The end point assessment (EPA) is the last big hurdle for you to complete your apprenticeship. These tips will help you feel prepared.
What is an End Point Assessment (EPA)?
This final assessment is designed to test the knowledge, skills and behaviours that you have learned during your apprenticeship and to make sure you are ready to practice your chosen profession independently.
The EPA looks slightly different for each type of apprenticeship. They are based on the Apprenticeship Standards, so find your subject and read the standards carefully. If you are getting close to the end of your apprenticeship, nothing listed should come as a surprise to you. But if it does, speak to your learning provider or line manager!
Your EPA will be delivered by an End Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO), which is separate from your training provider and employer.
Before your EPA, you need to complete a process called the Gateway. This is where your employer and apprenticeship provider (your school or college) give the green light for you to proceed with your EPA. They will make sure you’ve completed any mandatory requirements such as qualifications, health and safety assessments, or portfolios of work. Your employer will have the final say on whether you’re ready to pass through the Gateway and complete your EPA.
Here are a few of our top tips to help you as you prepare for your EPA:
Make Sure You’re Ready
Just as you wouldn’t take your driving test before you feel safe and competent on the road, you should not attempt to take your end point assessment until you’re ready for it. Trying to complete your assessment before you’re ready will just waste your time and stress you out. Since your employer will have to pay for any retests, it could also cost them money.
You, your employer, and your learning provider will all need to agree that you are ready for your EPA. If your tutor or manager feels you’re not quite ready, listen to them. If they think you’re ready but there is some part of the assessment you don’t feel fully prepared for, speak up so they can help you.
Check the Grading Criteria
You can only succeed if you know the standards you’ll be measured against. Therefore, make sure you familiarise yourself with the grading criteria for your apprenticeship. You should be able to get this information from your apprenticeship provider or your EPAO.
Review Your Progress Regularly
As you get closer to your EPA, make sure you are reviewing your progress, both independently and together with your tutor and line manager, on a regular basis.
You should be getting regular feedback on your work so you can identify where you need to improve in order to pass your EPA. You should also be able to assess your own work independently to spot errors and areas for improvement.
Remember that your employer and learning provider are there to support you. So if you need any additional help or would like some extra feedback, don’t hesitate to ask for it.
Have a Practice Run
If you will be doing a written test as part of your EPA, see if you can get some past test papers and use these as part of your revision process. If your EPA will involve a practical assessment of your work or an interview, ask your line manager or tutor to do mock tests with you.
This will help you to understand what might be asked of you on the day and allow you to get used to doing your work under test conditions.
Some EPAs use a mixture of different assessment methods, so make sure you’re equally prepared for every part of yours.
Make a Revision Plan
In the last few weeks leading up to your EPA, it’s more vital than ever to make good use of your time. Go back over your work and figure out what you need to revise ahead of your assessment, then make a structured revision plan to ensure you cover everything.
You’ll need to work hard, but it’s also important not to overload yourself. We recommend revising for 1-2 hours per day outside of work time at the most. You can do a little bit more at the weekend if you feel the need to, but make sure you give yourself at least one complete day off every week.
A Few Days Before
A few days before your EPA, double check all the details. Make sure you have the correct location, time, and duration for your assessment. If you haven’t yet planned your travel to the assessment site, this is the time to do so.
A day or two before, make sure you have everything you will need ready. This includes the correct clothing and any protective safety gear you will need, any required paperwork or evidence, and your portfolio if you have one.
The night before, resist the temptation to do any last minute revision. This will only cause you additional stress. Instead, do something you find relaxing, such as spending time with your family, doing a hobby, or getting some exercise. Then set out your clothing for the morning, pack your lunch (it might be a long day so you’ll want to ensure you have plenty of food and water with you), and get an early night.
Most importantly of all, don’t panic – you’ve got this. Good luck!
