So, you’ve almost finished your apprenticeship, but you have the End-Point Assessment (EPA) left to complete.
Here at Lantra, because we carry out EPA assessments in England, we understand just how important the final assessment is in your overall apprenticeship journey.
As part of National Apprenticeship Week, Lantra Awards, your End Point Assessment Organisation has compiled a list of top 5 tips to help you prepare for your assessment.
1) Practice, practice, practice!
Complete a series of mock assessments with your training provider and employer covering all possible bases, so you know exactly what to expect on the day.
This will help boost confidence in your abilities and knowledge, whilst highlighting any key areas which you need to develop.
2) Preparation
Be organised and make sure you wear the correct practical clothes and PPE for the assessment, along with bringing any required evidence or projects and food and drink as it can be a long day.
Double check that you have the correct dates and timing for your EPA, as it’s easy to get things mixed up when under pressure. Make sure you also allow plenty of time for travel to the assessment location to prevent being late.
Even though it’s obvious, make sure you get a good night’s sleep prior to the assessment.
3) Use your own experiences
The main objective of EPAs is to demonstrate that you have the correct knowledge, skills and behaviours to competently and safely carry out the role.
As your training provider and employer have put you forward for the EPA, they are confident you have gained the relevant practical on-the-job knowledge and experience ready for the assessment.
Throughout the EPA, make sure you give answers that are based on experiences gained throughout your apprenticeship. This demonstrates that you’re putting knowledge and experience into practice.
4) Review and revise
Review the knowledge, skills and behaviour from your portfolio, making sure you’ve identified any weaknesses which you can work on prior to the assessment.
Talk to your Training Provider and Employer before the assessment; they have a raft of knowledge and experience that you can draw from. They’re there to support you, so make sure you utilise their expertise.
5) Don’t panic!
Don’t worry, assessors are people too - they’ve been there, done that, and got the t-shirt! They understand that this is a stressful situation for apprentices, so don’t be afraid to stop and ask them to clarify anything that you’re unsure of.
This is your time to shine and really demonstrate what you’ve learnt throughout your apprenticeship - be confident and go for it!
