Certificate in Psychometric Testing, Assessment and Access Arrangements (CPT3A)

This level 7 course is made up of two of our most popular modules. Our Certificate of Competence in Educational Testing (CCET) module will teach you how to use psychometric testing instruments effectively and our Access Arrangements Course (AAC) will show you how to apply them in exam access arrangements. If you already have CCET, you can take the AAC course on its own. Simply look at the AAC course page to find out more.

In addition, CCET will also enable you to:

• Build competence and confidence in educational testing.
• Analyse test manuals to decide if a test is reliable, valid and appropriate to your students.
• Develop hypotheses about your students’ learning and identify barriers to learning.
• Discover how tests are developed and standardised so that you can identify and overcome barriers to learning.
• Know when it is appropriate to undertake a test.
• Gain the vital knowledge that will enable you to read, write and interpret reports, allowing you to better support other professionals, such as educational psychologists.
• Understand and confidently interpret reports from other professionals.
• Become familiar with theories about testing and psychometrics, including relevant statistical concepts.
• Learn how to administer, select and evaluate a range of educational tests and assessments in line with the Data Protection Act.
• Get to grips with the legislative and policy framework.
• Understand the purposes of psychometric testing and assessment and develop the ability to interpret test scores and integrate those test scores with other forms of assessment.
• Carry out an effective assessment of a learner and report the findings in a way that is intelligible to a layperson.
• Access the BPS online database of test reviews.

The AAC will equip you to:

• Understand and apply the principles of access arrangements.
• Get to grips with the essence and implications of the relevant legislation.
• Write suitable and appropriate assessment reports for submission to examination boards where they are required.

CPT3A will allow you to:

• Write reports on access arrangements.
• Meet the latest access arrangements assessor JCQ regulations for exams.
• Lead on the exam access arrangements process and ensure that your access arrangements assessor holds an appropriate qualification.
• Apply to be entered on to the publicly searchable BPS Register of Qualifications in Test Use.
• The opportunity to join our SEND programme as if you have 30 credits, to achieve a PGCert, PGDip or the full MEd SEND!

Our flexible courses are designed to accommodate your day-to-day commitments. 

All of our CPT3A routes allow you up to 12 months to complete your learning and assignments – You will have up to 8 months to complete CCET and up to 4 months to complete AAC.

Depending on your availability and level of prior experience, these courses can be accomplished in a shorter time-frame. 

Please note: you can only commence AAC once you have completed CCET.

Route 1 – Online

Choose this route for fully-flexible learning, designed to fit around your existing commitments, without the requirement for you to be available at a particular time or place. CPT3A Online is delivered via our Campus Online learning platform, which is accessible online anywhere, any time, so you won’t need to take time away from the classroom. You will be able to commence your studies as soon as you have completed payment and registration, then interact with your tutors and peers, track your own progress and access a wealth of engaging and interactive resources at your own pace. 

To choose this option, select CPT3A Route 1 – Fully Online (on demand, self-paced study) in section 2 of the Booking Form.

Route 2 – Intensive

Choose this route to kick start each course with online sessions delivered live by a programme leader (3 days for CCET and 1 day for AAC – available once you have completed CCET) which will be followed by tasks to complete in your setting. For an interactive experience without travel costs, you can join these sessions in real-time. Our CPT3A Intensive course has been designed for those who enjoy a more traditional learning approach and interaction with their peers and tutor.

To choose this option, select CPT3A Route 2 – Fully Intensive (live sessions for both CCET and AAC) in section 2 of the Booking Form.

Route 3 – Classic

Choose this route to experience blended learning with 3-day intensive live online tuition for CCET followed by self-paced online study for AAC. One of the benefits of this option is that once you have completed the CCET course, you will be able to commence your AAC training as soon as you are ready, rather than waiting for the next available AAC intensive date. CPT3A Classic has been designed for those who may prefer to begin the programme with a classroom-style experience then progress through their learning more independently.

To choose this option, select CPT3A Route 3 – Classic (live sessions for CCET only) in section 2 of the Booking Form.

