The following information pertains to the two ministry qualifications on the occupational sub-framework (SAQA IDs  101997 and  101571).

  • QCTO’s assessment related policies: The assessment policies are available from QCTO’s website  .
  • Dates for the EISA: The EISA is arranged by the QP / AQP and will usually take place in May/June or November of each year. SDPs must inform QCTO three months ahead of an upcoming EISA of their candidates who will be ready for the EISA. This must be done in a prescribed manner as indicated on the  QCTO website.
  • Qualifying requirements for the EISA: Candidates qualify to sit for the EISA after completing the full learning program and been awarded the Statements of Results (SoRs) for all the modules of the curriculum, based on the Internal Assessment Criteria (IACs) that were identified in the curriculum document of the qualification. After completing each Knowledge Module (KM); each Practical Skills Module (PM) and every Workplace Module (WM) successfully, the SDP has to register an SoR against the name of the candidate on the QCTO learner-data-load website. SoRs can also be awarded through RPL. The QCTO Template of the SoR must be used.
  • Applying to enrol for the EISA: Skills Development Providers (SDPs) must submit their EISA Ready candidates’ information to QCTO in the prescribed format of an Excel Spreadsheet, which must be completed correctly per the QCTO Data Loading Specification Document. See the  QCTO website for the necessary documents.
  • Language of assessment: The EISA is done in the form of written papers and will normally be done in English. Candidates on NQF level 2 who are not capable to do an assessment in English may apply for the assistance of interpreters. Candidates on NQF Level 5 are expected to do their course and assessments in English. Candidates who will have difficulties in doing the assessment in English should contact the AQP well in advance (at least three months) so that solutions can be sought in compliance with a learner’s constitutional rights.
  • Physical or other impairment that may have an impact on the assessment: Special arrangements will be made for candidates who experience physical or other impairment. SDPs must ensure that the QP / AQP is informed at least three months before an EISA of such physically impaired candidates to have enough time to make the necessary arrangement.
  • Assessment exemplars: Exemplars for both the NQF level 2 and NQF level 5 ministry qualifications may
    be viewed here:
     NQF Level 2, Exemplar Paper 1
     NQF Level 2, Exemplar Paper 2
     NQF Level 5, Exemplar Paper 1
     NQF Level 5, Exemplar Paper 2
    The Memorandums are available from the AQP office for SDP trainers / facilitators. SDPs are responsible
    to familiarise prospective EISA candidates with the format and content of these exemplars in preparing
    for the EISA.
  • Assessment fee: While ACRP is managing the EISA for these 2 qualifications, the fees will be communicated with the SDPs at least 3 months before the relevant EISA.
  • Accredited assessment centres for the two ministry qualifications: Assessment centres and assessment sites will as far as possible be provided in geographical locations that will facilitate accessibility for candidates. To accommodate candidates as far as possible in terms of the location of assessment sites, it is essential that applications to do the EISA be submitted well in advance (at least three months before the next EISA). The location of assessment sites will be determined considering the whereabouts of candidates.

    Institutions who have the capacity to operate as assessment centres may apply to be registered for this purpose. It is important to note that SDPs are not automatically registered as Assessment Centres, but also need to apply to QCTO for that purpose. Criteria for the accreditation of assessment centres are provided on the QCTO website  .
  • Accredited Skills Development Providers (SDPs) for the ministry qualifications: The complete list of providers accredited by QCTO is available from the QCTO website. Find the relevant skills development providers by doing a search on the SAQA Qualification Programme IDs of the relevant qualifications.
  • Registered assessment practitioners for the occupational qualifications for ministry: Assessment will be done by recognised assessment practitioners who are advanced subject experts. They will be contracted per particular EISA session according to their availability and the need of assessors for a particular EISA session.
  • Internal moderation of assessment: Continuous evaluation of the quality of their internal assessment practices of Skills Development Providers (SDPs) needs to be done through internal moderation. Internal Quality Assurance procedures to assess operations against the institution’s QMS must be put in place. A member of staff should be appointed by management to do internal moderation at least twice per annum.
  • External moderation of the institution: QCTO (or officials as delegated by QCTO) may undertake moderation of the internal assessments done by an SDP. QCTO will also do site visits to do evaluations in accordance with the QCTO policies.
  • Reporting irregularities and lodging complaints or appeals.
    An irregularity refers to any event, act or omission which may undermine the standard, integrity, credibility, security, or the fairness of the assessment and assessment process and its resultant outcomes.
    • Complaints/Appeals by learners on (internal) assessments or assessment processes or other irregularities on Service Provider level should be handled internally according to their policies.
    • Complaints/Appeals by learners on assessments or assessment processes at Assessment Centres during an EISA should be lodged with the Assessment Centre (AC). The AC must investigate the complaint and keep the AQP informed of the process and outcome. A candidate may use the  form to lodge such a complaint. 
    • Irregularities or misconduct by a candidate while an EISA is taking place, must be recorded in the  Irregularity Report and submitted to the AQP directly after the EISA. An additional complaint may be lodged with the AQP using the  form to record misconduct during EISA.
    • Appeals by learners regarding the results of the EISA should be submitted within 21 workdays of being informed of their results. See the  EISA Appeal Procedure for more information.