Is There a Difference Between an Assessor and an End-Point Assessor?
We often get asked if there is a difference between an Assessor and an End-Point Assessor. The answer is: yes, there is! Although there is some crossover between the two positions, they’re not quite the same. In this post, we’re going to take a more in-depth look at the difference between the two.
The Role of the Assessor
An Assessor – whether an NVQ or On-Programme Assessor – is there every step of the way through a learner’s journey. They assess through the apprenticeship or course through a variety of assessment methods. They’re also there to offer support to learners when it comes to their assessment. The Assessor becomes familiar with the learners and is there for the long haul. They may even take part in aspects of apprentice training, delivering learning material.
When using learning to drive as a metaphor, you can think of the Assessor as the driving instructor; checking you’re doing everything right and pushing you in the right direction when you’re picking up bad habits.
The Role of the End-Point Assessor
The Independent End-Point Assessor (IEPA) is far less hands-on. The IEPA assesses on a one-off basis during the End Point Assessment – a new requirement for apprentices at the end of their apprenticeships. Using learning to drive as a metaphor, you could think of the IEPA as the person in the passenger seat during the final driving test.
The IEPA is someone completely unknown to the apprentice and unrelated to the learning institution. They assess against the course criteria without bias or prior knowledge.
What is an End-Point Assessment?
Once an apprentice has finished all on-programme aspects of their apprenticeship, they will have to face their End-Point Assessment. This may be a singular assessment or many depending on the course. Basically, the End-Point Assessment is a series of tests designed to showcase what the apprentice has learned and how well they’ve developed their skills. The EPAs answer the following question: Is this apprentice working to the industry standard?
The End-Point Assessor uses the results of these assessments to determine how well the learner has done on the course and whether they will fail the apprenticeship, pass, or pass with a merit or distinction.
The EPA a learner will face at the end of their apprenticeship will be detailed in the course’s Assessment Plan.
Do apprenticeships have both Assessors and End-Point Assessors?
Simply put, this depends on the course. When training for a BTEC as an independent qualification, there won’t be an End-Point Assessor, for example. However, for all apprenticeships, there will be both an Assessor during the learner journey and an EPA at the finishing line.
Is there a difference in training to become an Assessor and an End-Point Assessor?
Only slightly…
To become an Assessor of any type, you must have completed a CAVA course. However, as there is a difference between the roles, there is obviously going to be a difference within the training. Check out our blog to find out how to become an Independent End-Point Assessor.
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Steve is a Chartered Manager and a Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute.
He provides Educational Consultancy to the 19+ sector as well as being an Assessor, IQA, EPA and Digital Marketing Professional. When not doing any of these he finds time, every now and then, to write blogs and articles.