AAQ BTEC IT Specification Updates - September 2025

There has been a September update to the AAQ in IT specification already. There are content revisions to Learning Aim A3.2 and A5.

The new specification can be found here: https://qualifications.pearson.com/content/dam/pdf/btec-aaqs/information-technology/2025/specification-and-sample-assessments/btec-level-3-national-ext-cert-in-it-aaq-spec.pdf

There are extensive changes to Learning Aim 3.2, where there is now more emphasis on the specific role of the operating system, including

• A3.2.1 networking (protocols, connections, data transmission and reception, resource allocation and monitoring)

• A3.2.2 security (access control, malware protection, encryption, firewall)

• A3.2.3 memory management (allocation and deallocation, memory protection, virtual memory, swapping and paging)

• A3.2.4 multi-tasking (process scheduling, CPU time management, context switching)

• A3.2.5 device drivers (installation and loading, communication, driver management and updates, error handling, resource allocation)

• A3.2.6 user accounts (user authentication, user profiles, account management tools).

In addition, there are changes to A5, where in the new specification, Artificial Intelligence is its own topic, in addition to other emerging technologies.

TheComputingTutor now has a completely updated set of resources to deal with these new changes, including:

1. New teacher and student friendly PowerPoints with content, graphics and animations for some of the more challenging topics.

2. 16 new end of topic quiz questions.

3. 13 new exam style questions.

These updated resources are now available from our store https://www.thecomputingtutor.com/online-store