2. www.othm.org.uk
Aim
This resource is intended to help centres
understand the marking and assessment
requirements of OTHM Qualifications
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3. Basic Structure of OTHM
Qualifications
• Each Qualification consists of units which are levelled
from Entry level up to Level 8
• OTHM qualifications are from level 3 upwards.
• Each unit and qualification has its own credit value which
is an approximate indication of how long an average
learner takes to complete the unit/qualification.
• One credit represents approximately 10 hours of learning
time
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4. Learning Outcomes
A clear statement of what the learner is expected
to do / know about / understand
as a result of the process of learning
Assessment Criteria
Description of the requirements a learner is expected to
meet, to demonstrate that a learning outcome has been
achieved.
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5. Criterion Based Assessment
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To achieve the unit the
learner must provide
evidence to meet all of the
assessment
Descriptions of
the requirements
a learner is
expected to meet
to demonstrate
that a learning
outcome has
been achieved
A statement of what
a learner can be
expected to know,
understand or do
as a result of a
process of learning
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6. Assessment Approach
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• Assessment methods identified in the qualification
specification
• Learners must be registered on the qualification before
assessment commences
• Each Learner must meet all the assessment criteria in the unit
• Competency based units / assessment criteria must be
observed in the relevant area
Assessors must be appropriately qualified in that subject area to
at least one level higher than the level being assessed
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7. Carrying out the Assessment
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Questions to Consider:
• Is the most up to date assessment brief being
used?
• Are the assessment criteria clearly mapped to the
learner’s work?
• Is the evidence provided sufficient to meet the
standards?
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8. Command Verbs
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Consider the Command Verb – has it been met? i.e.
• Explain – is there an explanation?
• Analyse – is there clear breakdown of all the
elements?
• Evaluate – is there a clear judgement of the value of
the information or ideas?
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11. www.othm.org.uk
Supporting Learners to Meet
Assessment Criteria
The learner should read each question/criteria carefully and then:
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• Identify the main subject matter
• Focus on the command word for example:
list, describe, explain, discuss, examine, analyse, reflect,
evaluate
• Identify how to use the command word for example:
describe how, describe ways, explain how, explain why, discuss
why, evaluate how
• Identify other key words or phrases which may support the main
subject, for example:
the age range, the importance of, the benefits of, the value of…
14. Feedback
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• Must refer to the assessment criteria and assignment
requirements
• Must provide constructive detail
• Must state what has been done well
• Must give detail about what can be done to improve
• Must record feedback on the mark sheet
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