record of achievement: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

C1
UK/ˈrek.ɔːd əv əˈtʃiːv.mənt/US/ˈrek.ɚd əv əˈtʃiːv.mənt/

Formal / Technical

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Quick answer

What does “record of achievement” mean?

A documented collection of evidence showing a person's accomplishments, skills, and qualifications.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

A documented collection of evidence showing a person's accomplishments, skills, and qualifications.

A formal document, portfolio, or transcript used especially in education and employment to detail an individual's learning outcomes, successes, and personal development over time.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

In the UK, 'Record of Achievement' (RoA) was a specific, national portfolio for school-leavers (largely phased out). In the US, the term is a generic descriptor, with 'transcript', 'portfolio', or 'résumé' being more common specific terms.

Connotations

UK: Historically associated with a specific government-led scheme for 16-year-olds. US: A broader, descriptive term for any portfolio of accomplishments.

Frequency

More frequent in UK English, especially in historical educational contexts. In US English, 'academic record', 'transcript', or 'portfolio' are more prevalent.

Grammar

How to Use “record of achievement” in a Sentence

[verb] + a record of achievement[adjective] + record of achievementrecord of achievement + [preposition] + [field]

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
compile amaintain aofficialdetailedcomprehensiveeducationalprofessional
medium
present areview aupdate aformalpersonalschool
weak
create alook atimpressivedigital

Examples

Examples of “record of achievement” in a Sentence

verb

British English

  • The school is required to record achievements in a national portfolio.
  • She spent the evening recording her achievements for the appraisal.

American English

  • The university records all student achievements in a central database.
  • He needs to record his professional achievements for the review committee.

adjective

British English

  • The achievement record booklet was issued to all Year 11 pupils.
  • She submitted her achievement-record folder with the application.

American English

  • The achievement record documentation was thorough.
  • They developed an achievement-record system for the trainees.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Used in HR for tracking employee development and performance reviews.

Academic

Central to student assessment, university applications, and accreditation of prior learning.

Everyday

Rare in casual conversation; used when discussing job applications or educational history formally.

Technical

Standard in educational policy, vocational training, and career guidance literature.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “record of achievement”

Strong

achievement portfoliocertification portfolio

Neutral

portfoliotranscriptacademic recordprogress file

Weak

list of accomplishmentssummary of successes

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “record of achievement”

record of failureblank slateunremarkable history

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “record of achievement”

  • Using 'records of achievement' (plural 'records') when referring to one person's single portfolio.
  • Confusing it with a simple CV or résumé, which is a summary, not a collected evidence folder.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

No. A CV is a concise summary, while a Record of Achievement is a broader collection of evidence, including certificates, work samples, and tutor comments.

Primarily students, job seekers, and professionals in fields requiring evidence of continuous development, such as education, healthcare, and engineering.

The formal, government-issued RoA was largely discontinued in the early 2000s, but the concept continues in the form of Progress Files and e-portfolios.

Include official certificates, awards, project reports, positive feedback, skills audits, and reflective statements that demonstrate growth and competence.

A documented collection of evidence showing a person's accomplishments, skills, and qualifications.

Record of achievement is usually formal / technical in register.

Record of achievement: in British English it is pronounced /ˈrek.ɔːd əv əˈtʃiːv.mənt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈrek.ɚd əv əˈtʃiːv.mənt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

  • A living record of one's achievements

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think of a RECORD (like a vinyl disc) containing all your ACHIEVEMENTS (hit songs) – it's the complete collection of your successes.

Conceptual Metaphor

ACHIEVEMENTS ARE OBJECTS OF VALUE (collected and stored in a record/portfolio).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
When applying for the scholarship, applicants must submit a comprehensive detailing their academic and extracurricular successes.
Multiple Choice

In which context is the term 'Record of Achievement' most specifically used?