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Glossary of Terms

Appeal

A procedure through which an awarding organization, or an approved centre, may be challenged on the outcome of a decision made.

Assessment

Making a judgment about the extent to which a learner's work demonstrates achievement of the learning objectives of a qualification.

Assessment Method

Activities used to provide evidence that a learner has met the assessment criteria, such as tests, assignments, discussions, and observations.

Assessment Criteria

Defines what the learner must do to show that the learning outcomes have been achieved.

Assessment Evidence

Proof that a learner has achieved or is working towards the assessment criteria of a qualification unit.

Assessor

A staff member at a centre who assesses learner evidence.

Awarding Organization (AO)

The organization responsible for issuing certificates.

Centre

A college or training provider approved by an awarding organization to deliver and assess qualifications.

Centre Recognition/Approval

The process a centre follows to gain approval to offer qualifications, demonstrating quality and standard of delivery.

Certification

The process of recognizing a learner's achievement through the issuance of a certificate.

Credit Value

Indicates the size of a unit-1 credit equals 10 hours of learning. A 6-credit unit requires about 60 learning hours.

Direct Claims Status

Allows a centre to claim certificates for learners without external verification, provided strong internal systems are in place.

Externally Assessed

Assessment tasks marked by the awarding organization with results reported to the centre.

External Verifier

A person representing an awarding organization, responsible for evaluating a centre's quality assurance and assessment practices.

Guided Learning Hours (GLH)

Hours of teacher-led or directed study required for a unit or qualification.

Internal Verifier (IV)

An individual who oversees internal quality assurance processes within a centre.

Internally Assessed

Assessment tasks marked by centre staff and subject to external verification.

Learning Outcomes

The knowledge, skills, and understanding learners are expected to gain from a qualification.

Maladministration

Non-compliance with administrative procedures, often due to persistent mistakes or poor processes at a centre.

Malpractice

Deliberate actions or neglect that compromise assessment integrity and certificate validity.

Mandatory Units

Units a learner must complete to achieve a qualification.

Optional Units

Units a learner can choose to accumulate enough credits for a qualification.

Qualification Approval

A process where an approved centre applies to offer additional qualifications.

Qualification Specification

Documentation detailing qualification structure, content, assessment, and quality assurance requirements.

Reasonable Adjustments

Modifications or accommodations made for learners with disabilities or additional learning needs.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

A process of evaluating and recognizing previously acquired learning for use in current qualifications.

Rules of Combination

Guidelines for accumulating credits to achieve a qualification.

Special Considerations

Post-assessment adjustments for learners who experienced disadvantage during an assessment.

Standardisation

A process to ensure assessment criteria are applied consistently across assessors and centres.

Unit

A component of a qualification, made up of learning outcomes and assessment criteria. Units can be certified individually or as part of a qualification.