record of achievement: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal / Technical
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
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
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “record of achievement”
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
In which context is the term 'Record of Achievement' most specifically used?