Where a permitted reduction in the number of assessments has been used for Cambridge Nationals and Cambridge Technicals, we will produce an assessed grade for the units where assessment has not been taken.
We will also use the same process for students who are not able to take exams in January 2022 due to temporary issues, including Covid, where they are eligible for a special consideration absence.
Assessed grades
Assessed grades allow us to estimate how a candidate would have performed on a missing unit by looking at their performance on other units they have completed.
We can produce an estimate in a few different ways depending on the information we have available. In Summer 2022 we will potentially have evidence in the form of grades from live assessments and unit Teacher Assessed Grades (TAGs). Because of this we will be using a method known as the proportional method that calculates an average grade based on the other grades a candidate has achieved. This method allows us to simply and quickly produce an assessed grade for a missing unit using grades.
Proportional assessed grade method
The proportional assessed grade method looks at the grades that a candidate has achieved and calculates an average grade that is then used for the missing unit. We are able to calculate this average by assigning a number to each grade (see tables below). The grades that are used to calculate the assessed grade are grades from supporting units and not all grades a candidate has will be used as a supporting unit.
Rules for supporting units
We have a number of rules about what units can be used as a supporting unit when calculating the assessed grade and these rules will apply to all assessed grades for Cambridge Nationals and Cambridge Technicals calculated this year:
- We will consider both live assessments and unit TAGs as supporting units. For example, if we were estimating a grade for the moderated unit A and a candidate has one grade for moderated unit B that is a unit TAG and one grade for moderated unit C that is from a live assessment, we would use both grades from unit B and unit C.
- Where possible, we only use like-for-like units. This means we try to only use supporting units that are the same type of unit (moderated units or examined units) to the one we are calculating. When we are calculating an assessed grade for a moderated unit we will only use other moderated units as supporting units and we would not use any examined units. Only when there are no available moderated units with a grade would we use an examined unit as a supporting unit. For example, if we are estimating a grade for the moderated unit A, and a candidate has grades for moderated units B and C and also has a grade for the examined unit D, we would only use units B and C. If we were estimating a grade for the moderated unit A and did not have a grade for moderated units B and C we would use unit D as a supporting unit.
- If a candidate has had multiple attempts at a unit, we only use the unit with the best grade as the supporting unit. For example, if we were estimating a grade for the moderated unit A and a candidate has one grade for moderated unit B and two grades (e.g. P and M) for moderated unit C, we would use the grade from unit B and only the M grade from unit C.
- A previous attempt at the unit being calculated cannot be used as a supporting unit. For example, if we were estimating a grade for unit A, and the candidate had grades for units B, C and a previous attempt at unit A, we would only use units B and C as supporting units.
- We do not use an assessed grade as a supporting unit. If a candidate has already received an assessed grade for one of their units, we do not use this grade when calculating an assessed grade for another unit. For example, if we were estimating a grade for unit A, and the candidate had grades for B, C and D but unit D is an assessed grade rather than a grade from a live assessment or a unit TAG, we would only use units B and C.
Further instructions on how to apply these rules and how to calculate an assessed grade can be found below in the worked examples.
How to calculate an assessed grade
For each type of qualification, a number is assigned to a grade that we call the numerical grade scale. We assign and use these numbers when calculating the average grade. The numerical grade scales for Cambridge Nationals (Table 1) and Level 3 Cambridge Technicals (Table 2) are below.
Table 1. Cambridge National Numerical Grade Scale
|
Cambridge Nationals |
|
|
0 |
U |
|
1 |
P1 |
|
2 |
M1 |
|
3 |
D1 |
|
4 |
P2 |
|
5 |
M2 |
|
6 |
D2 |
|
7 |
*2 |
Table 2. Cambridge Technical Level 3 Numerical Grade Scale
|
Level 3 Cambridge Technicals |
|||
|
|
2016 Suite |
2012 Suite |
|
|
Numerical Grade |
External |
Internal |
Internal |
|
1 |
U |
U |
NA |
|
1.5 |
R |
NA |
NA |
|
2 |
P |
P |
P |
|
3 |
M |
M |
M |
|
4 |
D |
D |
D |
Table 3. Cambridge Technical Level 2 Numerical Grade Scale
|
Level 2 Cambridge Technicals |
|||
|
|
2016 Suite |
2012 Suite |
|
|
Numerical Grade |
External |
Internal |
Internal |
|
1 |
U/Not Achieved (Unit 1C) |
U |
NA |
|
2 |
P/Achieved (Unit 1C) |
P |
P |
|
3 |
M |
M |
M |
|
4 |
D |
D |
D |
Worked examples
Cambridge Nationals
Cambridge Nationals example 1: Creative iMedia Certificate (J817) - Estimating the reduced moderated unit R085
All of a candidate’s available grades:
|
Unit |
Unit Type |
Grade |
Live assessment or unit TAG? |
|
R081 |
Examined unit |
M1 |
Yes |
|
R082 |
Moderated unit |
P2 |
Yes |
|
R087 |
Moderated unit |
D2 |
Yes |
Supporting Units: Unit R085 is moderated, therefore we use only the available moderated units R082 and R087 as supporting units.
