BTEC International Level 3 Applied Science

Unit 14: Unit 14 — assessment criteria

BTEC International Level 3 Unit 14 (Unit 14) — 60 Guided Learning Hours.

Internal / Optional60 GLH23 criteria
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Assessment criteria

Reproduced verbatim from the Pearson specification — the same grid the assignment brief carries. A unit grade is the highest band where all criteria in that band (and every band below it) are met.

Pass

11 criteria
A.P1Explain the structure and function of DNA and various nucleic acids.
A.P2Describe uses of carbohydrates in real-world applications.
B.P3Explain the stages involved in the human respiratory pathway.
B.P4Describe factors that can affect respiration.
B.P5Describe effects of activity on respiration in humans.
C.P4Carry out investigations to collect and record data for mono and dihybrid
C.P5Explain genetic crosses between non-affected, affected and carriers of
C.P6Explain the stages involved in photosynthesis in plants.
C.P7Investigate factors that affect the rate of photosynthesis.
D.P6Extract, separate and amplify DNA.
D.P7Explain the use of genetic engineering technologies in industry and medicine.

Merit

8 criteria
A.M1Explain the links between the structure and function of biological molecules and their role in living organisms.
A.M2Explain uses of carbohydrates in real-world applications.
B.M2Demonstrate skilful preparation of microscopic slides to observe and draw the stages of mitosis and meiosis.
B.M3Discuss the behaviour of the chromosomes during the cell cycle stages of mitosis and meiosis.
B.M4Explain the harmful effects of factors on human respiration.
C.M4Analyse data to explain the correlation between observed pattern of
C.M5Analyse primary and secondary data to explain factors that affect the rate of photosynthesis.
D.M6Analyse the uses of genetic engineering technologies in industry and medicine.

Distinction

4 criteria
A.D1Evaluate the effects of disruption of biochemical processes in living organisms.
B.D2Evaluate the effects of harmful substances on the efficiency of human respiration.
C.D3Make valid predictions on patterns of monohybrid and dihybrid inheritance
D.D4Evaluate possible future uses of genetic engineering technologies.

Command verbs in this unit

The verb decides the depth expected — that is what separates Pass from Merit and Distinction work on the same learning aim.

ExplainDescribeCarryInvestigateExtractDemonstrateDiscussAnalyseEvaluateMake
Pearson's ladder runs Identify → Describe → Explain → Compare / Analyse → Evaluate / Justify / Assess. A Merit or Distinction criterion on the same aim always implies the Pass beneath it: an “evaluate” answer that never first “explains” fails, however polished it reads. Hover a verb for what it demands.

How checkb.tech checks this unit

Upload a learner's submission and checkb.tech reads it against exactly these criteria, reporting each one as met, partly met, or not met — with the evidence that informed the verdict cited, so every call is auditable.

The check runs against the official Pearson documents for this unit, and identical evidence always produces an identical result — the same script gets the same verdict every time.

It never awards a grade. You stay the assessor: confirm, dismiss, or act on every criterion before your assessment decision is final.

Verification & Quality Tools for Unit 14

Free Lead IV and assessor utilities configured for Pearson BTEC International specifications.

More Level 3 Applied Science units

Criteria and aim text reproduced for teacher reference from the official Pearson qualification documentation (Pearson BTEC International Level 3 Qualifications). BTEC is a registered trademark of Pearson Education Limited. checkb.tech is an independent tool — not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Pearson. It never awards a grade; the teacher stays the assessor.