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What is an A1 Assessor Course

Picture of Aliza Hasnain

Aliza Hasnain

  • 5 min read

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The A1 assessor course was previously known for training learners wanting to become certified assessors. However, the qualification has been discontinued and is no longer accessible. It has been replaced by updated courses designed to achieve an assessor qualification.

If you are considering a career as an assessor and are aiming for the A1 assessor qualification, shift your focus to the various TAQA qualifications. These updated qualifications offer a more comprehensive approach to assessment, making them a better choice for your career.

What is the A1 Assessor Qualification ?

The A1 Assessor qualification, previously known as the Level 3 Award in Assessing Candidates Using a Range of Methods, was introduced in late 2002. It replaced the D32 and D33 units. It offered a single-unit qualification focused primarily on candidate assessment. However, with the evolving education landscape, TAQA qualifications have become the standard choice for training and evaluation.

The A1 Assessor Course, now part of the CAVA (Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement) qualification, trains individuals to assess learners' skills and knowledge. It includes units like UPPA (Understanding Assessment Principles), AVRA (Assess Vocationally Related Achievement), and the ACWE course for workplace assessments, teaching assessing skills in various contexts.

What is TAQA?

TAQA stands for Training, Assessing, and Quality Assurance. It has replaced the A1 assessor award but is not a single-unit qualification. Instead, TAQA includes several assessor and quality assurance qualifications:

  1. Level 3 Award in Understanding the Principles and Practices of Assessment (Unit 1)
  2. Level 3 Award in Assessing Competence in the Work Environment (Units 1 & 2)
  3. Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (CAVA) (Units 1, 2 & 3)
  4. Level 3 Award in Assessing Vocationally Related Achievement (Units 1 & 3)
  5. Level 4 Award in the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice (Units 1&2) V1/TAQA/D34
  6. Level 4 Certificate in the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice (Units 1,2 & 3)

Which Course is Equivalent to the A1 assessor course?

All assessor courses in the TAQA group now replace the A1 assessor course. This means that they are all updated versions. However, the most common alternative to the A1 assessor qualification is the Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (CAVA).

The CAVA qualification is favoured because it includes all the necessary units for assessing students in different settings. However, it is important to know that it is not the closest match out of all the options available.

The closest match to the A1 Assessor qualification is the Level 3 Award in Assessing Competence in the Work Environment. This course closely aligns with the content, syllabus, and goals of the A1 assessor course.

It is also shorter and more cost-effective than the CAVA course, covering two units instead of three. So if you need to get your ‘A1 Assessors,’ this course is the best replacement.

Which Units are Included in the TAQA Qualifications

To become a certified assessor, you can pursue any of the assessor qualifications offered within the TAQA suite of certifications. However, the specific units covered in your chosen course will determine the scope and context of your assessment abilities.

The TAQA suite’s assessor qualifications encompass three key units:

  1. Understanding the Principles and Practices of Assessment: This unit is important to all assessor qualifications within the TAQA suite. It provides fundamental knowledge necessary for anyone involved in assessment processes.
  2. Assessing Occupational Competence in the Work Environment: This practical unit evaluates learners’ workplace competency.
  3. Assessing Vocational Skills, Knowledge, and Understanding: This practical unit evaluates learners’ vocational skills and understanding in classrooms or training courses.

What Are the Four Different Assessor Qualifications?

The TAQA assessor qualifications are quite similar, but they have one big difference: their nature of assessments.

  1. The Level 3 Award in Understanding the Principles and Practices of Assessment focuses mainly on learning assessment theory. It is suitable for beginners who need more time to be ready to assess students.
  2. The Level 3 Award in Assessing Competence in the Work Environment lets you assess students at their workplace, not in classrooms. You need to gather evidence from two students in this role.
  3. The Level 3 Award in Assessing Vocationally Related Achievement lets you assess students in classrooms or workshops rather than at their jobs. Like the previous one, you also need evidence from two students.
  4. The Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (CAVA) is the most popular. It allows you to assess students in both classrooms and at their jobs. You need evidence from both types of assessments and must actively assess students to get this certification.

What are the Requirements for the CAVA Assessor Course?

To get your CAVA qualification, you must complete three units. You can do this part-time while still working. The course typically takes around 150 hours, so completing it in about 12 weeks is feasible for most people. Please note that you must be at least 19 years old to enrol.
There are no formal prerequisites for the entry criteria. You should have math and English skills at a level 2 standard. You also need to be proficient in the area you want to assess. Moreover, for any assessor qualification, except for the UPPA, you must have two learners to assess.
To complete your qualification, you must access learners. Your training provider can help you connect with the required learners.

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