Please note:

If you have already achieved your CCET qualification, then you can take the AAC course on its own.

Find out more about the intensive and online modes of study.

2023

• 6-8 Dec – Live online

2024

• 12, 15-16 Jan – Live online
• 24-26 Jan – Live online
• 7-9 Feb – Live online
• 6-8 Mar – Live online
• 20-22 Mar – Live online

Interested in a SOLD OUT date? Email us and we’ll place you on our waiting list.

Find out more about CCET or if you’re ready, you can book your place today.

Do you want to book a bespoke three-day CCET course for ten or more participants? Speak to us on +44(0)1273 35 80 80, or email at info@realgroup.co.uk

When can I start AAC Intensive?

The content of the Access Arrangements Course builds heavily upon what you have learnt in the CCET course. Therefore, the CCET module should always be completed before the AAC module. This is to ensure that you possess the requisite skills, competence, and confidence to give context to the content of the AAC course.

If you elect to study AAC Online, you will first need to have successfully completed the CCET course.

If you opt for the intensive route, choose from one of the dates below. Please note your chosen intensive AAC course must follow the date of the intensive CCET and that CCET must be complete before joining the intensive AAC course. If you haven’t managed to complete CCET by your chosen AAC intensive date, you can either wait for the next intensive AAC or transfer to online study at no extra cost. It is best to leave at least three to four months between the end of your three-day intensive CCET and the start of the intensive AAC, so that you can complete the CCET assignments.

AAC intensive dates available:

2024

• 19 January – Online face-to-face event

Please note: If you are looking to book the CPT3A Intensive and these dates are not suitable for you, please select the  ‘AAC intensive- TBC’ option on the booking form and you’ll be able to choose a course once you have completed CCET

Find out more about AAC or if you’re ready, you can book your place today.

Add real value to your school

• Save money, bring assessment skills in-house.
• Ensure value for money from support services – with your improved ability to target and commission quality services.
• Be able to provide accurate and reliable evidence and advice to parents, colleagues and managers.
• Gain real expertise in the reading and writing of professional reports.
• Register competence on the publicly searchable BPS Register of Qualifications in Test Use.
• Complete the extension module (AAC) and you will be able to write reports for access arrangements.

Learn on the job

• Harness your day-to-day professional experience and work with your tutor to develop your skills.
• Theories, reflection and activities will help you to explore aspects of your own and others’ practice.

Engage with flexible e-learning

• Study online and integrate your learning into your working day.
• Take part in a flexible module that draws on a broad range of learning tasks and practical experience.
• Work closely with your peers and dedicated tutors online.
• Experience mentoring and work placements that really complement your learning.
• Utilise the latest video and multimedia content, case studies and problem-based scenarios, directed reading, structured learning logs, online discussion, online questionnaires, peer evaluation and webinars.

Gain the respected CPT3A qualification

Upon completion, you will be awarded the CPT3A qualification. This demonstrates that you have met the requirements of the JCQ and the access arrangement regulations.

Connect with your peers and liaise with experienced tutors

• Obtain exclusive access to our virtual learning platform, Campus Online.
• Interact with your peers using our advanced learning platform and our unique student forum.
• Enjoy dedicated specialist support from a broad range of experienced tutors.
• Receive expert guidance from us throughout the course.

CCET

Educational test administration

• Introduction to testing.
• Administering and scoring tests correctly and accurately.
• Maintaining security and confidentiality of the test materials and test data.

The statistical principles of psychometrics

• Standardisation and how tests are created.
• Interpretation of data in comparison to the rest of the population.
• Test theory and reliability – how accurate and reliable are tests?
• Validity – how do we know what tests are actually measuring?

Using attainment and ability tests

• Theories of intelligence and how they affect test construction.
• Test bias, influences on outcomes, and making adjustments to accommodate disability – including anti-discriminatory practice.
• Choosing tests that meet your needs and are fit for purpose.

Assessment, interpretation and giving feedback

• Making good decisions about using psychologist tests.
• Interpreting test data and using it correctly and wisely.
• Providing written and oral feedback to clients and their carers.
• Using and understanding alternatives to test data.

