WHAT CAN I DO TO GAIN HIGH MARKS?

Lowest Marks (Pass)

A PASS grade is awarded if you meet all of the ‘PASS’ level grading criteria shown on your assignment
brief. This is the lowest grade which you can receive for a BTEC unit unless you do not pass it at all.
These criteria are very specific to each individual course, subject and level, but generally speaking; the
lowest grades for every unit are given for work which:

• Has weak structure

• Shows little or the most basic level of thought or consideration
• Appears to have been written at the last minute, showing a lack of care and substance
• Is mainly descriptive, with little analysis or argument
• Considers one point of view or just the basic facts
• Makes little mention of personal understanding during sessions and in independent study time
• Contains little evidence of notes taken in lessons or how you’ve used these to further your
understanding
• Has very little evidence of background research, examples and supporting quotes

Better Marks ( Merit)

A MERIT grade is awarded if you meet all of the ‘PASS’ and ‘MERIT’ level grading criteria shown on your
assignment brief. This is the middle grade which you can receive for a BTEC unit.
These criteria are very specific to each individual course, subject and level, but generally speaking; the
medium grades for every unit are given for work which:

• Shows evidence of background learning and independent thought

• Shows some understanding of the underlying issues
• Shows organisation and initiative towards independent study/taking responsibility for your own
learning
• Contains relevant information and sticks to the point
• Elaborates on notes taken in sessions to show what you’ve learned and how you’ve furthered your
understanding practically and theoretically
• Answers any questions that were put to you
• Develops an argument or a point of view
• Draws conclusions
• Shows the relationship between different issues or concepts within the subject area
• Reveals some thought and reflection
• Organises information into a structure
• Gives a range of correctly referenced evidence and examples to support arguments and main
points

Highest Marks (Distinction)

A DISTINCTION grade is awarded if you meet all of the ‘PASS’, ‘MERIT’ and ‘DISTINCTION’ level
grading criteria shown on your assignment brief. This is the highest grade which you can receive for a
BTEC unit.
These criteria are very specific to each individual course, subject and level, but generally speaking; the
highest grades for every unit are given for work which:

• Reveals a good understanding of why the topic is significant, including issues and concerns, and
if, where and why there is controversy or debate over the subject in the industry
• Engages actively with subject-related debates in a thought provoking way
• Reveals understanding of how the topic relates to broader issues, beyond the subject area
• Shows evidence of a wide and varied range of background reading and independent study, which
is used to support practical and written work
• Shows a high level of independent work and initiative to further understanding
• Has been given time, care and attention, which shows in how detailed, relevant and very well
organised it is
• Analyses, evaluates and justifies
• Uses a wide range of relevant examples to support ideas, facts and opinions
• Uses correct technical/vocational vocabulary
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 • Extensively draws upon lesson notes to explain practical and theoretical understanding in a
thoroughly detailed manner

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