Preparing for gateway and completing end-point assessment as an end-point assessment organisation
Updated 11 December 2024
Applies to England
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End-point assessment organisations (EPAOs) must only assess an apprentice who has:
- achieved all the gateway requirements
- met the rule for minimum duration for their assessment
Details of the gateway requirements for each apprenticeship standard can be found in the individual assessment plans on the .
Before each apprentice鈥檚 end-point assessment (EPA), check, verify and document for audit purposes that the apprentice has achieved the gateway requirements, including any mandatory qualifications.
You鈥檒l also need to:
- confirm you have updated contact information for apprentices so certificates can be sent out
- have written permission from each apprentice to apply for their certificate
- plan assessments within the timescale requirements identified within the EPA assessment plan
- share any paperwork for the EPA in advance and give clear guidance on who needs to complete what, as appropriate
- ensure all the logistics and instructions are shared with the employer and apprentice for each assessment method
- manage secure storage requirements and ensure confidential assessment materials are not shared in advance of the assessment itself
- manage any potential logistical issues in advance for the EPA, to ensure the apprentice and employer have a good assessment experience
Where assessment plans stipulate that resits and retakes can only be taken within a specific assessment window, consider this in your planning.
Delivering an end-point assessment (EPA)
Once the gateway requirements have been met and you鈥檝e made arrangements for assessment, you鈥檒l need to:
- deliver EPA in line with the EPA assessment plan
- ensure any agreed are made
- carry out internal quality assurance checks to ensure the EPA decisions are robust, consistent, and comparable across assessors and locations