Examiners’ Report
Lead Examiner Feedback
January 2022
Pearson BTEC Nationals
In Information Technology (20161K)
Unit 14: IT Service Delivery
, BTEC LE Report 2201
Edexcel and BTEC Qualifications
Edexcel and BTEC qualifications come from Pearson, the world’s leading learning
company. We provide a wide range of qualifications including academic, vocational,
occupational and specific programmes for employers. For further information visit
our qualifications website at http://qualifications.pearson.com/en/home.html for our BTEC
qualifications.
Alternatively, you can get in touch with us using the details on our contact us page at
http://qualifications.pearson.com/en/contact-us.html
If you have any subject specific questions about this specification that require the
help of a subject specialist, you can speak directly to the subject team at Pearson.
Their contact details can be found on this link:
http://qualifications.pearson.com/en/support/support-for-you/teachers.html
You can also use our online Ask the Expert service at https://www.edexcelonline.com
You will need an Edexcel Online username and password to access this service.
Pearson: helping people progress, everywhere
Our aim is to help everyone progress in their lives through education. We believe in
every kind of learning, for all kinds of people, wherever they are in the world. We’ve
been involved in education for over 150 years, and by working across 70 countries, in
100 languages, we have built an international reputation for our commitment to high
standards and raising achievement through innovation in education. Find out more
about how we can help you and your learners at: www.pearson.com/uk
January 2022
Publications Code 20158K_2201_ER
All the material in this publication is copyright
© Pearson Education Ltd 2022
Owner: VQ Assessment Page 2 of 56 Version 1.0
Issue 1
DCL1
, BTEC LE Report 2201
Grade Boundaries
What is a grade boundary?
A grade boundary is where we set the level of achievement required to obtain a
certain grade for the externally assessed unit. We set grade boundaries for each
grade, at Distinction, Merit and Pass.
Setting grade boundaries
When we set grade boundaries, we look at the performance of every learner who took
the external assessment. When we can see the full picture of performance, our
experts are then able to decide where best to place the grade boundaries – this
means that they decide what the lowest possible mark is for a particular grade.
When our experts set the grade boundaries, they make sure that learners receive
grades which reflect their ability. Awarding grade boundaries is conducted to ensure
learners achieve the grade they deserve to achieve, irrespective of variation in the
external assessment.
Variations in external assessments
Each external assessment we set asks different questions and may assess different
parts of the unit content outlined in the specification. It would be unfair to learners if
we set the same grade boundaries for each assessment, because then it would not
take accessibility into account.
Grade boundaries for this, and all other papers, are on the website via this link:
http://qualifications.pearson.com/en/support/support-topics/results-
certification/grade-boundaries.html
Owner: VQ Assessment Page 3 of 56 Version 1.0
Issue 1
DCL1
, BTEC LE Report 2201
Awarding BTEC qualifications in 2022
Ofqual has set out their plans for awarding qualifications in 2022 and intend to return
to a normal, pre-pandemic, approach to grading standards over by 2023. They have
confirmed that 2022 will be a transition year, to reflect that we are in a pandemic
recovery period and students’ education has been disrupted.
Our guiding principle and approach to awarding BTEC qualification results in
2022 will be to ensure parity in relation to the approach being taken for GCSE
and A level learners. BTEC courses have a different structure and design to academic
qualifications - BTECs are modular qualifications (with assessments taking place
throughout the course) compared to GCSEs and A levels which are linear (assessed
and awarded at the same time at the end of the year), and therefore our approach
needs to be different.
In 2022 we will return to the usual method of calculating BTEC qualification results,
however adaptations including, U-TAGs and reduced internal assessment, are in place
to provide a comprehensive package of support for students.
The basis of our awarding approach to BTECs this year is to ensure it is as fair as
possible for all learners. We will use a range of evidence to set grade boundaries for
the external units. Part of this evidence will be to closely monitor learner performance
in all assessments that contribute to learners’ final qualification grade, to ensure
parity with A level and GCSEs.
Further information can be found on our website and via our Social Media channels.
