AAT NVQ or Diploma? - The Book-keepers Forum (UK)

Nikki P · Member

AAT NVQ or Diploma?

Shamus · Forum Moderator & Expert

Hi Nikki,

it all changes in June and the two get merged into a single stream. (And the head of the AAT is spitting feathers that the two routes are still being sold by training companies who know that the exams will not be available by the time that the students come to take them!).

However, for the moment the main difference is that the NVQ route assumes that you are gaining work based experience and you need to gather a portfolio evidence as you go whilst the diploma route is aimed at those wanting to do the qualification before taking up employment.

The actual content of the two routes is very similar. A good place to view the difference between the two paths is the premier training website that shows the modules at each level of each path.

In real terms if you pass by either route it is still AAT and both are regarded in the same high esteem by employers.

hope that this helps,

Shaun.

Amanda · Expert

Hi Nikki and Shamus,

I read on the AAT web yesterday that some of the exams are going to be computer ones anyway bit like the current theory driving test. So you get your results there and then and you are not governed to Dec and June Sitting. Premier did tell me this a few weeks ago.

Cheers
A

Rhianrach · Expert

Amanda wrote:

Hi Nikki and Shamus,

I read on the AAT web yesterday that some of the exams are going to be computer ones anyway bit like the current theory driving test. So you get your results there and then and you are not governed to Dec and June Sitting. Premier did tell me this a few weeks ago.

Cheers
A

Cant help but think this is going to cheapen the exam, plus as pointed out by my tutor, on the paper exams you can make a mistake that will carry right through the exam (i.e a wrong figure that you keep picking up incorrectly) yet you should only get marked down for it once as your workings should still be correct if you supplement that figure, where as in a computer based exam it's likely to cause you to fail.

I like paper and pen exams they seem more real somehow smile

chellawson · Senior Member

I agree I prefer the paper based exams, mine is due to be taken in June but the my next years course will be under the new structure so will have to see what happens.

Michelle

Maxholt · Veteran Member

Shamus wrote:

it all changes in June and the two get merged into a single stream. (And the head of the AAT is spitting feathers that the two routes are still being sold by training companies who know that the exams will not be available by the time that the students come to take them!).

Hi Shaun

Grateful that I saw this posting - every site I have looked at so far hasn't mentioned any change and are offering the NVQ or Diploma route!

I'm going to go with Premier as you suggested, so I will make an enquiry direct before parting with my money.

-- Edited by Maxholt on Wednesday 10th of March 2010 07:16:46 AM

Shamus · Forum Moderator & Expert

Hi Julie,

the head of the AAT is spitting feathers at the moment about training providers not passing on the news about the upcoming qualification.

In defence though of the training providers they have still not been informed of the new qualification structure so they're probably just trying to avoid a deluge of questions that they cannot answer.

Think you've definitely made a good choice with Premier training.

Shaun.

Maxholt · Veteran Member

Hi Shaun

I emailed Premier Training this morning and the following quote is their response:-

"Thank you for your enquiry regarding the AAT course and I have attached further information on both the NVQ and Diploma pathways which includes the fees.

The standards are changing as from the 1st July 2010 and the AAT are giving student until June 2011 to complete the current standards so this will mean the last exams you can sit on the current standards is June 2011.

If you are enrolling onto the firsts levels either Foundation on the NVQ or Certificate on the Diploma it really doesnt matter as these are classed as the entry levels to the AAT Technician qualification and when you re-enrol onto the next level you will be enrolling onto the AAT Level 3 Diploma in Accounting and then the AAT Level 4 Diploma in Accounting."

Shamus · Forum Moderator & Expert

Cheers for that Julie,

The AAT had previously said that students would get 18 months but it looks as though it will be only 12.

Sounds as though it's safe enough to sign up for the foundation level and even should foundation itself change at that level it's all bookkeeping rather than accountancy based so no matter what they do with the qualification you're basic learning will be sound.

I've actually found myself giving advice to people on this site that if they want to pass ICB / IAB exams then look to the AAT foundation materials. (Units 1-3).

Also, don't take the limit as time pressure to get it finished by next June. Whatever this changes to will still be based on what your studying now. The fundamental principles of bookkeeping do not change.

Good luck with the course. If anything gives you jip just let us know and we'll explain it.

kind regards,

Shaun.

Apollo · Member

Thanks for all this feedback.

I'm doing an IAB comp. course and the AAT tutor there told me that NVQ is more highly regarded by employers than Diploma. Is this true?

I've contacted Premier before about being exempt from most of Adv. Cert. stage [Level 3??] and they said nothing about the new structure and the computer-based simulations.

Got to say, Premier are not the paragons other make out. They got me to agree with my local library manager for them to supervise my simulations [when I finish 3 and go on to Level 4 or whatever], but made no mention of move to computer-based assessment!!!

How can a public library be expected to get exam sofware from AAT and load it onto their public networks?! Yet Premier said nothing.

I actually don't know what to do anymore. Any ideas? As a distance-learner, how can I arrange supervision in London for the new simulations?

Also, if I finish level 3 diploma with Premier say by June, what will the final level be, and what will the units look like?

I rang AAT and they said go back to provider. Nor impressed.

Thanks

John

Shamus · Forum Moderator & Expert

Hi John,

Bit confused (easily done with me) are you talking about IAB or AAT?

The AAT NVQ is held in slightly higher esteem because of the skills tests. It is only slightly higher though as in theory no matter which route you take you will come away knowing the same regardless of the route taken to achieve your MAAT status.

not sure what you mean about computer based simulations with the AAT. I thought that it was just ICB going that way?

If you need to sit simulations then London is definitely the place to be as there are plenty of places that you can sit them. For example, if you went to Kaplan for your simulations I think that they charge £75 per simulation for external students.

I don't know how it will work with the new qualification but with the existing one if you wanted an NVQ take the diploma route up to technician then swap from diploma to NVQ at the technician level where there are no skills tests if you take the tax options papers.

The key is that just because you start on the diploma route doesn't mean that you have to finish on it.

Simples.

Apollo · Member

Hi

Actualyy purely and simply talking about AAT. Premier agreed I could be exempt from Diploma route [Adv. Cert. stage] provided a did Unit 6 [costing] with them. OK.

Then they mentioned the modes of assessment for the level 4 stage [mixture of exams and simulations or whateverthe phrase is] and suggested for the latter aa local library would be an ideal venue for the existing paper-based sims. I gor this sorted.
BUT, I've been told that sims @ AAT are going over to computer-based mode, so asking a library to load AAT software is not on. And £75 per sim [I don't know how many there would be in level 4] seems alot.
Also, if qualification is changing and NVQ/Diploma route is being merged, does it matter when I register with AAT. I was hoping to finish Unit 6 with Premier, then register with AAT when I enroled for the final level 4.
Is this a good idea?
thanks
John

Shamus · Forum Moderator & Expert

Hi John,

I thought that unit 6 was just an exam rather than a skills test?

If that's the case, then on the NVQ route providing that you take the two tax papers at technician level then there are absolutely no skills tests to take. Only exams and the unit 10 project.

Don't know what changes the new merged qualification will bring yet as the details are not released until the end of April.

Anyway, assuming that unit 6 is non skills test and you fancy doing tax rather than audit then no worries about getting the local library to load anything.

Hope this helps,

Shaun.