AAC

• Cover the essential principles of access and equality legislation.
• Get to grips with the key principles and legislation that underpin examination access arrangements.
• Gain access to some of the most useful international and domestic information sources.
• Compare the key principles, legislation and practices in a variety of contexts.
• Assess a client in your setting for access arrangements.
• Grasp and be able to summarise the key assessment principles.
• Engage with a broad range of illustrative case studies.
• Be able to write Form 8s and File Notes that are fit for purpose and which meet JCQ requirements.

CCET

You will need to produce:

• Multiple-choice questionnaires on the purpose and types of assessment and statistical principles.
• A paper on the statistical principles that underpin psychometric tests.
• A critical review of an educational test in line with European standards.
• A test paper on intelligence testing and discrimination.
• Video evidence of test administration competence.
• A comprehensive written report of an assessment, including test scores from at least two administered psychometric tests.
• Video evidence of competent oral feedback to a client or the client’s parents/carers.

AAC

You will need to:

• View content to familiarise yourself with the JCQ regulations and the Equality Act, Form 8 and file note completion and online application for exam access. 
• Complete multiple-choice questionnaire on JCQ regulations, principles, exam access application and the Equality Act.
• Complete a practice, formative Form 8 assessment for one of two given case studies. 
• Assess a suitable student without a medical need or EHCP using appropriate test/s, anonymise and upload correctly completed and scored examiner forms. 
• Complete and upload a summative, anonymised Form 8 for that student. 

Delegates completing CCET will need to have access to two different tests. There is no longer a requirement for delegates to use one test of ability and one test of attainment. However, both tests need to be manually administered (i.e. a computerised test will not be accepted) and must provide a standard score, confidence range and percentile.

Real Group runs the Dyslexia Action Shop which sells many of the most popular tests from the main test publishers in the UK and USA. We offer delegates a 10% discount. Another option is to utilise our Study Purchase Scheme.

Please note: we have no control over the rules that publishers use to decide who is eligible to buy their tests and we will need to follow their guidance when selling tests. We may need you to provide information regarding qualifications for us to check your eligibility.

You will need to be working in or have access to an educational setting in order to complete some of the work for both CCET and AAC.

CCET is an open-access course

You will not need any prior qualifications for the Certificate of Competence in Educational Testing (CCET) part of the course.

AAC restrictions and impact on CPT3A

The latest guidance from the JCQ dictates that all access arrangements assessors ‘either hold an appropriate qualification to teach and make recommendations for secondary aged adult learners who have learning difficulties or be a HCPC registered psychologist.’ (JCQ, 2023, p.83)

We therefore require that applicants hold: 

• An appropriate qualification to teach

For which, in order to be eligible, at least one of these will apply to you: 

1. I hold QTS or QTLS.
2. I am a teacher in the non-maintained sector [but do not hold QTS or QTLS].
3. I am a lecturer in the FE sector [but do not hold QTS or QTLS].
4. I have a qualification to teach from somewhere other than the UK.
5. I have completed a PGCE.
6. I have level 5/7 SpLD specialist teacher/practitioner qualifications which would make me eligible for ADG/ATS/APS.
7. I am employed or qualified as a Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA)

• An undergraduate degree 

If, however, you do not possess an undergraduate degree but believe that you are ready for level 7 study, you will need to complete a pre-course eligibility essay on the purposes of assessment in education. Upon submission, if your essay shows that you are ready to study at level 7, then you will be able to take the Certificate in Psychometric Testing, Assessment and Access Arrangements (CPT3A) with us. Alternatively, you can enrol and complete CCET first to demonstrate you can study at level 7 and then book AAC once this has been successfully accomplished. 

Please note, you can only commence the AAC course if you meet this criteria and complete CCET first. 

Due to JCQ guidelines, we cannot accept Teaching Assistants or Learning Support Assistants onto the AAC or CPT3A course. If you currently work in one of these roles and your Head of Centre is keen for you to complete CPT3A so that you can become your setting’s approved Access Arrangements Assessor, they will need to formally appoint you as a Higher Level Teaching Assistant before you can be considered eligible for the course. Read the JCQ’s latest assessor criteria.

