← QCE Digital Solutions Unit 3

Self-determined criteria

Success criteria you write yourself from the problem, stakeholder needs and requirements, to add to the prescribed criteria. Make them measurable and avoid repeating prescribed ones.

Part of: QCE Digital Solutions Unit 3 — Real-World Problems and Solution Requirements — Module 21

Understanding Self-determined criteria in QCE Digital Solutions Unit 3

What it does: The criterion turns the requirement into a measurable test, which is how self-determined criteria are derived from requirements. The strong version has a number that can be tested, while the weak version is vague and cannot be judged. Measurable wording includes a number, limit or clear pass/fail test. Words like 'nice' and 'fast' cannot be checked. They make sure your evaluation checks the needs specific to your problem, which the general prescribed criteria may not fully cover. It is written by the student (not prescribed), links to a requirement and uses a measurable target of 5 seconds and 500 records.

Common mistakes: Self-determined criteria are written by the student from the problem and requirements. They are not prescribed by QCAA. The line should be 'Source: self-determined'. 'Feels fast' cannot be measured, so it is vague. A self-determined criterion needs measurable wording, such as 'Loads in under 3s'.

Class: _____________________  ·  Name: _____________________  ·  Date: _________

Free printable worksheet with full answer key — or add this module to a class and your students practise it interactively.

🖨 Print worksheet + answer key Add Self-determined criteria to a class →

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

Take this worksheet further — free with Cloodit

Each concept is reinforced from every angle — learned, then applied, then tested.

Learning
Duo
Which describes self-determined criteria?
Success criteria set by QCAA that every student must use word for wordSuccess criteria you write yourself from the problem, stakeholder needs and requirements
Matches
Self-determined criterion: "The app should be easy to use"
↓
The wording is vague and not measurable, so nobody can judge whether it was met. Add a target, such as 90% of test users complete a booking in under 3 minutes.
Applying
Meanings
Term
self-determined criteria
Meaning
Success criteria you write yourself from the problem, stakeholder needs and requirements, to add to the prescribed criteria. Make them measurable and avoid repeating prescribed ones.
Practice
Requirement: Staff can search bookings by name.
Testing
Gaps
criteria: written by you
Check Answer
Spots
3Criterion: Order in under 60s
4Source: prescribed by QCAA

Cloodit turns curriculum-aligned coding content into journeys students work through one biome at a time.

The 'Moose' badge — Tundra Champion, one of Cloodit's 106 collectible badges
Students earn collectable badges

Over 100 of them, across seven natural biomes.

Study Buddy
Students build a real study resource

Turns their work into revision material ready for Flash Cards and Exam study.

Diamond Dash — one of Cloodit's live, competitive Sprint games
Students lock in with Sprints

Live, competitive practice for the start of the lesson or a teacher-led lesson finisher.

A Cloodit certificate of achievement, ready to personalise and print
Custom printable certificates

Honour your top performers, or encourage a student who's trying hard — ready to print in seconds.

Add to class →

Quick Questions

1. Which describes self-determined criteria?
A. Success criteria you write yourself from the problem, stakeholder needs and requirements ✓
B. Success criteria set by QCAA that every student must use word for word
Self-determined criteria are written by you. They are added to the prescribed criteria and are based on your own problem and requirements.
2. Which is the best source for a self-determined criterion?
A. A functional requirement such as 'Users can filter orders by date' ✓
B. A random feature you saw in a popular app that is unrelated to the problem
Criteria should be derived from your requirements and stakeholder needs so that they test whether your solution solves the actual problem.
3. Which criterion is worded in a measurable way?
A. The search returns results in under 2 seconds for 1000 records ✓
B. The search is nice and fast for users
Measurable wording includes a number, limit or clear pass/fail test. Words like 'nice' and 'fast' cannot be checked.
4. A prescribed criterion already covers 'functionality'. Which self-determined criterion avoids overlap?
A. The solution has good functionality
B. Staff can generate a weekly stock report in 3 clicks or fewer ✓
Self-determined criteria should add something new and specific. Repeating a prescribed criterion like functionality adds nothing.
5. True or false: self-determined criteria replace the prescribed criteria.
A. True: once you write your own you can ignore the prescribed ones
B. False: they are added to the prescribed criteria ✓
Both sets are used when you evaluate the solution. Self-determined criteria add to the prescribed ones and never replace them.

Match the Pairs

Self-determined criterion: "Report generates in under 5 seconds for 500 records" → A measurable success criterion you wrote yourself, derived from a performance requirement
Prescribed: Functionality | Self-determined: "Booking form rejects blank fields" → The self-determined criterion adds a specific, problem-focused check rather than repeating the general prescribed criterion
Derive a criterion from a requirement: the requirement says users must log in securely → Requirement: Users log in with a password Criterion: 100% of accounts require a password of 8+ characters
Use measurable wording so you can judge success with evidence → Weak: "The app is fast" Strong: "Search results appear within 2 seconds"
Self-determined criterion: "The app should be easy to use" → The wording is vague and not measurable, so nobody can judge whether it was met. Add a target, such as 90% of test users complete a booking in under 3 minutes.
Prescribed: Usability | Self-determined: "Usability" → The self-determined criterion only repeats a prescribed criterion. It should be specific to the problem and stakeholder needs, such as: staff add a new client in 5 clicks or fewer.

Key Term

self-determined criteria
Success criteria you write yourself from the problem, stakeholder needs and requirements, to add to the prescribed criteria. Make them measurable and avoid repeating prescribed ones.

Fill in the Blanks

1. Prescribed criteria: set by the syllabus Self-determined criteria: written by you
Hint: Type the name for criteria that you write yourself, as opposed to those set for you.
2. Requirement: Pages load in 3 seconds or less Criterion: Load time is at most 3 seconds
Hint: Type the unit of measurement that makes the criterion measurable.
3. Requirement: Book a seat in at most 3 clicks Criterion: Booking takes 3 clicks or fewer
Hint: Type the number from the requirement so the criterion is measurable.
4. Prescribed: Is the interface easy to use? Self-determined: Must not repeat the above
Hint: Type the verb meaning a self-determined criterion should avoid saying the same thing as a prescribed one.
5. Sources: the problem, stakeholder needs, and your chosen requirements
Hint: Type the word for the people affected by the solution whose needs inform your criteria.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A Problem: Slow canteen queues
B Requirement: Pre-order by app
C Criterion: Order in under 60s
D Source: prescribed by QCAA
Line D — Self-determined criteria are written by the student from the problem and requirements. They are not prescribed by QCAA. The line should be 'Source: self-determined'.
Question 2
A Criterion: App feels fast
B Requirement: App loads quickly
C Type: self-determined
Line A — 'Feels fast' cannot be measured, so it is vague. A self-determined criterion needs measurable wording, such as 'Loads in under 3s'.
Question 3
A Need: Parents want safe logins
B Requirement: Two-step login
C Criterion: Logins are secure
D Type: self-determined
Line C — 'Secure' is too vague to test. The criterion should be measurable, such as 'All logins use 2FA', and tied to the two-step login requirement.
Question 4
A Requirement: Export report PDF
B Criterion: Uses a blue theme
C Type: self-determined
Line B — A self-determined criterion must come from a requirement. A blue theme has nothing to do with exporting a PDF. It should measure the export, such as 'PDF exports in 5s'.
Question 5
A Prescribed: Usability
B Self-set: Usability
C Measure: Count taps per task
Line B — This repeats the prescribed criterion. Self-determined criteria should add something new and avoid overlap. It should be specific and measurable, such as 'Any page in 3 taps'.

Student with a class code? Join your class →