Level 2 Certificate in Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy ( VRQ) External assessment

Feedback to centres Overview of the external assessment Grading Candidate performance January 2015 series Candidate preparation – mock examinations Improving candidate examination performance On the day of the exam Things to avoid Questions

Overview - External assessment Online assessment accessed through Linx2Achieve on the VTCT website. Time allocation: 1hr 30 mins Total marks per paper: 60 marks Generally between 20-25 questions per paper Paper includes a mixture of short and long answer question, to provide stretch and challenge Questions assess knowledge and understanding over all three learning outcomes for UV21578 Understanding the hair and beauty sector. All bulleted content in the unit specification will be covered over a cycle of examination series All questions have the ‘command’ word highlighted in bold The mark allocation is clearly stated in brackets after each question Candidates can revisit an answer before they submit their paper

Grading The external exam paper pass marks for the UV21578 are: Merit - 60 – 79 % Distinction - 80 % and above (Please note: these are ‘rough’ boundaries that are subject to change from series to series)

Candidate performance January 2015 Strengths The majority of candidates could identify a wide range of hair and beauty businesses. Most candidates recognised the hair and beauty sector had a positive impact on the UK economy. A large number of candidates were able to identify industries and sectors that have links with the hair and beauty sector. Many candidates demonstrated a good understanding of the common hair and beauty services and treatments. The majority of candidates were able to show a very good understanding of a range of beauty and make-up products

Strengthen knowledge and understanding of range of related businesses Candidate performance January 2015 Areas for improvement Some candidate's were able to identify key information but did not demonstrate sufficient understanding when describing or explaining answers. Below are the main areas to focus on: Build knowledge and understanding of the main focus and purpose of each type of hair and beauty business. Strengthen knowledge and understanding of range of related businesses Reinforce the ways the hair and beauty sector contributes to the UK economy Build understanding of how other industries and sectors are linked to the hair and beauty sector. Work on the key features/advantage and disadvantages of a range of types of business ownership.

Strengthen knowledge and understanding of a range of hair products Candidate performance January 2015 Areas for improvement - Continued Strengthen knowledge and understanding of a range of depilatory products. Strengthen knowledge and understanding of a range of hair products Reinforce knowledge and understanding of key health, safety, hygiene and legislation, paying particular attention to how each is applied in a hair and beauty environment. Support knowledge and understanding of the importance of a range of skills and attributes required by industry professionals.

Suggestions for mock exams Candidate preparation - mock exams It is good practise to allow candidate's to sit mock examinations well before they attempt the online external assessment Suggestions for mock exams Download exemplar paper available on VTCT website, allow learners to sit the paper under exam conditions January archive paper will be available online shortly and can be used in the same way Give learners the exemplar mark scheme and allow them to peer mark so they become familiar with the criteria Preparation activities are available in the Teachers Resource Pack Tutor could construct their own questions with a similar format to exemplar papers Candidates could construct their own questions swap papers with their peers and peer mark

Good practise / general guidance Improving candidate examination performance Tutors can coach and advise candidates to do the following during their preparation for external assessment: Good practise / general guidance Launch revision and recapping session well before the exam date Encourage candidates to produce flash cards/mind maps/key cards etc. with important facts and information, focus on accurate professional terminology and language Complete regular short 30 min revision sessions at home and in class covering all the specification content Provide candidate's with a checklist of the unit specification content that will be assessed in the exam to help them focus their revision

Encourage candidates to : On the day of the exam Encourage candidates to : Read the question carefully looking specifically at the ‘command’ word in bold and the mark allocation. Both will offer guidance to the depth and breath of knowledge required in the answer. Read through all of the questions then attempt the questions you know first. If you get stuck on a particular question, stay calm move on and revisit later When all questions have been completed, read all of the answers and check for accuracy, quite simply does the answer make sense?

‘Slang’ and ‘text’ language Things to avoid Repeating the whole question within the answer, it wastes time and does not gain any extra marks ‘Slang’ and ‘text’ language Repeating the same information within the answer , it will not gain more marks Entering candidates before they have been sufficiently prepared for the external assessment

State – Express in clear terms Understanding external assessment questions Coach learners to recognise the requirements of each question by understanding the ‘command’ words in bold. The following are command words commonly used: List – Provide a number of points with no elaboration (The number required will also be in bold) State – Express in clear terms Identify – Name or otherwise characterise, may be a single word or phrase Define – Specify the meaning of a word or term Outline – Provide an overview, restrict answer to essential detail only Describe – Give a detailed account providing relevant characteristics Explain – Set out the purpose or reason with relevant detail and content

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