principles of internal assessment, including using Pearson Set Assignment Briefs (PSAB), applying unit-based criteria, forming assessment decisions, and requirements around effective organisation, student preparation, forms of evidence, and level of control. It also includes AI requirements and authenticity of student work.

What administrative arrangements and rules are provided for issues like adjustments, appeals, and malpractice?

Administrative arrangements include student registration and access to assessment, reasonable adjustments, special consideration, and appeals. It also outlines processes for dealing with malpractice (student and teacher/centre), plus sanctions, certification, results issues, and post-assessment services.

Oct 20, 2026

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