There are a lot of different terms used in the education industry. We thought we'd help clarify a few expressions for you, see below.
Appeal
A request to the awarding body (i.e. Rockschool) to carry out checks on the marks or grades awarded as a result of the candidate being dissatisfied with the result of their assessment. Please see
Rockschool's Appeals Policy for the grounds of appeal accepted by Rockschool.
Assessment Criteria
Descriptions of the requirements a learner is expected to meet to demonstrate that a learning outcome has been achieved.
Band Exam
A type of graded examination taken by the whole band, playing the parts from the syllabus guides together, as a group. They are Performance Certificates, so consist of the performance pieces only.
Band exams are available at Grades 3, 5 and 8 in Guitar, Bass, Drums and Band Based Keys.
For more information please view the Band Exams section of our website.
Core Unit
A unit that is compulsory for the chosen pathway, chosen by Rockschool for its relevance to the chosen pathway.
Credit
An award made to a learner in recognition of the achievement of the designated learning outcomes of a unit. The credit value is the number of credits awarded for a particular qualification.
Each credit is broadly equivalent to 10 hours of learning.
Free Choice Pieces
In the graded examinations, with the exception of Entry Level, candidates may chose to play one track of their own choice, deemed by Rockschool to be technically equivalent to the grade being sat.
You can learn more about the free choice piece criteria view the Free Choice Pieces section of our website.
Grade Exam
Qualifications that assess progressive mastery on a musical instrument. They are available from Entry Level up to Grade 8 and offer a structured framework for progression.
Guided Learning Hours
Guided Learning Hours (GLH) are defined as all times when a member of staff is present to give specific guidance towards the qualification a learner is undertaking.
Learning Outcome
A statement of what a learner can be expected to know, understand or do as a result of a process of learning.
NDAQ
National Database of Accredited Qualifications, the
database that contains details of all accredited qualifications.
Optional Unit
Units that can be selected by the learner to form a programme of learning, which together with the core unit will qualify them for their chosen qualification.
Pathway
A specific profile of study that will provide learners with a range of skills needed to operate successfully as a musician in a particular context. The pathway informs the unit choices that learners
are guided to make.
Performance Certificate
A type of graded music exam that is focused on performance. Candidates are required to perform 5 pieces, and no other tests or exercises.
Performance Points
Performance points are calculated by the Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency (QCDA) on behalf of the Department for Education and applied to all eligible approved qualifications for use in compiling the School Achievement and Attainment Tables. School Achievement and Attainment Tables can be used by parents to help decide where to send their child and can be used as a measure of success for a school to be judged by.
Syllabus Guide
A book which provides teachers and learners with practical information about a particular qualification, including what will be assessed, the assessment criteria and, for graded examinations, the performance
pieces and examples of technical exercises and musicianship tests.
QCF
QCF, Qualifications and Credit Framework, is a new framework for creating and accrediting qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The QCF was designed to recognise smaller steps of learning and help meet industry needs.
Learners taking accredited qualifications build up credit that can be accumulated and that is transferrable. All Rockschool qualifications are QCF accredited.
For more information please view the QCF Information section of our website.
UCAS
UCAS, Universities & Colleges Admissions Service, is a service for students wishing to use their qualifications to gain access to full-time undergraduate degree programmes at UK universities and colleges. UCAS converts qualifications into points, known as UCAS points, which can then be added together to give a total that can be used as a requirement to get on to a course.
For more information please view the UCAS Points section of our website.
Unit
A coherent set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria with a title, credit value and level.
Unit Specification
An outline of the learning outcomes and assessment requirements for a given unit.
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