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Candidate GuidanceCert VN ECC Final Assessment

ContentsEntry RequirementsAssessment datesAssessment feesReasonable adjustmentsAssessment informationPaper timingsInvigilationRules of assessmentAssessment MarkingDeferment optionsWithdrawalSpecial considerationsAppealsQuestions456810121315181922232529

This document outlines the policies and procedures governingfinal assessment applications and the appeals process for theCert VN ECC Final Assessment. Candidates should ensure they read and fully understand allaspects of this document before completing their assessmentapplication. Any queries on this or any other issue should be submitted tothe centre at vncertecc@vets-now.comCert VN ECC: Candidate Guidance

Entry Requirements Have a valid registration for the Certificate of VeterinaryNursing in Emergency & Critical Care Have completed and submitted all their unit courseworkto their tutor for marking.To be eligible to enter the Cert VN ECC Final Assessmentcandidates must:1.2.A completed application form and correct payment must bereceived from candidates prior to the listed closing date. Application closing datesSeptember assessment March assessment23.59 - 31st July 23.59 - 31st January*No late entries will be accepted.It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure that theirapplication is completed and payment submitted in time. Ifan application is submitted without payment, this may not beprocessed.

Your first eligible assessment date will be listed in advance,on the assessment calendar issued at the start of eachintake. Assessment datesFinal assessments for the Certificate ofVeterinary Nursing in Emergency & CriticalCare are held in March and Septemberevery year. You will also becontacted by email atthe end of yourcourseworkcomponent to confirmthe date of the nextavailable assessmentdate.

The entry fees for the Cert VN ECC Final assessments will belisted in the Application Information document for therelevant assessment date. Candidates should note that fees are subject to changedepending on the assessment date selected. Fees are payable per candidate, and payment is preferred atthe time of your online application. If your practice is paying your fees, please select the BACS /Wire Transfer payment option and input your practice’sinvoice address. (Please note if you work for a corporate such as IVC or Companion Care,the invoice may differ from your usual practice address. You shouldclarify this prior to completing your application.)The confirmation email and invoice will be sent to YOURemail address. You should then pass this onto theappropriate person to arrange payment.Assessment Fees

Please  note:  we  will  NOT  send  the  invoice  directly  to  yourpractice.It is your responsibility to  ensure  that  payment  is  madein  full  prior  to  the  closing  date,  otherwise  you  may  notbe granted entry to the assessment.Receipt of payment does not indicate that your assessmententry has been accepted. In some instances, there may beIf  this  is  the  case,the  Centre  willcontact  you  toadvise.follow up action required orextenuating circumstancesthat may preclude yourapplication being accepted.

The centre is committed to ensuring that all candidatesreceive equal opportunity to sit the final assessment.Therefore, if a candidate requires assistance to allow them todo so, they should inform the centre by indicating theirrequirements on the appropriate section of the onlineassessment application form.Reasonable adjustments can encompass special educationalneeds, disabilities, access arrangements, medical or healthconcerns or any other needs which may require reasonableadjustment to be made in the examinations.Candidates should ensure they make it clear whatadjustments are being requested: e.g. up to 25% extra time, areader, a scribe etc.A recent (within the last 12 years) educational assessment orappropriate supporting evidence would be required toconfirm any requirements. Reasonable adjustments to assessmentsSpecial education or other needs

All required evidence should be submitted to the Centrewho will complete and submit an access request to City &Guilds, including all relevant supporting evidence.All supporting evidence should be submitted for theattention of the Head of Centre at vncertecc@vets-now.comno later than the closing date for assessment entries.This ensures that the request can be submitted in goodtime, allowing us to put the appropriate adjustments inplace before the assessment date.If supporting evidence is notreceived by the listed closing datefor assessment entries, the Centrewill be unable to guarantee thatthe necessary adjustments can bemade. Consequently, it may be necessaryfor the candidate to defer to thenext available assessment date.

You must use the specific online software (TopHat) tocomplete the assessments. An appropriate assessment link will be provided to youprior to the listed assessment date. At least one test session will be made available to you priorto the actual assessment so you can familiarise yourselfwith the software. You must complete at least one test before sitting thefinal assessment.An ID check will be carried out prior to the start of theassessment. Your picture will be taken using your webcam andcompared against a piece of photo ID. The assessment will be delivered online, using our assessmentsoftware TopHat.Assessment InformationYour identity must be verified for you to gainaccess to the assessment.

All papers must becompleted and submittedonline, using Top hat, ourapproved assessmentsoftware. The assessment will be open book and there will be twopapers to complete within the 24-hour assessment window. You will receive 3 hours per paper.Candidates must achieve a successful pass grade in bothpapers to achieve the award of Cert VN ECC. Answers should be typed into the appropriately numberedanswer boxes on the screen. It’s VERY important you saveeach answer as you go. Once you have completed all questions you should submityour work for marking. You will have an opportunity to practise using this softwarebefore the assessment. Until you have had this practiceattempt you will not be able to sit the actual assessment.

