Exams officers

Here at NCFE, we know how vital exams officers are. Without you, it would be impossible to run and administer our exams successfully, so we work hard to make it easy for you to work with us.

On this page you’ll find all the key information to support you in your role, including timetables, a key dates calendar and FAQs, as well as monthly updates to ensure you’re kept up to date with any changes, events and training opportunities. 

Your monthly update (June 2024)

Below you’ll find your monthly update for June 2024, including key upcoming dates for your diary for reasonable adjustments, post-results and assessment and delivery support, and more.

Important reminders

New practice papers for Functional Skills English 

We’ve launched new practice papers for Functional Skills English:

Paper-based practice assessments are now available across all levels in Reading and Writing, supporting learners to prepare for their Functional Skills English assessment.

Onscreen practice papers are available at Levels 1 and 2, allowing learners to prepare for their assessment using our onscreen platform, Surpass.

Each paper has been carefully chosen by our Assessment team to provide an authentic assessment experience. Find out more.

Summer assessment series

Please ensure to visit our T Level summer series webpage for reminders across all aspects of T Level assessments. Visit the webpage.

New resources have been published by Ofqual in relation to summer awarding, to provide useful information and can be found below:

• VTQ results infographic - top tips for exams officers
• a short film on X and

You can also refer to Ofqual’s VTQ Information Hub for more useful information and key dates.

Using AI in summer 2024 external assessments

As we approach our summer series, we’re communicating with your centre to reiterate expectations on the use of AI in external assessments. We particularly want to address:

• the prevalence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and risks
• the overall approach of the JCQ guidance (learners must submit work which is their own, and that submitting work which is not their own, and/or which shows other AI misuse, will be investigated for potential malpractice and could result in disqualification from an assessment, or qualification overall)
• qualification specific guidance (for example, qualifications such as T Level Employer Set Project (ESP) and Occupational Specialism (OS) assessments, or CACHE Level 3 extended response essays, which allow access to the internet for some or all parts of the assessment).

Model 5 (NEW) V Cert assessment support

As we approach the final stages of the assessment window for our Level 1/2 Technical Award qualifications, we want to remind you of some key dates and guidance. Visit our V Cert assessment support webpage for more information on deadlines, how to access assessment materials, moderation and uploading of learner evidence, the benefits of online assessment and sources of support.

Changes to fees for CACHE qualifications

Find out more about fees that are applied if learners are booked under incorrect themes on our CACHE qualifications.

T Level approval window – reminder

The approval window is still open and closes on 28 June 2024: If you’re planning to deliver additional NCFE T Level qualifications in September 2024, you’ll need to apply for additional product approval with us via our website before you can start the delivery of them. Please note that if your college has multiple campuses, you’ll need to apply for approval for each campus to deliver these additional qualifications. Similarly, if your academy is part of a Multi Academy Trust, each academy will require separate approval. If you need support with applying for approval, please watch this handy video. 

Important information on Model 4 V Cert internal assessments

We wanted to share information about booking your learners onto the Model 4 V Certs non-examined assessment, withdrawing learners and upcoming submission dates. Please note that Model 4 V Certs require an external quality assurance review (Model 5 V Certs don’t require EQA reviews). Find out more.

External Quality Assurance (EQA) reviews should be arranged as soon as possible with a planned date of no later than 31 July 2024, to guarantee results can be issued in time for results day. For further information, please refer to our Preparing for external quality assurance reviews page on our website.

Upcoming events

Health Student Conference

Join us on 25 June for our first Health student conference and an immersive journey, where we'll delve into the dynamic realm of technology in healthcare. With a special emphasis on the healthcare landscape, you’ll discover how healthcare professionals are leveraging technology to enhance patient outcomes. We’re delighted to confirm our diverse range of speakers for the event:

• Tracey Hutchinson: Provider Development Officer, NCFE
• Guy Plowman: Institutional Sales Manager, RCNi.aspiratio
• Samantha Davies: Workforce Development Manager, TSA (Technology Enabled Care Services Association)
• Dr Barry Hill: Associate Professor of Nursing and Critical Care, Northumbria University
• Dr Dominic Simpson: Assistant Professor of Nursing Midwifery and Health, Northumbria University
• Sam Clark: Assistant Professor (Simulation), School of Health and Care, Coventry University
• Dr Marion Waite: Principal Lecturer – Education and Student Experience, Oxford School of Nursing and Midwifery, Oxford Brookes University.

Functional Skills training 

Join our Provider Development team in July for their upcoming CPD sessions, aimed at Functional Skills Maths and English Teachers. These sessions include ‘Error analysis for effective feedback’ for maths delivery staff and ‘Fun(ctional) English)’. Sign up now.

NCFE’s Professional Development Week

After its success in December, our Professional Development Week will be back from 1-5 July, for a week packed with live and recorded CPD sessions. Sign up here.

Discover insights from Health and Science T Levels: Join us at this virtual event as we delve into two years of experience and lessons learned from delivering the Health and Science T Levels. This session will explore core content and Occupational Specialisms and you’ll hear from other providers, as they share their experiences with the group.

Bite-size videos to support you

We’ll be creating a series of bite-size videos, some of which are already available on our YouTube channel, detailing some of the common themes or areas of difficulty, and will also provide updates to our Portal User Guide, accordingly.

Supporting administration staff

In acknowledgement of the high turnaround of centre staff dealing with NCFE’s administrative assessment processes, we would request that any centre with new or inexperienced staff, who may require support in enacting any of our Portal-related activities, contact [email protected], where one of the team will be glad to help signpost, integrate or demonstrate these processes directly.