So you’ve finished typing up your BTEC assignment and you’ve stared at it for so long that you probably never want to see it again. You might feel like you’re done and dusted, but have you done one last check? Follow our top tips to make sure you’ve covered everything and ensure that your work is used by future generations of students as the holy grail of assignments…
1. Check the specification
Have the specification to hand to compare your work against – this will detail everything you need to cover in your assignment to achieve those high marks. You can find these specifications on the Pearson website. The specification will explain key topics that need to be included, as well as how to understand the difference between a pass, merit and distinction assignment.
2. Take a look at examples
The internet is full of tonnes of example assignments, and you can even check the Pearson website for sample pieces that can help guide your own work. Don’t be tempted to copy anything though as you could fail due to plagiarism, instead use the examples to look at how the candidate has structured their response to the question. This, paired with the unit specification, should lead to a winning assignment.
3. Ask your teacher, friend or family member
Once you’re happy your assignment ticks all the boxes specification-wise, it’s time to get someone you trust to read it to make sure it makes sense, has a good flow and answers the question. If commas aren’t your strong point for example, ask a comma expert to cast an eye over it, just in case.
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4. Spellcheck is your friend
Humans can miss things, so don’t forget to run a trusty spellcheck and be smart about the suggestions – for example, make sure your spellcheck is set to UK English, not American, as it will pick up different spellings. It can also be useful to print your assignment, you'll probably spot things in print that you couldn't spot on your laptop.
5. Get your references right
Have you used any external sources like journals, blogs or textbooks (remember, Wikipedia does NOT count!)? Make sure you reference your sources properly so you don’t accidentally get marked down – or even get a fail – for plagiarism. Your teacher can advise you on the best way to reference your work.
How to get a distinction in your BTEC
Wondering how to achieve a distinction in your BTEC assignments? We’ve written a whole guide on how to hit the top marks.
