AAT updates Premier Training on exams, memberships and more

The AAT are exploring alternative approaches to their assessments – and will be reviewing the synoptic assessment schedule when possible.

Those were just some of the updates when the AAT’s Dan Winterburn joined Premier Training’s Facebook Live catch-up last week.

Despite the current situation, Dan confirmed that it is very much business as usual in terms of the support that the AAT can provide students.

He added that this is an opportunity for students to spend their time productively by continuing with their studies and focusing on that end goal of achieving a qualification.

“The accounting profession is now more important than ever,” he remarked. “When we come out of this, businesses will need accounting technicians and people qualifying that have all the knowledge that the AAT qualification provides.”

As part of the lunchtime video catch-up, Dan answered five of the most common questions that the AAT are being asked at the moment.

On results and certificate release dates…

All marking, result releases and certification will be completed to our published timescales for assessments sat and submitted prior to the suspension on 22^nd March 2020.

On additional synoptic windows once restrictions are lifted…

All our AAT Exams are available on demand apart from two synoptic assessments (Levels 3 and 4). We’ll be reviewing the synoptic assessment schedule as soon as we know when the current restrictions on educational institutions will be lifted.

On provisions for students to sit assessments remotely…

We’re exploring alternative approaches to our assessments. We don’t currently offer remote invigilation, but we’re regularly talking with the qualifications regulator as well as evaluating our own system capabilities, to identify possible options. We’ll keep you updated with any developments or decisions.

On awarding average grades…

AAT qualifications are used to demonstrate competence and skills at various levels and are linked directly in some cases to either a licence to practise or professional membership. For these qualifications, it may not be appropriate to use an ‘estimation’ approach to outcomes. We are monitoring the situation in line with government and regulator guidance.

On membership fees…

All programme registrations for active short qualifications will be extended by three months, including reopening those that finished from March 1st and extending them. April and May Accounting Qualifications students who have one or two assessments left to complete their level with be given an extension of three months. All students affected will be contacted directly.

In addition to the support available from training providers, the AAT also have a range of resources available for students.

These include their dedicated Coronavirus Resources page where students can find a host of materials and methods to support their studies; and The Learning Portal, a brand new way to manage and maximise studies. Further updates are also available here.

• If you are interested in studying with the AAT and would like further advice, please feel free to contact their Student Recruitment Advisors by emailing recruitment@aat.org.uk
• If you are an AAT student please feel free to email or call the Customer Support team who are dedicated to supporting students: 020 3735 2468 / customer.support@aat.org.uk