You should complete both papers within this 24-hourassessment window. You will receive 3 hours for each paper. There will be no set start or finish times for any paper. You cancomplete them at any time that best suits you, but you mustensure you allow enough time to complete both papers,BEFORE the listed closing time. Once you start a paper, your 3-hour timer will commence. Thiswill not stop if you leave the screen/room, so you mustdedicate the full 3 hours to complete each paper.Please note: 15 mins extra time has been built in for allcandidates, to compensate for any technical issues / comfortbreaks etc.Once the assessment window closes, you will have no furtheraccess to the assessment papers. (whether you havecompleted them or not.)Both assessment papers will be made available online for aperiod of 24 hours on the listed assessment day.Paper timings. Completing the assessments

You will require to have a webcam to verify your ID andpermit video recording of you and your immediatesurroundings during the exam.Likewise, your screen will be recorded during the exam.This will confirm the websites and external sources you visitonline whilst completing the assessments. All assessment sessions will be remotely invigilated, using awebcam and recording of your screen. Assessment invigilation.

Please be aware that our software providers (TopHat) arefully GDPR compliant and all data and recordings will bestored on secure, protected servers for a period of no morethan 7 years.Any data or recordings collected will not be used for anyother purpose than to support and deliver the Cert VN ECCfinal assessment. Data will not be shared with any other parties within orexternal to Vets Now.Data can be deleted at the user or institutions request.Completion of an honesty declaration will also be requiredto confirm the work submitted is entirely yours and that noplagiarism has taken place

Both papers must be completed using the onlineassessment software TopHat.As the assessment is open book, you will be allowed accessto your course notes, reference materials and anywebpages/materials you wish to access.Despite this, you should NOT reference any externalcontent within your exam. All work submitted must be entirely your own. Access tomaterials is allowed for reference purposes ONLY.Your session must be recorded using your webcam andscreen recording.You should complete the assessment in a quiet space withno consultation / assistance from any other person.If any other person or audio is captured on your recording,your assessment may be disqualified.Candidates must complete the honesty declaration prior tostarting the assessment.Rules of assessment

Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Material must NOT becopied directly from any sources.If plagiarism / cheating is suspected, or if there is any doubtas to the authenticity and integrity of a submitted paper, itwill be compared to your Cert VN ECC course workassignments for verification.Any exam paper that is a causefor concern will be checked forauthenticity and plagiarismvia Turnitin; and the recordingof the invigilated session willbe scrutinised.The use of the copyand paste functionwill be restricted inthe assessmentsoftware.

You must complete both papers within the listed 24-hourassessment window.Papers can be completed at any time, but you are limitedto 3 hours per paper. Once the timer starts it cannot bestopped, so you should not leave the screen / room unlessnecessary. Papers must not be downloaded, photographed or copiedin any way and distributed to other candidates or studentsat any time.If this takes place, the candidate/s responsible will bedisqualified.

Assessment papers will be marked on site at the Centre byCity & Guilds approved examiners and assessors, inconjunction with the Head of Centre and centre staff.To ensure a robust marking process, papers will beinternally verified. This process includes:Assessment marking and resultsA clerical check by centre staff of the marks awarded foreach paper.Review and re-mark of any borderline papers* by asecond examiner to verify the grade. The final gradeadvised to the candidate would be the verified grade. 1.2.(*A borderline paper would be graded at +/- 5 marks of the officiallisted pass mark)Assessment results will be issued to candidates by emailwithin 6 - 8 weeks of the listed final assessment date.Results will be issued by email initially, followed by a postedpaper copy of your results letter. The results letter will list both your individual grades andthe official pass mark for each paper.Official certification will be issued to the Centre from City &Guilds. Once received by the Centre this will be forwardedto you along with any other relevant documentation. (Forexample, a copy of results letter and a CPD certificate)

Deferment prior to close of applications.Deferring from the final assessmentIf after registering for the final assessment, acandidate wishes to defer their place to alater assessment date, their request shouldCandidates are limited to a maximum of two assessmentdeferments*.The assessment fee (if already paid) will be transferred tothe next available date**. For each deferment an administration fee of £25 (+VAT) willbe charged. This would be payable prior to the close ofapplications of the selected assessment date.be put in writing (email) to the Centre at vncertecc@vets-now.com. Requests must be submitted prior to the close ofassessment applications. Terms will apply (see below)

**If there are any changes to the assessment fee at the nextselected date, the candidate would be liable to pay anydifference in the fee. This would be in addition to the listeddeferment fee. No refund would be due for any reduction infees.Deferment after close of applications.Although it is still possible to defer your place after the close ofapplications, this would only be considered in exceptionalcircumstances, (i.e. due to illness/injury/bereavement etc) Noother circumstances would be considered at this stage. *If after deferring their assessment place twice a candidatechooses not to sit the final assessment at the last availableopportunity, they would forfeit their place and be withdrawnfrom the assessment list. Any fees already paid would be non-refundable. Candidates would then be required to re-registerand pay full assessment fees to secure a place on any laterassessment.