20161K: Unit 14 IT Service Delivery
Level 3
Grade Unclassified
N P M D
Boundary Mark 0 8 16 27 39
Owner: VQ Assessment Page 4 of 56 Version 1.0
Issue 1
DCL1
Lead Examiner Feedback
January 2022
Pearson BTEC Nationals
In Information Technology (20161K)
Unit 14: IT Service Delivery
, BTEC LE Report 2201
Edexcel and BTEC Qualifications
Edexcel and BTEC qualifications come from Pearson, the world’s leading learning
company. We provide a wide range of qualifications including academic, vocational,
occupational and specific programmes for employers. For further information visit
our qualifications website at http://qualifications.pearson.com/en/home.html for our BTEC
qualifications.
Alternatively, you can get in touch with us using the details on our contact us page at
http://qualifications.pearson.com/en/contact-us.html
If you have any subject specific questions about this specification that require the
help of a subject specialist, you can speak directly to the subject team at Pearson.
Their contact details can be found on this link:
http://qualifications.pearson.com/en/support/support-for-you/teachers.html
You can also use our online Ask the Expert service at https://www.edexcelonline.com
You will need an Edexcel Online username and password to access this service.
Pearson: helping people progress, everywhere
Our aim is to help everyone progress in their lives through education. We believe in
every kind of learning, for all kinds of people, wherever they are in the world. We’ve
been involved in education for over 150 years, and by working across 70 countries, in
100 languages, we have built an international reputation for our commitment to high
standards and raising achievement through innovation in education. Find out more
about how we can help you and your learners at: www.pearson.com/uk
January 2022
Publications Code 20158K_2201_ER
All the material in this publication is copyright
© Pearson Education Ltd 2022
Owner: VQ Assessment Page 2 of 56 Version 1.0
Issue 1
DCL1
, BTEC LE Report 2201
Grade Boundaries
What is a grade boundary?
A grade boundary is where we set the level of achievement required to obtain a
certain grade for the externally assessed unit. We set grade boundaries for each
grade, at Distinction, Merit and Pass.
Setting grade boundaries
When we set grade boundaries, we look at the performance of every learner who took
the external assessment. When we can see the full picture of performance, our
experts are then able to decide where best to place the grade boundaries – this
means that they decide what the lowest possible mark is for a particular grade.
When our experts set the grade boundaries, they make sure that learners receive
grades which reflect their ability. Awarding grade boundaries is conducted to ensure
learners achieve the grade they deserve to achieve, irrespective of variation in the
external assessment.
Variations in external assessments
Each external assessment we set asks different questions and may assess different
parts of the unit content outlined in the specification. It would be unfair to learners if
we set the same grade boundaries for each assessment, because then it would not
take accessibility into account.
Grade boundaries for this, and all other papers, are on the website via this link:
http://qualifications.pearson.com/en/support/support-topics/results-
certification/grade-boundaries.html
Owner: VQ Assessment Page 3 of 56 Version 1.0
Issue 1
DCL1
, BTEC LE Report 2201
Awarding BTEC qualifications in 2022
Ofqual has set out their plans for awarding qualifications in 2022 and intend to return
to a normal, pre-pandemic, approach to grading standards over by 2023. They have
confirmed that 2022 will be a transition year, to reflect that we are in a pandemic
recovery period and students’ education has been disrupted.
Our guiding principle and approach to awarding BTEC qualification results in
2022 will be to ensure parity in relation to the approach being taken for GCSE
and A level learners. BTEC courses have a different structure and design to academic
qualifications - BTECs are modular qualifications (with assessments taking place
throughout the course) compared to GCSEs and A levels which are linear (assessed
and awarded at the same time at the end of the year), and therefore our approach
needs to be different.
In 2022 we will return to the usual method of calculating BTEC qualification results,
however adaptations including, U-TAGs and reduced internal assessment, are in place
to provide a comprehensive package of support for students.
The basis of our awarding approach to BTECs this year is to ensure it is as fair as
possible for all learners. We will use a range of evidence to set grade boundaries for
the external units. Part of this evidence will be to closely monitor learner performance
in all assessments that contribute to learners’ final qualification grade, to ensure
parity with A level and GCSEs.
Further information can be found on our website and via our Social Media channels.
20161K: Unit 14 IT Service Delivery
Level 3
Grade Unclassified
N P M D
Boundary Mark 0 8 16 27 39
Owner: VQ Assessment Page 4 of 56 Version 1.0
Issue 1
DCL1
