How are apprenticeships assessed?
What is End-Point Assessment?
The End-Point Assessment (EPA) is the final milestone in every apprenticeship in England. It provides independent confirmation that an apprentice is ready to perform confidently in their role.
EPAs are delivered by regulated, independent End-Point Assessment Organisations (EPAOs), such as iCQ, and are designed to assess whether the apprentice has fully developed the knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs) set out in the apprenticeship standard.
While every EPA is different, all are built by employers for employers, ensuring assessment methods reflect the realities of the job. That means assessment plans are tailored to each standard and the demands of the sector.
What types of assessment might be included in an EPA?
Most apprentices will complete at least two different assessment methods as part of their EPA. Below are some of the most common types you’re likely to encounter. This list isn’t exhaustive, but it gives a good sense of what to expect.
Multiple-choice or written tests
Knowledge tests are a common feature of many EPAs. These may be:
- Multiple-choice tests, where apprentices select the correct response from a set of options.
- Written tests, which often include short-answer, problem-solving or more discursive questions.
These assessments check that apprentices understand key legislation, procedures, and professional principles, and can apply them to realistic scenarios. They are based around the knowledge requirements of the apprenticeship standard.
Tests are completed online, and reasonable adjustments can be made where needed to ensure accessibility, recognising that written assessments are not the best measure for everyone.
Professional discussion
A professional discussion is a structured, in-depth conversation between the apprentice and an independent assessor.
It’s designed to explore the apprentice’s understanding, decision-making and professional judgement in a holistic way. Questions are often shaped around workplace evidence or a portfolio, allowing apprentices to explain how and why they do what they do in practice.
Professional discussions can take place face-to-face or remotely, making them a flexible and inclusive assessment method.
Practical assessment
Practical assessments are used where competence is best demonstrated through doing, rather than describing. Usually captured by the end-point assessor observing the apprentice in a real-life situation
This method requires apprentices to carry out real-world tasks or simulations that reflect their occupational role. It’s particularly valuable as it shows in context the professional judgement, safe working practices and operational skills of the apprentice.
For example, for the Level 2 Commis Chef apprenticeship, practical assessments might involve:
- Simulated observation in a kitchen environment.
- Completing a range of food preparation, cooking and finishing techniques.
- Making decisions under pressure while following legislation (for example food hygiene and health and safety) and organisational policy.
Presentation
Where presentations form part of an EPA, the apprentice leads the assessment based on a pre-agreed brief.
Typically, this includes:
• A short presentation (often supported by slides)
• Follow-up questioning from the independent assessor.
This method allows apprentices to take ownership of their assessment and demonstrate both subject knowledge and communication skills. The latter is particularly important for roles where briefing, influencing or reporting is part of day-to-day work.
Project
Projects are commonly used in EPAs where apprentices need to demonstrate applied knowledge and critical thinking in a real-world context.
An EPA project usually involves:
- Researching a work-related issue or theme
- Producing a substantial written output
- Presenting findings and responding to questions from the independent assessor.
For example, in management or leadership focussed standards, projects allow apprentices to explore complex organisational demands, policy considerations and professional judgement in applying workplace solutions.
A robust assessment of occupational competence
The EPA is designed to be a fair, rigorous and comprehensive assessment of an apprentice’s readiness to progress into their professional role.
By using a combination of assessment methods, EPAs ensure that knowledge, skills and behaviours are tested in ways that reflect real occupational demands and not just exam performance.
Understanding how these assessment methods work can help apprentices, employers and training providers feel more confident and better prepared for EPA. iCQ provides guidance and reassurance as a trusted provider of apprenticeship assessments.
