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What is the End Point Assessment?

Throughout your apprenticeship, you will be assessed to make sure you’re achieving the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed for your apprenticeship.

At the end of your apprenticeship training, you must complete an End Point Assessment (EPA). This will test that you are competent in your occupation or job role and once completed will mean you will achieve your Apprenticeship Standard and receive your Apprenticeship Completion Certificate to recognise you have successfully completed your apprenticeship.

The EPA will be carried out by an independent organisation known as an End Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO). At least six months before you reach Gateway (the end of your apprenticeship training) your employer should have selected an EPAO to deliver the end-point assessment for your Apprenticeship.

The EPAO will use a variety of assessment methods to check your competency. The type of assessment will differ depending on the apprenticeship standard you are working on. Most assessments will include an Assessor asking you questions which will demonstrate you have the right knowledge, skills and behaviours for your occupation or job role.

Other possible methods of assessment include:

• Practical assessment
• Project
• Interview and presentation
• Written or multiple-choice tests
• Observation in the workplace

Further information about EPA methods of assessment can be found in this YouTube video 

If you’re not sure what the assessment will involve for your apprenticeship you should ask your training provider or employer.

Completing your EPA

Managing your time and preparing for your EPA is vital and will help to make you feel more comfortable about completing your EPA. Some useful ways to do this include:

• Make sure you know who your End Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO) will be. If you are unsure ask your employer and training provider
• Attend any sessions arranged by your training provider
• Discuss your preparation at review meetings with your training provider and employer. Ask and agree what time you can have for study leave to help you prepare for your EPA.
• Keep all work such as the e-portfolio safe and up to date.
• Identify what evidence you’ll be able to use during your end-point assessment - your training assessor will help you to choose what pieces of evidence you bring, such as documentation of coursework awards.
• Make sure any work required has been completed and submitted.
• Find out from your employer or training provider; the date for your EPA, where it will be and how you will get there. It is also useful to find out if there is     anything you will need, such as any equipment or tech you will need to use for your assessment.

If you are unsure or concerned about your EPA it’s important to speak to your training provider, employer, or mentor. Let them know about your concerns, and any support or reasonable adjustments you might need. 

There is a separate resource focused on individuals with a learning difficulty or disability giving specific options for additional help and support. 

The role of your Training Provider and Employer

Your employer and training provider should work together to ensure that you are prepared and understand the end-point assessment process, and have the knowledge, skills, and behaviours to meet the requirements of your EPA.

The EPA should be discussed at progress meetings with you, your employer and training provider to help you prepare, and agree any areas where you might need further development or training. 

Your training provider should help you prepare for your end-point assessment with activities including:

• portfolio development
• exam preparation and revision
• test papers 
• opportunities to practise - mock observations and assessment scenarios.

Your employer should be aware that 20% off-the-job training is a minimum and that if extra time is needed to study it should be supported.

Your employer will ultimately make the decision about when you are ready for your end-point assessment.

What is the Assessment Plan?

The Assessment Plan or End Point Assessment Plan is different for each apprenticeship. It contains detailed information on all aspects of the assessment process for that specific Apprenticeship standard.  

You can find the assessment plan for your apprenticeship on the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IFATE) website. Search for your Apprenticeship Standard first and then look for a link to the Assessment Plan or End Point Assessment (EPA) plan. Apprenticeship Standards 

Your training provider or employer should make sure you have seen your Assessment Plan at the start of your apprenticeship and should discuss it with you. The Assessment Plan contains useful information including:

• What is expected of you at end-point assessment.
• Assessment methods.
• Gateway requirements.
• What should be in your portfolio of evidence.
• Information of resits/retakes.

What is Gateway?

Gateway is the point you will reach at the end of your apprenticeship training and before the beginning of the assessment period which is when your EPA will take place.

When you reach that point your employer and your training provider will review your knowledge, skills, and behaviours to see if you are ready to take your EPA. This review will take place near the end of your apprenticeship to make sure you have completed all the mandatory aspects of the apprenticeship training and that you can meet the gateway requirements. These will be set out in the assessment plan for your Apprenticeship Standard.

Concerned about redundancy?

You need to be employed until you have completed your EPA and your employer should take account of any potential time needed for any re-sit and/or retraining prior to re-taking your EPA.

If you are facing redundancy or have recently been made redundant talk to your training provider to get advice and support.

The government will fund your apprenticeship training for at least 12 weeks following redundancy to give you time to find alternative employment so that you can continue with your apprenticeship.

You may be able to continue and complete your apprenticeship, including taking your end point assessment (EPA), even if you do not find a new employer. You would need to have less than six months training to complete, or you need to have completed 75% or more of your training.