How assessment decisions are made

Last updated: October 2026

Official tests are marked automatically against the awarding body's answer key. Centre staff oversee test conditions and investigate concerns. A qualified assessor decides whether NVQ evidence meets the criteria, and GQA Qualifications awards the qualification.

We explain the checks people make and how to ask for a human review below. For information about your data rights, see the privacy notice.

1. Who oversees each assessment step

Official tests. The test is marked automatically against the awarding body's answer key. A live invigilator oversees the sitting. A person investigates concerns and handles appeals. GQA awards the qualification.
English check. An AI reads a written copy of what you said and suggests green, amber or red. Our staff (a centre admin or coordinator) watch your recording and decide. Only our staff can accept your check or ask you to record again.
NVQ and competence evidence. An AI tool may check that the required pieces are present and draft a note for the assessor. A named assessor then decides. Internal quality assurance samples assessor decisions independently.
Identity checks. If you agreed to the automatic face check, Stripe checks your ID document and selfie and returns a result. Our staff look at any unclear identity check before you are stopped from sitting a test. If you did not agree, our staff check your ID document themselves. A vendor score never awards a qualification.
Integrity flags. If an invigilator raises a concern, a person investigates. Nothing is reported to GQA automatically.

2. What is scored automatically, and why that is different

Practice and mock tests are marked automatically against the answer key and do not count towards your qualification. Official tests are also marked automatically against the awarding body's answer key. Centre staff oversee test conditions. People investigate integrity concerns and handle appeals. A qualified assessor decides whether NVQ evidence meets the criteria, and GQA awards the qualification.

3. Request a review of a decision

Write to hello@demo.skillcertify.co.uk and use our appeals policy. We will name the person who took the decision and the evidence they used.