End-point Assessment (or EPA) is completed via two assessment methods:
- AM1: Work-based project with questioning
- AM2: Professional discussion underpinned by portfolio
The numbering of these can be confusing, since the portfolio is completed during the 12 months leading up to Gateway and the final project is completed after being approved for Gateway.
The final project is a 9 week project completed after being approved for Gateway. This project must meet the required KSBs. A summary of what the project is and how it maps to the KSBs will be submitted at Gateway.
After 9 weeks, the project is submitted in the form of a 4,500 word report, with 10% allowance above or below the word count. It is suggested that the project is roughly 7 weeks of building and 2 weeks of documentation. However, apprentices are encouraged to document throughout the project rather than writing everything after finishing development.
The project can be a part of a larger piece of work, and must be useful to the employer or a client of theirs. For example, a company may be redesignning their whole product, an apprentice might work on a particular feature or component which contributes to the redesign but will be completed before the final launch.
Project report
Your project code will not be directly assessed. Instead you must write a report describing everything you did, and giving detail which evidences how you met the KSBs. It should be 4500 words ± 10%. This word count is strictly enforced, so ensure you are within 4050-4950 words.
Questioning
You will also have a 60 minute questioning session with your assessor. They will ask at least 12 questions focused on how your project meets the criteria. This session is designed to help you show the assessor what you know, and clarify anything that was missing or unclear in your report.
For example if the assessor feels you didn't demonstrate one of the criteria in your report they may ask you how you fulfilled it in the project, giving you a chance to describe what you did.
Your portfolio will not be assessed directly. Instead it will be used as the basis of a 60 minute discussion with your assessor, who will ask questions based on the portfolio. This format gives you a better chance to show the assessor what you know, since they can ask questions about things that were not fully covered in the portfolio.
Questioning
In the assessment, you'll be prompted with a minimum of 12 questions to talk about the work you've described in your portfolio. The questions will give you scope to talk about at least one of the criteria.
In each answer give detail on how you've met that criteria. Remember that what you have written is not counted towards your assessment, you must say something aloud for it to be considered. You'll be able to share your screen and present your evidence as well as show any relevant code and anything else which helps to provide detail on how you've met the criteria.
Grading
Each assessment method is itself graded and the two individual grades will inform your final grade. Like so:
| AM1 grade | AM2 grade | Final grade |
|---|---|---|
| Fail | Fail | Fail |
| Fail | Pass | Fail |
| Pass | Fail | Fail |
| Pass | Pass | Pass |
| Pass | Distinction | Merit |
| Distinction | Pass | Merit |
| Distinction | Distinction | Distinction |