If a candidate is unwell or unfit to complete the assessment onthe registered date; sight of a doctor’s certificate confirming thediagnosis/injury and the candidate’s inability to attend /complete the assessment on the specified date would berequired by the Head of Centre. Deferment due to illness or injury.Deferment to the next availabledate would be offered at noadditional charge to the candidate.Fees already paid would betransferred to cover costs of thenew registration. However, if a candidate decides not to sit the assessment after the close ofapplications for a reason not listed above,it would no longer be possible to deferand candidates would instead require towithdraw from the assessment.Any appropriate fees would be due in full. (please seewithdrawal section below)

If a candidate wishes to cancel their place and withdraw fromthe final assessment they should put their request in writing tothe Centre at vncertecc@vets-now.com. Withdrawing means that the candidate’s registration for thefinal assessment will be cancelled. Candidates should beaware that final assessment fees may be non-refundable ifthey withdraw from the final assessment after their entry hasbeen submitted to the awarding body.Once a candidate’s place on a listed assessment has beenwithdrawn it cannot be reinstated. Withdrawing from the final assessmentConsequently, if a candidate changes their mind andwishes to secure a place on that or any laterassessment then it would be necessary for them tocomplete a brand-new registration and pay fullassessment fees to secure their place.

Special considerationsSpecial consideration is defined as a post-assessmentadjustment to a candidate’s mark or grade to reflecttemporary illness, injury or some other event outside of thecandidate’s control at the time of the assessment, which hashad, or is reasonably likely to have had, a material effect on acandidate’s ability to take an assessment or demonstrate hisor her normal level of attainment in an assessment.If a candidate wishes to notify the Centre of anycircumstances or events which may have unduly affectedtheir assessment performance, they must notify the centrewithin 5 working days of sitting the assessment. Special consideration notifications should be emailed tothe centre at vncertecc@vets-now.com Candidates should first ensure that the circumstances orevents experienced are listed within the City & Guilds; JCQSpecial Consideration Guide before emailing their request tothe centre. (See Appendices below for full link)

Special consideration adjustments (up to 5% of the totalmarks available for that component) can be awarded to acandidates grade, depending on the circumstances.Candidates will be notified within 7 working days of receiptof their request to confirm if a special consideration will beupheld and the adjustment to their grades that will beapplied.Candidates should be aware that if the centre is notinformed of a special consideration request within thelisted timescale; it is not possible to consider this at a laterstage.Likewise, it is not possible to consider a specialconsideration as part of an official appeal. More information about the appealsprocedure is included below.

The appeals process gives candidates the opportunity toquestion the result of an assessment if they believe themarking was inaccurate. Appeals ProcedureThe centre aims to ensure that all assessments and themarking process is fair, consistent and based on validjudgements. Stage 1 – EnquiryStage 2 – AppealIt involves someone not involved in the original decisionreviewing the assessment decisions and correcting any errorsthat are identified.The stages of the appeals process are as follows:

Candidates should email their enquiry or appeal tovncertecc@vets-now.com. Stage 1 - Enquiry - How to applyIf a candidate has an enquiry concerning the accuracy oftheir assessment results, then they should in the firstinstance submit an Enquiry, to request their grades bereviewed by the Senior Examiner.The candidate should include as much detail as possible tosupport their enquiry and the specific aspects they areconcerned may be inaccurate. The paper review will include a clerical check to confirmthe marks and grade awarded as well as a review of themarking and the Top hat invigilation recording. A feedback report would be compiled and provided to thecandidate.The Enquiry outcome will be communicated to thecandidate in writing (email), detailing any changes to theirmark and subsequent grade for that paper/s.Candidates should also be aware that their grades could belowered because of an Enquiry.Any enquiry should be submitted as soon as possible, but nolater than 40 days after release of results.

It should be noted at this stage, that special considerationscannot be submitted as the basis for an enquiry or appeal(see special considerations section for more information). The only basis for an enquiry or an appeal would be if thecandidate believed the assessment marking was inaccurate. If after receiving the response to their Enquiry, the candidateremains dissatisfied with the response and believes that themarking remains inaccurate and that the Centre did notfollow the correct procedures in reaching the outcomedecision of their Enquiry; they should then submit an Appeal.Stage 2 - Appeal - How to applyAn appeal should be submitted in writing to vncertecc@vets-now.com addressed to the Head of Centre. An appeal must be submitted within 20 working days after thecandidate’s receipt of their Enquiry outcome response.

The appeal must include the reasons for the appeal anddetails of specific instances where the candidate believesthe Centre did not follow the correct processes, proceduresor policy documents in reaching the original Enquirydecision. Additional supporting documents can beincluded with the application and must be clearlyreferenced.The Head of Centre and Senior Examiner will review theAppeal, the original papers, the invigilation recording aswell as the feedback report and the response to thecandidate and will submit the appeal to the ExternalVerifier for review.The External Verifier will consider all submitted appealpaperwork and will feedback to the Centre with anyappropriate action they require to take. The Centre will then compile a written response to thecandidate communicating the outcome of the appeal. Theoutcome response will include detail of the externalverification review and any changes to their mark andsubsequent grade for that paper/s.

Questions?If you require any additional information or have any queriesor questions, please contact the Centre directly at vncertecc@vets-now.com or 01383 627624.If you're not sure, just ask!AppendicesJQA Special ConsiderationguideAppeals