Internal quality assurance is a crucial element of a centre’s quality assurance system.
Robust, effective internal quality assurance ensures that all learners are assessed fairly and consistently to the specified standard. Internal quality assurance checks that the assessment process (i.e. from pre-course planning to the recommendation for the award of credit) is fit for purpose and is implemented accurately, fairly and consistently.
Internal Quality Assurers (IQAs) must keep accurate written records of the outcomes of the following steps: 1. Pre-course delivery review of units and/or qualifications The IQA checks the validity and suitability of the units and/or qualifications selected by assessors. If the units are no longer suitable (due to the needs of the learner cohort or because the units have expired etc), alternatives are sourced from our unit database or qualification database. 2. Pre-course delivery internal quality assurance The IQA reviews all assessment materials, tasks and methods to ensure they are fit for purpose. 3. Internal quality assurance The IQA develops a sampling plan linking to the assessment plan. The IQA selects a sample of learners’ assessed work to check that assessors are assessing learners’ work accurately, fairly and consistently. The IQA also checks the consistency of assessment decisions across units and/or qualifications. 4. Internal quality assurance of assessment decisions The IQA regularly reviews assessors’ assessment judgements. Mid-course internal quality assurance identifies any issues and provides the opportunity for corrective action to be taken before the award of credit is compromised. The IQA reviews assessors’ judgements with reference to the principles of assessment. 5. Internal quality assurance of practical activities The IQA observes practical assessments where appropriate (i.e. where there is no written or tangible evidence generated by the learner) to observe, monitor and assess learners’ response.