Ross Woods, rev. Oct. '19
If you have learnt a lot through experience since you last studied, why don’t you simply apply for the assessment? Your school can recognize your current abilities regardless of how they were acquired, and you can earn a recognized qualification or transcript.
You can be assessed for what you have learned through:
Schools with RPL systems do not refuse assessment because you didn't sit the classes. And if you pass the assessment, you are not differentiated in any way from those who sat through classes, and the credentials are exactly the same.
This is called Recognition of Prior learning (RPL), and all units offered may be assessed this way. You must be able to show that your skills are current, and that you have the necessary knowledge and understanding. You are assessed according to the same criteria as students taking classes, and this will sometimes require written work.
Its advantages are:
This will depend greatly on what you have done and whether it fits an existing qualification. It will also depend on the fields of study included with the ACAS's accredited scope and expertise. There is no limit to the amount of experience-based credit you can use for a qualification; it can be the whole qualification. If you do not meet all requirements, you will still receive a nationally recognized Statement of Attainment for all units in which you have been successful.
Although the admitting officer should ask you about RPL, you should also take responsibility to ask for it. Tell us what you might have learnt so far, where you feel your career is going, and how you might get there.
It is normal to have more than one way of assessing students for RPL, and the assessor will guide you. In every case, the mode of assessment must suit the skills being assessed.
Some ways are faster, less paper driven, and require little preparation. Others are quite the opposite. In any case, you should have a current job description, Curriculum Vitae, and references.
Consider these examples:
What have you already learnt through your life and work experience? What have you done? At a more personal level, some people (especially those who have been out of the workforce for a while) might need to look at their self-esteem, confidence, and fears.
At this stage, you should discuss what you have done have done with an admissions officer. As there are many options, you might need advice to select the qualification or statement of attainment that is right for you, and the units that suit what you have learnt. Please be aware that your assessor can assess only a limited range of units.
As you go, discuss the requirements and relate them to your particular situation, identify any skill gaps, and decide out if or how you might fill them.
Get an enrollment number for your admission officer, fill in the online application form, and pay fees. When you have been accepted, your admissions officer further guide you.
Describe what you have learnt verbally, and write it in your CV form and/or self-assessment form. You might benefit from discussion with an assessor.
Then revise and polish this document so it is more useful for the assessment process. For example, you may want to expand on important topics and give less space to those that cannot be verified.
Take the assessment in the form set by the assessor.
Your school will inform you of any other assessment requirements. This will normally include an interview and/or a reference directly from your organization. It will not be an ordinary reference but will refer specifically to unit requirements.
Your school verifies your portfolio, assesses you, and then issues you an assessment. This is the final assessment unless you have chosen to take extra units by later on. If deficiencies are minor, the assessor may permit adjustments but will not conduct a full second assessment. You can appeal if you think the assessment result is unfair.
Receive your graduation diploma, transcript, advanced placement, or admission into a higher qualification.
If your assessor will assess you through a portfolio, gather your documents that help show that you have met the requirements. Then assemble them in order so that the assessor can understand them easily.
Assessments of some practical skills might also require an onsite visit to your workplace.
Gather your portfolio of documents that indicate that you have met the competencies. You will normally need two separate items for every skill in each unit you wish to take. However, this guideline can vary in some circumstances. Some units specify more and a few units may require only one. In some cases, the interview might count as one of the items, but you would be unwise to depend on it.
However, the assessor may ask for more evidence if he/she identifies risks in the assessment or if the portfolio is not yet conclusive.
It should include a comprehensive Curriculum Vitae that emphasizes factual details relating to the units that are being assessed. If you do not already have a CV, please use the form provided. (MSWord).
The list of examples below will guide you to consider what relevant documents you already have, although it would be very unusual for anybody to have all examples below. Don't worry if you don't have something, just submit what you have.
Documents will be photocopies or certified copies. Assessors may ask to see originals.
Examples:
If records were not nationally recognized, then you should also provide unit descriptions, handbook statements and any assignments you have done. (The assessor will inform you if more detail is required.)
Supporting documents that are relevant to the units you are applying for:
Standards used to benchmark your performance. These may be used in audits, quality management and/or performance appraisals:
Note: In the case of music performance, recordings can only be used to indicate readiness for live assessment. The sound is normally processed by a technician and cannot be used to assess competence. A series of live performances is necessary.
Before you start assembling your portfolio, check that you have proved that you have adequately addressed all requirements. If you are in difficulty, check with your coordinator.
You need to show the assessor clearly how your documents relate to the specific unit requirements.
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