BTEC International Level 3 Land Based Studies

Unit 40: Unit 40 — assessment criteria

BTEC International Level 3 Unit 40 (Unit 40) — 60 Guided Learning Hours.

Internal / Optional60 GLH14 criteria

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

6 criteria
A.P1Explain the significance of plant stress, avoidance mechanisms and defence strategies in plants used in zoological exhibits.
A.P2Explain the nature and effects of plant toxicity, in different species of common plants, on animals in a zoological exhibit
B.P3Produce a planting design for a basic zoological exhibit.
B.P4Explain the suitability of own zoological design.
C.P5Produce a basic plan for managing plant stock and health in a zoological exhibit.
C.P6Explain the role of plant conservation in a zoological exhibit.

Merit

5 criteria
A.M1Analyse the nature of common plant toxins and how they impact on animals in a zoological exhibit.
B.M2Produce a detailed planting design for a complex zoological exhibit.
B.M3Analyse the suitability of own planting design for a complex zoological
C.M4Produce a detailed plan for managing plant stock and health in a zoological exhibit.
C.M5Analyse the importance of plant conservation in a zoological exhibit.

Distinction

3 criteria
A.D1Evaluate the impact of plant toxicity on animals in a zoological exhibit
B.D2Produce a comprehensive planting design for a complex zoological exhibit, evaluating the suitability of own planting design.
C.D3Produce a comprehensive plan for managing plant stock and health in a zoological exhibit, evaluating the role of plant conservation on the overall success of the zoological exhibit.

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.

ExplainProduceAnalyseEvaluate
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 40

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

More Level 3 Land Based Studies 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.