What time are BTEC results released today and how are the grades decided?

STUDENTS have started to receive their BTEC results after another year of education chaos.

Marks are being released earlier than usual, in line with other qualifications.

When will BTEC results be released?

All BTEC students will get their results by the end of this week.

BTEC National pupils should receive their marks by August 10 - the same day as A-Level students.

Those awaiting BTEC First results should know theirs by August 12 - at the same time as GCSE pupils.

Schools and colleges may release results at slightly different times, so make sure to check with your institution.

And make sure to find out whether you need to collect them in person, or if they will be available online.

How have the BTEC grades been decided?

Normally, students are given points for each unit they complete as part of their course.

These add up throughout the year, so students usually have a pretty good idea of how they're doing as summer approaches.

They then receive a final grade at the end of the year, much like A-Level and GCSE results.

But this year, many qualifications have been graded by teachers due to disrupted learning during the pandemic.

Schools and colleges could take into account coursework, internal assessments and mock exams.

However, the Department for Education and exam's regulator Ofqual decided earlier this year that some vocational students could only be assessed fairly through practical exams.

Therefore, these results were assessed in the normal way.

BTECs are usually graded from a pass (P) up to a distinction* (D*) and students may receive one, two or three grades depending on the size of their course.

BTEC results

• Distinction* (D*) – equivalent to an A* at A-level and 56 UCAS points
• Distinction (D) – equivalent to an A and 48 UCAS points
• Merit (M) – equivalent to a C and 32 UCAS points
• Pass (P) – equivalent to an E and 16 UCAS points
• Near pass (N) – not available for all courses

No matter how your result was determined, all students have the right to appeal.

This can be done through individual schools and colleges, which will then liaise with exam boards if necessary.

Resits can also be taken in the autumn, as well as internal assessments.

Priority will be given to students whose marks directly impact their ability to go to university or enter further training.

What does BTEC stand for?

BTEC stands for the Business and Technology Education Council.

The qualifications are specialist work-related ones which take a vocational approach.

They combine practical learning with subject and theory content.

More than 2,000 BTEC qualifications are on offer across the UK, going from entry level through to postgraduate Level 7 study.

They are broken down into three main levels - BTEC Firsts (entry level to Level 2), BTEC Nationals (Level 3 - similar to A-Levels), and BTEC Apprenticeships (Level 2 to 5).