When doing NVQs you don't take formal written exams, you just collect and submit evidence, usually from your work. NVQs are based on standards of competence, which specify the skills, knowledge and understanding you'll need. The evidence you collect is assessed against the standards of competence on which the NVQ is based.  

What are standards?

A standard is composed of:

• an element which describes the tasks people have to do to be able to perform in the area of work the unit covers

• performance criteria which describe the level of competence that has to be achieved

• range statements which detail the circumstances and applications in which the task covered by the element has to be performed

• the underpinning knowledge which is the essential knowledge needed to demonstrate competence that cannot be shown by performance alone.

Standards are grouped into units (description of the expected outcome within a specific occupational function). These units are used to form NVQs.  For each unit, candidates have to produce evidence requirements. These are assessed against the standards and are used to award the NVQ.  

Want to find out more about NVQs? In this section there's an example from a UK NVQ in Providing Financial Advice at level 111. Although the units and elements are different in each NVQ, the qualification always takes the same form. The example:

• lists the units making up the NVQ

• breaks down the last unit into its elements

• then gives the performance criteria and range statements for the final element