Calculation:
|
Supporting Units |
Grade |
Numerical Grade |
Sum of Numerical Grades |
Average of Numerical Grades |
Assessed Grade for R085 |
|
R082 |
P2 |
4 |
10 |
5 |
M2 |
|
R087 |
D2 |
6 |
- Sum of numerical grades for R082 and R087: 4 + 6 = 10
- Calculate the average by dividing the sum of numerical grades by the number of units: 10 ÷ 2 = 5
- Assign the grade using the numerical grade scale: M2
Cambridge Nationals example 2: Health and Social Care Certificate (J811) - Estimating the reduced moderated unit R025
All of a candidate’s available grades:
|
Unit |
Unit Type |
Grade |
Live assessment or unit TAG? |
|
R021 |
Examined unit |
D1 |
Yes |
|
R022 |
Moderated unit (second attempt) |
M2 |
Yes |
|
R022 |
Moderated unit (first attempt) |
M1 |
Yes |
|
R029 |
Moderated unit |
D2 |
Yes |
Supporting Units: Unit R025 is a moderated unit and there are two moderated units available for calculation (R022 and R029). From the two attempts at unit R022, we will consider the attempt with the best grade. Therefore, our supporting units are R029 and the second attempt at R022.
Calculation:
|
Supporting Units |
Grade |
Numerical Grade |
Sum of Numerical Grades |
Average of Numerical Grades |
Rounded Average |
Assessed Grade for R025 |
|
R022 |
M2 |
5 |
11 |
5.5 |
6 |
D2 |
|
R029 |
D2 |
6 |
- Sum of numerical grades for R022 and R029: 5 + 6 = 11
- Calculate the average by dividing the sum of numerical grades by the number of units: 11 ÷ 2 = 5.5
- Round the average up when it is not a whole number: 6
- Assign the grade using the numerical grade scale: D2
Cambridge Technicals
Cambridge Technicals example 1: Level 3 2016 Suite: Health and Social Care Extended Certificate (360 GLH) - Estimating the reduced moderated unit 14 (60GLH).
All of a candidate’s available grades:
|
Unit |
Unit Type |
GLH |
Grade |
Live assessment or unit TAG? |
|
Unit 01 |
Moderated unit |
60 |
D |
Yes |
|
Unit 02 |
Examined unit |
60 |
P |
Yes |
|
Unit 03 |
Examined unit |
60 |
M |
Yes |
|
Unit 04 |
Examined unit |
90 |
R |
Yes |
|
Unit 10 |
Moderated unit |
30 |
M |
Yes |
Supporting Units: Unit 14 is moderated and so we use only the available moderated units 01 and 10 as supporting units.
Calculation:
|
Supporting Units |
GLH |
Grade |
Numerical Grade |
Sum of Weighted Numerical Grades |
Average of Numerical Grades |
Assessed Grade for 14 |
|
01 |
60 |
D |
4 |
330 |
3.67 |
D |
|
10 |
30 |
M |
3 |
- Sum of numerical grades, weighting units by GLH: for unit 01 weighting by 60 and unit 10 weighting by 30:
= (4 x 60) + (3 x 30)
= 240 + 90
= 330
- Calculate the average by dividing the sum of numerical grades by the number of GLH the units have been weighted by:
= 330 ÷ (60 + 30)
= 330 ÷ 90
= 3.667 which is then rounded up
= 4
- Assign the grade using the numerical grade scale: D
Cambridge Technicals example 2: Level 3 2016 Suite: Business Diploma (720 GLH), Marketing Pathway - Estimating the reduced moderated units 04 (60GLH) and 16 (60 GLH).
