| FAQ |
Terminal rule
The terminal assessment rule requires learners to take the external assessment at the end of their qualification (the series in which the learner certificates). This means that learners must sit internal component assessments either prior to or in the same series as the external assessment to fulfil this terminal rule.
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Resits
If a learner chooses to retake an internal assessment in a series after they sat the terminal external assessment, they will also need to resit the external component to satisfy the terminal rule. Learners are allowed one retake of each internal component and one resit of the external assessment within the programme.
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What are the certification options if a learner sits the external assessment in January?
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Certification scenarios
Learners can take their internal and external assessments either in December/January or May/June, so long as the terminal rule is followed. This allows for different paths to certification, for example:
(Click the examples below to expand)
Example 1: Learner has sat each component once and certificated in year 2
| Available Series | Component 1 (internal component) | Component 2 (internal component) | Component 3 (external component) | | Dec/Jan Year 1 | | | | | May/June Year 1 | ü | | | | Dec/Jan Year 2 | | ü | | | May/June Year 2 | | | ü (Certification) |
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Example 2: Learner resits an internal component
| Available Series | Component 1 (internal component) | Component 2 (internal component) | Component 3 (external component) | | Dec/Jan Year 1 | ü | | | | May/June Year 1 | | ü | | | Dec/Jan Year 2 | | | | | May/June Year 2 | ü | | ü (Certification) | The learner has resat component 1 in May/June of Year 2 alongside sitting their external.
The learner’s best result for component 1 (in this example, from Dec/Jan Year 1) would be used towards the qualification result. |
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Example 3: Learner resits the terminal external component
| Available Series | Component 1 (internal component) | Component 2 (internal component) | Component 3 (external component) | | Dec/Jan Year 1 | ü | | | | May/June Year 1 | | ü | | | Dec/Jan Year 2 | | | *ü | | May/June Year 2 | | | **ü Certification | Due to the terminal rule, the result from the final sitting of the external assessment (**ü) would be used towards the qualification grade, even if the learner had a higher result from the Dec/Jan Year 2 sitting (*ü).
After resitting the terminal external assessment, the first sitting (*ü) can't be used towards the qualification grade when certificating.
However, learners can certificate using the first sitting of the external assessment during the late certification window following a January sitting, then re-certificate using the second sitting (see example 7). |
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Example 4: Learner resits an internal component in a series after sitting the terminal external component
| Available Series | Component 1 (internal component) | Component 2 (internal component) | Component 3 (external component) | | Dec/Jan Year 1 | ü | | | | May/June Year 1 | | ü | | | Dec/Jan Year 2 | | | ü | | May/June Year 2 | | *ü | | In this example, the learner can't certificate in May/June Year 2 as they have not met the terminal requirement.
The learner must be entered for the external assessment in May/June Year 2 alongside the resit of component 2 (*ü) to meet the terminal requirement and be eligible to certificate.
They could instead apply for late certification from Dec/Jan in year 2, although the internal resit will not be taken into consideration. |
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Example 5: Learner is entered to sit the external assessment but is sick and therefore absent
| Available Series | Component 1 (internal component) | Component 2 (internal component) | Component 3 (external component) | | Dec/Jan Year 1 | ü | | | | May/June Year 1 | | ü | | | Dec/Jan Year 2 | | | | | May/June Year 2 | | | Absent | In this example, so long as the learner can provide evidence that they were unable to attend due to illness, they are eligible for special consideration.
Once a special consideration has been approved, the external assessment grade would be estimated (using the JCQ guidelines) and the qualification grade awarded based on the aggregation of each components’ results. |
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Example 6: Learner is entered to sit the external assessment but is absent without a valid reason
| Available Series | Component 1 (internal component) | Component 2 (internal component) | Component 3 (external component) | | Dec/Jan Year 1 | ü | | | | May/June Year 1 | | ü | | | Dec/Jan Year 2 | | | | | May/June Year 2 | | | Absent | In this example, the learner would not be eligible for special consideration.
A partial qualification grade would be awarded based on the results of the two internal components so long as they have gained sufficient UMS points (refer to the specification for the minimum required UMS points to achieve a qualification grade). |
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Example 7: Learner would like to improve their qualification grade after certification
| Available Series | Component 1 (internal component) | Component 2 (internal component) | Component 3 (external component) | | Dec/Jan Year 1 | ü | | | | May/June Year 1 | | ü | | | Dec/Jan Year 2 | | | ü Certification | | May/June Year 2 | | ü | ü Re-certification | |
In this example, the learner has certificated using the results of the Dec/Jan Year 2 external assessment during the late certification window following January results.
They then decided to try and improve their qualification grade in May/June Year 2 by resitting Component 2, and to meet the terminal rule, have had to resit Component 3 as well.
The qualification grade in May/June used the best result from the internal components and the final result from May/June Year 2 for the external assessment.
Please note:
If learners certificate twice, using both sittings of the external component, they are permitted to hold both certificates and use the highest result for their own progression purposes.
Performance table points for centres are reported based on the first point of certification.
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Further Support
We are here to help. If you are unsure if your programme of study meets the terminal rule and certification requirements, please contact us, and we can check that your learners are on track to certification.
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