Yes, the students have to achieve a target number of points in order to get a pass (E).  That target is an accumulation of points with no 'hurdles'.

Not as such: the referral grade meant that students had to do more work in order to pass the assignment, as every assignment had to be passed in order to gain the qualification. That no longer applies, (see above.)

It depends on the individual students and what they are aiming for in their overall grade, the sort of progress they are making, stage of their studies etc. For instance, a second year Advanced Student may be improving but have some poor scores carried over from year one. It may be better for that student to concentrate and do very well on new work rather than be bogged down by trying to do old work as well.

It means that a weakness or low score in one area of a qualification can be compensated for by a higher score in another part of the qualification.

A student on a Foundation GNVQ doing three compulsory vocational units in one area will be able to choose three optional units from the compulsory or option suites from any vocational area. This allows a centre to offer a broad vocational qualification – by doing the optional units first - and then to allow the student to ‘specialise’ by doing the three specified units in the second part of the programme. However, the rule of a third of the programme being externally assessed stands.  No two units with similar titles from different vocational areas may be chosen.

The DfES has announced that the six unit Foundation and Intermediate GNVQs will continue until the regulatory authorities establish that there are suitable alternatives available.  The deadline for the final withdrawal of each of these six unit GNVQ titles will take account of the availability of alternative qualifications and the time schools and colleges need to prepare for the new qualifications.  Further information can be obtained from www.qca.org.uk

Yes, up to the maximum offered. They would then have to complete fewer portfolio units.

Yes, there is a system within Edexcel that will recognise the higher achievement of the reported units.

No. There is no requirement for assessors or Internal Verifiers to have these awards. Assessors will need to be familiar with the new assessments and should be encouraged to attend the assessor training events. Good assessment practice should continue and there will still be the need for internal moderation to ensure consistency of standards.

The Moderator will not expect to see any records, but in terms of good practice it is advisable for the centre to have a quality audit trail and to record outcomes from internal moderation activities. However, the current programme feedback report asks for comments on evidence that IV has taken place and that this evidence is clearly marked on the student work sampled.

Moderation does not dictate the order of delivery. In the pilot it was clear that there was no common method of delivery and this has been respected. The Moderator will sample, in the first year, any completed unit.