FAQs - Wales 14–16 Qualifications

No. 

Providers make the Assessment Strand decisions and complete IQA. Open Awards moderates those decisions and applies the aggregation methodology.

Providers assess each Assessment Strand using the published Learning Outcomes and Assessment Descriptors. 

At Entry Level, outcomes recognise performance at Entry 1, Entry 2 or Entry 3. At Levels 1 and 2, Assessment Descriptors support Pass, Merit and Distinction outcomes. 

Open Awards applies the published numerical aggregation methodology to the four Assessment Strand Outcomes to calculate the overall Qualification Outcome. 

No. 

The qualification is designed to be digital first, but not digitally dependent. Evidence can be collected electronically, but appropriate paper-based, photographic, audio or other evidence formats may also be used. 

Yes, within defined limits. 

The Project Proposal is completed under Guided Conditions. Teachers and assessors can discuss feasibility, scope, resources and manageability, but they must not select the project for the learner or complete the planning on their behalf. 

Project approval itself is not an assessment decision. Assessment Strand 1 is formally assessed when the completed project evidence is reviewed.  

The four integral skills are: 

• Planning and Organising 

• Critical Thinking and Problem Solving 

• Creativity and Innovation 

• Personal Effectiveness. 

They are embedded throughout the project rather than assessed as four separate tasks. Each skill contributes across multiple Learning Outcomes and Assessment Strands. 

The project is assessed through one integrated assessment with four strands: 

Together they assess the learner’s performance across the full project journey.  

Yes. Personalisation is a central feature of the qualification. 

Learners identify a project linked to their interests, aspirations or intended progression. The provider must approve the proposal to ensure that it is appropriate, achievable and sufficiently demanding for the qualification level.

No. The Personal Project is wholly assessed through Non-Examined Assessment. 

Learners complete one project and build a portfolio of evidence across the project lifecycle. 

Separate qualifications are available at: 

• Entry Level 

• Level 1 

• Level 2. 

The qualification has 60 Guided Learning Hours at every level. TQT increases with the expected level of learner independence: 

• Entry Level – 70 hours 

• Level 1 – 80 hours 

• Level 2 – 90 hours.

The Personal Project qualification enables learners to plan, undertake and evaluate a project based on a topic that is meaningful to them. 

It is designed to develop and assess the four Curriculum for Wales integral skills through a sustained project rather than a traditional examination.