All of a candidate’s available grades:
|
Unit |
Unit Type |
GLH |
Grade |
Live assessment or unit TAG? |
|
Unit 01 |
Examined unit |
120 |
P |
Yes |
|
Unit 02 |
Examined unit |
60 |
R |
Yes |
|
Unit 03 |
Examined unit |
60 |
U |
Yes |
|
Unit 05 |
Moderated unit |
60 |
M |
No* |
|
Unit 06 |
Moderated unit |
60 |
U |
Yes |
|
Unit 07 |
Moderated unit |
60 |
M |
Yes |
|
Unit 15 |
Examined unit |
60 |
M |
Yes |
|
Unit 22 |
Moderated unit |
120 |
M |
Yes |
Supporting Units: Units 04 and 16 are moderated and so we use only the available moderated units 06, 07 and 22 as supporting units.
*The moderated unit 05 is an assessed grade and so cannot be used as a supporting unit.
Calculation:
|
Supporting Units |
GLH |
Grade |
Numerical Grade |
Sum of Weighted Numerical Grades |
Average of Numerical Grades |
Assessed Grade for 04 and 16 |
|
06 |
60 |
U |
1 |
600 |
2.5 |
M |
|
07 |
60 |
M |
3 |
|||
|
22 |
120 |
M |
3 |
- Sum of numerical grades, weighting units by GLH: for units 06 and 07 weighting by 60 and unit 22 weighting by 120:
= (1 x 60) + (3 x 60) + (3 x 120)
= 60 + 180 + 360
= 600
- Calculate the average by dividing the sum of numerical grades by the number of GLH the units have been weighted by:
= 600 ÷ (60 + 60 + 120)
= 600 ÷ 240
= 2.5 which is then rounded up
= 3
- Assign the grade to both missing units using the numerical grade scale: M
Cambridge Technicals example 3: Level 3 2012 Suite: Performing Arts Subsidiary Diploma (540 GLH) - Estimating the reduced moderated unit 07 (60GLH).
All of a candidate’s available grades:
|
Unit |
Unit Type |
GLH |
Grade |
Live assessment or unit TAG? |
|
Unit 01 |
Moderated unit |
60 |
P |
Yes |
|
Unit 02 |
Moderated unit |
60 |
D |
Yes |
|
Unit 03 |
Moderated unit |
60 |
M |
Yes |
|
Unit 04 |
Moderated unit (attempt 1) |
60 |
M |
Yes |
|
Unit 04 |
Moderated unit (attempt 2) |
60 |
P |
Yes |
|
Unit 05 |
Moderated unit |
60 |
M |
Yes |
|
Unit 06 |
Moderated unit |
60 |
D |
Yes |
|
Unit 08 |
Moderated unit (attempt 1) |
60 |
M |
Yes |
|
Unit 08 |
Moderated unit (attempt 2) |
60 |
M |
Yes |
|
Unit 09 |
Moderated unit |
60 |
P |
Yes |
Supporting Units: All units in the 2012 Suite are moderated and so all units 01-06 and 08-09 can be used as supporting units.
From the two attempts at unit 04, we will consider the attempt with the best grade, which is attempt 1. From the two attempts at unit 08, both grades are the same, so it does not matter which attempt is used. Therefore, we use attempt 1 for 04 and either attempt 1 or 2 for unit 08, in our case attempt 1.
Calculation:
|
Supporting Units |
GLH |
Grade |
Numerical Grade |
Sum of Weighted Numerical Grades |
Average of Numerical Grades |
Assessed Grade for 07 |
|
01 |
60 |
P |
2 |
1440 |
3 |
M |
|
02 |
60 |
D |
4 |
|||
|
03 |
60 |
M |
3 |
|||
|
04 |
60 |
M |
3 |
|||
|
05 |
60 |
M |
3 |
|||
|
06 |
60 |
D |
4 |
|||
|
08 |
60 |
M |
3 |
|||
|
09 |
60 |
P |
2 |
- Sum of numerical grades, weighting units by GLH: for units 01-06 and 08-09, weighting all units by 60:
= (2 x 60) + (4 x 60) + (3 x 60) + (3 x 60) + (3 x 60) + (4 x 60) + (3 x 60) + (2 x 60)
= 120 + 240 + 240 + 180 + 180 + 240 + 180 + 120
= 1440
- Calculate the average by dividing the sum of numerical grades by the number of GLH the units have been weighted by:
= 1440 ÷ (60 + 60 + 60 + 60 + 60 + 60 + 60 + 60)
= 1440 ÷ 480
= 3
- Assign the grade to both missing units using the numerical grade scale: M
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