BTEC International Level 3 Applied Science

Unit 15: Unit 15 — assessment criteria

BTEC International Level 3 Unit 15 (Unit 15) — 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 characteristics of the five main types of pathogens and a disease caused by each.
A.P2Investigate the energy produced from a series of electrochemical cells.
A.P3Explain how energy is produced from the combustion of organic compound fuels.
B.P3Explain how infectious diseases can be transmitted.
B.P4Describe acid-base chemistry used in fertiliser manufacture and other agricultural uses.
B.P5Synthesise a salt for use as a fertiliser.
C.P4Describe the causes and effects of three environmental diseases.
C.P6Describe how features of organic compounds influence the use and action of medicines.
C.P7Synthesise and purify an organic compound used for a medical application.
C.P8Explain how analytical techniques are used to identify an organic compound for a medical application.
D.P5Explain the components of the specific and the non-specific defences, in protecting the body.

Merit

7 criteria
A.M1Analyse the feasibility of redox reactions for electrochemical cells and of combustion reactions using standard electrode potentials and energetics.
B.M2Calculate concentration, pH and equilibrium dissociation constants for a range of acids and bases.
B.M3Explain the action of buffers to maintain the pH of soil.
C.M3Analyse methods that can be used to reduce the effects of environmental pollutants.
C.M4Illustrate functional group and aromatic chemistry, using organic molecules found in medicines.
C.M5Assess the yield and the purity of the organic compound synthesised.
D.M4Compare the roles of the specific and non-specific defence mechanisms in the human body.

Distinction

5 criteria
A.D1Analyse how an infectious and a non-infectious disease will progress over time, and the effects this may have on affected individuals.
B.D2Evaluate the role of organisations in limiting the spread of infectious diseases.
C.D3Evaluate the impact of environmental pollution on human health and potential solutions.
C.D4Analyse how isomers are produced in synthesis using a range of organic mechanisms.
D.D4Evaluate the roles of the cell-mediated and humoral responses to pathogens.

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.

ExplainInvestigateDescribeSynthesiseAnalyseCalculateIllustrateAssessCompareEvaluate
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 15

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.