Most EPAs are conducted online. If yours is, then make sure you have a strong Wi-Fi connection in the room where your EPA will be conducted. It is helpful to be somewhere familiar, and of course, where you feel safe and comfortable. Check if using a company laptop or pc that there aren't any company IT/firewalls that will prevent you sharing your screen or using the meeting software online
Practice your timings and rehearse online with your tutor so that you are familiar with the process and likely questions
Check if you are allowed to take notes in, such as your showcase or portfolio. If you are, make sure it is easy and quick to locate important information (as most EPAs are timed so you don't want to spend ages looking for one piece of evidence)
Don't forget to take your ID with you on the day. This needs to have your photo on. Your EPA might be cancelled if you forget it
Think about how long the EPA will be and ensure you organise to be in a room where you are not likely to be disturbed for the whole EPA
Don't be late for your EPA. Your independent end point assessor may not take well to that, and if you can login 15 minutes early and check your IT works then even better
Read and re-read the assessment plan for the standard. You should think of a couple of good examples for each KSB area - check that your examples meet the requirements of pass and distinction - see link below https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards
Don't worry too much about your nerves. There are no trick questions, assessors are not trying to catch you out, and are there to support you. See it as a chance to show off your good work and everything that you have learnt in your job role. You may be eligible for reasonable adjustments (such as extra time), so ask your tutor if you think this might apply to you (if you had extra time for GCSEs, you may well be eligible for your EPA too)
Make notes of those tricky areas you can't always think of examples for (depending on the assessment plan, but things such as - details of laws and regulations or the names of project management tools you have used)
Be confident! The hard work is done, you have reached Gateway and completed your apprenticeship this far. The chances are that you have a lot to be proud of and have achieved a lot at work. GOOD LUCK! Let us know any of your hints and tips that we could potentially share to help other apprentices. Email info@A2ATraining.co.uk
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