Vinay Thawait, Computer Science, IT and Creative iMedia Subject Advisor

The first of our exciting new Level 3 Cambridge Advanced Nationals (AAQs) qualifications are available for first teaching from September 2025.These include the Cambridge Advanced National (AAQ) in Computing: Application Development and the Cambridge Advanced National (AAQ) in IT: Data Analytics. 

Our AAQ in Cyber Security and Networks has been submitted to DfE and Ofqual for funding approval to first teach from September 2026. You can download the draft specification and the sample assessment materials.

We’ve held a series of webinars about these qualifications, giving teachers a chance to ask questions. In my previous blog I answered general questions about the qualifications and in this second post I’ll share answers to questions that have been raised about the non-examined assessment (NEA). 

What is the assessment model for NEA units?

Cambridge Advanced National qualifications have a compensatory approach. This means that the unit grade awarded is based on the total number of achieved assessment criteria for the NEA unit (see the relevant specification, Section 6.4).

This is not a hurdle-based approach, so students do not have to achieve all assessment criteria for a specific grade to achieve that unit grade. For example, a student does not need to achieve all Pass criteria to achieve a Pass grade. 

The unit grade awarded is based on the total number of achieved criteria for the unit which can come from the combination of any of the assessment criteria (Pass, Merit or Distinction). 

The number of assessment criteria needed for each unit grade at Pass, Merit or Distinction has been built into each assignment. These are referred to as design thresholds. The table below shows the design thresholds for each grade outcome for the NEA assessments in these qualifications.

What software applications should we use for NEA units?

We have published a guidance document on Teach Cambridge for teachers which includes software suggestions for teachers for both IT: Data Analytics and Computing: Application development qualifications. 

When do I make NEA unit entries for my students?

You must make NEA unit entries for the window in which you will request moderation. The entry deadlines are as follows.

2025/26 deadlines:

2026/27 deadlines:

See our website for more details on registration and entries.

Will OCR set the NEA assignments?

• OCR-set assignments are used for students’ summative assessments. For each unit we will publish a new NEA set assignment each year. They will be live for two years. 
• Each new set assignment will be released on 1 June. The assignments are taken by students under supervised conditions (unless we specify otherwise in the assessment guidance), assessed by the teacher internally and moderated by us externally. 
• Students can complete the tasks and produce the evidence across several sessions. Teachers must keep students’ evidence (hard copy or digital) securely and must control access to assessment responses. Students are not allowed to access their work in between the assessment sessions.

When does NEA moderation take place?

There are two moderation windows for these qualifications each academic year, in February and June. For 2025/26, the first moderation window will be in spring 2026 and the second in summer 2026. In following years, window 1 will open earlier:

2025/26:

2026/27 (provisional dates):

What feedback and advice can I give to students?

You can discuss work in progress towards summative assessment with students to make sure work is being done in a planned and timely way. 

You can give generic guidance to the whole class. This could include reminding students to check they have provided evidence to cover all key aspects of the task. You can prompt individual students to double check for gaps in evidence, providing that you do not point out specific gaps.

You can give general feedback and support if one or more students are struggling to get started on an aspect of the assignment, or following a break between sessions.

Your feedback must not provide specific advice and guidance that would be construed as coaching. 

Make sure you are familiar with the JCQ guidance on artificial intelligence before assessment starts. 

You can find more information in section 7.3, Feedback, in the specifications.

What about NEA submission?

• There are two windows each year to submit NEA outcomes and request a face-to-face or a virtual moderation visit by an OCR assessor. 
• There is one resubmission opportunity for each NEA assignment. We use the term ‘resubmission’ when referring to student work that has previously been submitted to OCR for moderation. Following OCR moderation, students can attempt to improve their work for you to assess and provide the final mark to us. 
• Student’s work for the same NEA assignment must be resubmitted in the next available moderation series. See details in section 7 of the spec.
• If a student resits an NEA unit, they must submit new, amended or enhanced work, as detailed in the JCQ Instructions for Conducting Coursework. 
• A student’s best result will be used to calculate the certification result.

Where can I get more information?

For more information, you can download our specifications, sample assessment materials, mapping and switching guides and scheme of works from our qualifications webpage. 

Stay connected

If you have any questions please email us at vocational.qualifications@ocr.org.uk or support@ocr.org.uk. You can also follow us on LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter) or call our customer support centre on 01223 553998.

You can also sign up to receive email updates about resources and support and you can stay up to date using our dedicated support area. 

If you are considering teaching any of our qualifications, use our online form to let us know, so that we can help you with more information.

About the author

Vinay joined OCR in July 2014 to support the GQ reform and development of the AS and A Level Computer Science qualifications. Since then, he has been involved in the development of the reformed GCSE (9-1) Computer Science, Entry Level Computer Science, Cambridge National in IT, new Level 3 Cambridge Advanced National (AAQ) in IT: Data Analytics and Level 3 Cambridge Advanced National (AAQ) in Computing: Application development qualification. He is currently working on the Wave 1b Level 3 Cambridge Advanced National (AAQ) in Cyber Security and Networks qualification.  

Before joining OCR, Vinay spent more than 25 years in IT and Computer Science teaching and leadership roles, working for several schools as well as local authorities educational support team. He was the National Bid Lead for the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) initiative within Capita IT, and also the Head of Operations for an audio-visual educational software development company.  

Vinay has a degree, three post-graduate masters and NPQH from Warwick, Coventry, and Nottingham Universities. Outside work, he takes part in karate, cricket, and badminton. He doesn’t believe in ‘just sitting down and watching TV’.