After enrolling on a course, we will ask you  to complete a pre-course information questionnaire that will check your eligibility, additionally your Head of Centre will be asked to sign a declaration to state that they believe you hold a suitable qualification(s). In the unlikely event that you are not eligible, you will be entitled to withdraw from the course and the fee will be cancelled.

English Language requirements

If English is not your first language, to be eligible, you will need a high level of competence in the use of English, equivalent to at least 6.5 ( with a minimum of 6 in each component ) in the IELTS test or TOEFL 575 (paper based), 237 (computer based). You will be asked to confirm this as part of the booking process.

Please note: This stipulation is for non-native English speakers.

We offer a flexible range of fees to suit your finances:

Route 1: Online (CCET Online and AAC Online)

• Online – £2,225 + VAT
• Online in 3 instalments – 3 x £767 + VAT = £2,300 + VAT
• Online in 10 instalments – 10 x £235 + VAT = £2,345 + VAT (requires UK bank account)

Route 2: Intensive (CCET Intensive and AAC Intensive)

• Intensive – £2,795 + VAT
• Intensive in 3 instalments – 3 x £957 + VAT = £2,870 +VAT
• Intensive in 10 instalments – 10 x £292 + VAT = £2,915 + VAT (requires UK bank account)

Route 3: Classic (CCET Intensive and AAC Online)

• Classic – £2,795 + VAT
• Classic in 3 instalments – 3 x £957 + VAT = £2,870 + VAT
• Classic in 10 instalments – 10 x £292 + VAT = £2,915 + VAT (requires UK bank account)

Speak to us (01273 358080) or make a booking.

For further information please visit our payment FAQ page.

The duration of the CPT3A qualification is up to one year. As a benchmark, we would recommend allowing up to 8 months for CCET and up to 4 months for AAC. Depending on your availability and level of prior experience, you could however achieve the CPT3A qualification in a shorter time-frame.

We do understand, however, that circumstances can arise that could prevent the course being completed in this time period. If this is the case, an extension can be arranged in conjunction with the admin team and your tutor.

“This is the second course I have done with Real Training and I would recommend them to anybody. The course leaders are encourage, supportive and prompt with feedback – I have even had guidance over the telephone! My career has gone from strength to strength since starting the course, as I have been able to take the lead on ALN developments and assessments due to the knowledge I have retained. I hope to continue studying with Real Training in order to gain a Masters in SEN.” – Nadia

“Please use Real Training if you want to become an access arrangements assessor! It is a flexible, robust and supportive course run by professional and engaging tutors.” – Hannah

“When I started the course my confidence was at a low as I had experienced a knock back when applying for an assessment practising certificate. My knowledge of assessing needed a boost and now I feel that it has been significantly deepened.” – Frances

“Fantastic course, it’s definitely a must!” Kirsha from Sunmarke School, U.A.E

“One of the best courses I have attended. Informative, well delivered and organised.” – Javene from GEMS First Point School, U.A.E

“Amazing and should be a part of the general teaching qualification.” – Tracey from GEMS Metropole School, U.A.E

1. First, it provides public recognition of your competence, which means that your name can be found by anyone wanting to check your qualifications.
2. Secondly, you get access to information including test reviews and a quarterly journal entitled Assessment & Development Matters (ADM)
3. Thirdly, it provides a framework for your ongoing professional development.  

• Join our SEND programme as if you have 30 Masters level credits. Achieve a Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, or even the full Masters of Education in SEND!
• Become a Specialist SpLD Assessor: Achieve a Level 5 or Level 7 SpLD Specialist Teaching qualification (which is eligible for Associate (ADG) membership of The Dyslexia Guild or equivalent membership with a recognised professional body), be registered with the British Psychological Society Register of Qualifications in Test Use (BPS RQTU) as a Test User, and go on to study our Dyslexia – Professional Report Writing (DPRW) module.