An End Point Assessment (EPA) is the final step in the apprenticeship journey for employers and apprentices.
The assessment allows apprentices to demonstrate that they've developed all the competencies (skills), knowledge, and behaviours outlined in the Apprenticeship Standard, proving they're able to do the job they've been training for throughout their programme.
The Components of End Point Assessment
There is a vast and varied array of assessment methods for the digital standards portfolio. These include tests, projects, interviews, and workplace evidence — among others.
These assessment methods are designed to evaluate your knowledge, skills and behaviours holistically in order to establish competency against the Apprenticeship Standard.
The more depth and breadth that you can evidence in your role, the more you'll be able to elevate your grade above a Pass to Merit or Distinction levels.
EPA Assessment Methods
Common methods include:
1. Summative Portfolio
This may be assessed directly or used to inform the End Point Interview. It's a combination of projects and significant work tasks completed during your apprenticeship which maps to the performance criteria of the apprenticeship standard, proving competency against each task or duty.
2. Case Study & Interview
This assessment method requires the candidate to prepare a Case Study against pre-defined requirements. The apprentice presents their Case Study to the Independent End Point Assessor (IEPA). The Assessor then asks questions through an interview specifically on the presentation in order to allow the apprentice to further demonstrate their understanding.
3. Employer Reference or Testimonial
This method allows for a third party to validate skills, techniques, knowledge, understanding, and behaviours through the submission of this supportive document.
4. Knowledge Tests
These are completed at End Point Assessment to confirm the acquired technical knowledge and understanding across a series of subjects appropriate to the Apprenticeship Standard.
5. Reflection
This method is a self-reflection on the learning journey, what you've learned, and how you've applied it in the workplace. It enables the interview to form appropriate questions to ascertain the requisite knowledge and understanding, skills, and techniques for the Apprenticeship Standard.
6. Professional Discussion or Interview
The Independent End Point Assessor will use the holistic evidence from other assessment methods to inform their question base in order to establish that the candidate has met the minimum requirements for a pass, but also to establish any breadth and depth to these criteria that would elevate the grade to a merit or distinction.
7. Project-Based Assessments
These can take many forms:
- Project and Practical Assessment
- Project Proposal with Presentation and Questions
- Project Report with Questions
- Simulation of a Project with Questions
Regardless of format, all will test the ability to complete an action, including planning, implementation, testing and reflection. These might be existing projects you are involved in or via a brief known as a Synoptic Project, which may be completed in a virtual environment.
8. Scenarios and Simulations
Whether a simulation of a task or significant function or perhaps a scenario-based test, these will fall inside the scope of the candidate's role and assess familiar systems and processes against the duties laid out in the standard.
To learn more about the skills and behaviours linked to the Apprenticeship Standard and the associated assessment plans, please select visit the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE).