← QCE Digital Solutions Unit 3

Prescribed criteria

Success criteria set for you by the task, such as an assessment brief or client, that your solution is judged against. Turn each one into a checkable statement.

Part of: QCE Digital Solutions Unit 3 — Real-World Problems and Solution Requirements — Module 20

Understanding Prescribed criteria in QCE Digital Solutions Unit 3

What it does: The requirement is stated by the brief, so it is a prescribed criterion the solution will be judged against. The vague criterion becomes a statement that can be tested and marked as met or not met. Prescribed criteria are set for you by the task, such as the assessment brief or client. Criteria you choose yourself are self-determined. Adding a number and a test condition (2 seconds, 1000 records) lets you check it clearly. 'Quickly most of the time' cannot be verified. Checkable statements make evaluation objective, because you can say yes or no with evidence. Words like 'easy' cannot be checked as they stand, so the criterion must be made specific and testable.

Common mistakes: A prescribed criterion must become a checkable statement. 'Quickly enough' cannot be tested. It should name the measure, for example 'Test: Load time <= 3 seconds'. Prescribed criteria are set by the task, such as the client or assessment brief. Criteria set only by the student are self-determined. It should read 'Set by: the client brief'.

Class: _____________________  ·  Name: _____________________  ·  Date: _________

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 128–176) and word search (Modules 15–176).

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Learning
Duo
Which of these is a prescribed criterion?
The client's brief states the app must load a customer's order history in under 3 seconds.You decide your app should have a dark mode because you think it looks cool.
Matches
Our own criterion: "I want a blue theme" (listed as a prescribed criterion)
↓
Prescribed criteria are set by the task or client, not chosen by the student. A student's own choice is a self-determined criterion.
Applying
Meanings
Term
Prescribed criteria
Meaning
Success criteria set for you by the task, such as an assessment brief or client, that your solution is judged against. Turn each one into a checkable statement.
Practice
Task brief: The app must be easy to use.
Testing
Gaps
Source: assessment or client request
Check Answer
Spots
2Criterion: Loads in 3 seconds
3Test: Loads quickly enough

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Quick Questions

1. Which of these is a prescribed criterion?
A. The client's brief states the app must load a customer's order history in under 3 seconds. ✓
B. You decide your app should have a dark mode because you think it looks cool.
Prescribed criteria are set for you by the task, such as the assessment brief or client. Criteria you choose yourself are self-determined.
2. Where would you look FIRST to find prescribed criteria?
A. In the task brief or client requirements document ✓
B. In your own list of ideas from a brainstorm
Prescribed criteria come from the task or client, so the brief is the first place to check. Your brainstorm ideas are your own.
3. Which statement about prescribed criteria is correct?
A. The solution will be judged against them. ✓
B. You can ignore them if you prefer your own plan.
Prescribed criteria are set for you and your solution is evaluated against them, so you cannot skip them.
4. Which is a checkable version of the prescribed criterion 'The system must be easy to use'?
A. The system should feel nice and simple for people.
B. A new user can complete a booking in 5 clicks or fewer without help. ✓
A checkable statement has a measurable result you can test. 'Nice and simple' is vague and cannot be tested.
5. Which is a checkable version of the prescribed criterion 'The program must be fast'?
A. The program runs quickly most of the time.
B. The search results display within 2 seconds for a database of 1000 records. ✓
Adding a number and a test condition (2 seconds, 1000 records) lets you check it clearly. 'Quickly most of the time' cannot be verified.

Match the Pairs

Prescribed criteria → Success criteria set for you by the task, such as an assessment brief or client, that your solution is judged against
Criterion: "Must be easy to use" → A vague prescribed criterion found in a task brief that needs to be rewritten as a checkable statement
Identifying a prescribed criterion in a task brief: look for what the client says the solution must do or be judged on → Brief: "The app must load in under 3 seconds." -> Prescribed criterion
Turning a prescribed criterion into a checkable statement by adding a measurable target → Easy to use -> A new user completes checkout in 5 clicks or fewer
Our own criterion: "I want a blue theme" (listed as a prescribed criterion) → Prescribed criteria are set by the task or client, not chosen by the student. A student's own choice is a self-determined criterion.
Checkable statement: "The system should be fast and friendly" → The statement is still vague and has no measurable target, so it cannot be checked as met or not met.

Key Term

Prescribed criteria
Success criteria set for you by the task, such as an assessment brief or client, that your solution is judged against. Turn each one into a checkable statement.

Fill in the Blanks

1. Source: assessment brief or client request
Hint: Type the document that lists the criteria set for you by the task.
2. Criteria set by the task are called prescribed
Hint: Type the word for criteria that are given to you, not chosen by you.
3. IF loadTime < 3 THEN
Hint: Type the comparison operator that means 'less than'.
4. User 13 or older: IF age >= 13 THEN
Hint: Type the variable name that holds the value being checked.
5. Each criterion needs a pass or fail result
Hint: Type the opposite outcome to pass, which makes a criterion checkable.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A Source: assessment brief
B Criterion: Loads in 3 seconds
C Test: Loads quickly enough
Line C — A prescribed criterion must become a checkable statement. 'Quickly enough' cannot be tested. It should name the measure, for example 'Test: Load time <= 3 seconds'.
Question 2
A Set by: the student alone
B Criterion: Export PDF report
C Test: PDF file is created
Line A — Prescribed criteria are set by the task, such as the client or assessment brief. Criteria set only by the student are self-determined. It should read 'Set by: the client brief'.
Question 3
A Brief says: login required
B Criterion: Users must log in
C Source: assessment brief
D Test: Page background is blue
Line D — The test must check the criterion it belongs to. Background colour says nothing about logging in. It should test the login rule, such as 'Test: Wrong password rejected'.
Question 4
A Brief: must work on phones
B Criterion: Has a dark theme
C Test: Opens on a phone screen
Line B — A prescribed criterion comes from the brief, and the brief asks for phone support. A dark theme is not in the brief. The line should be 'Criterion: Works on phones'.
Question 5
A Prescribed = set by you
B Example: marking guide item
C Example: client requirement
Line A — Prescribed criteria are set by the task, such as the brief or client, not by you. Criteria you set yourself are self-determined. It should be 'Prescribed = set by the task'.

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