BTEC International Level 3 Applied Science

Unit 27: Unit 27 — assessment criteria

BTEC International Level 3 Unit 27 (Unit 27) — 60 Guided Learning Hours.

Internal / Optional60 GLH14 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

7 criteria
A.P1Explain why and how characteristics of ecosystems vary with their distribution around the globe.
A.P2Explain inter- and intra-specific interactions within ecosystems.
B.P3Explain how energy flows through an ecosystem.
B.P4Explain the recycling of water and minerals in an ecosystem.
C.P5Carry out a population survey of a named plant species.
C.P6Carry out a population survey of a named animal species.
D.P7Explain the fragility of ecosystems and their susceptibility and response to disturbance.

Merit

4 criteria
A.M1Analyse the relationships of named species within an ecosystem.
B.M2Explain the energy budget of a named ecosystem.
C.M3Evaluate the species diversity and relative abundance in a specific community, using survey data.
D.M4Analyse the effect of a specific natural disaster on a named species.

Distinction

3 criteria
AB.D1Analyse how the dependencies and interactions of an ecosystem contribute to evolution.
AB.D2Evaluate boom or bust population dynamics data for a named wildlife population, suggesting reasons for this pattern and impacts on the energy budget.
CD.D3Evaluate the impact of a specific human activity in a named ecosystem.

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.

ExplainCarryAnalyseEvaluate
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 27

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.