Business Admin – L3

Facilitation of Assessment

DSW has always had a ‘digital by default’ approach to end-point assessment; this allows us to provide greater flexibility for all stakeholders while reducing fees and our carbon footprint.

• Interviews and presentations are conducted using web conferencing platforms and we’re flexible enough to use a platform of the employer’s choosing when required.

• Written exams, MCQs and Case Studies are carried out online using an invigilated assessment platform

• Portfolios and Projects are submitted to DSW in digital format for assessment

• Our assessments are also administered using an online platform, epaPRO, which provides training providers with access to results, reports and dashboards.

This is all supported by named account managers and operations contacts who are here to support you at each step of the EPA journey.

Assessment Methods

This standard has three assessment methods including:

Knowledge Test

• The duration of the knowledge test will be 60 minutes
• It will include 50 questions

Presentation with Q&A

• The Duration of the presentation will be 10 – 15 minutes
• The Presentation will focus on a project completed on-programme
• The duration of the Q&A will be 10 – 15 minutes

Portfolio-Based Interview

• The duration of the interview will be 45 minutes
• The portfolio is gathered on-programme and submitted at gateway
• A minimum of 10 questions based on the portfolio

For more details, visit the IfATE website.

Grading

Knowledge Test

In order to achieve a Pass for this assessment method the Apprentice must correctly answer 30 questions.

In order to achieve a Distinction for this assessment method the Apprentice must correctly answer 40 questions.

Project / Improvement Presentation

In order to achieve a Pass the Apprentice must meet all 7 mandatory Pass descriptors and a minimum of 13 flexible Pass descriptors.

In addition to a Pass in order to achieve a Distinction the Apprentice must meet all 8 mandatory Distinction descriptors.

Any of the 21 Distinction descriptors that have not been met or have not been selected will need to be evidenced in the Portfolio-based Interview.

Portfolio-based Interview

In order to achieve a Pass the Apprentice must meet all 14 mandatory Pass descriptors and 6 flexible Pass descriptors and a maximum of 4 which may have been carried over from the Project/Presentation.

In order to achieve a Distinction the Apprentice must meet all 15 mandatory Distinction descriptors and any of the flexible Distinction descriptors not met or selected in the Project/Presentation.

Overall Grading

There are three levels of outcome for this standard Fail, Pass, Distinction.

Each assessment method has to be passed in its own right to achieve an overall Pass for the Apprenticeship.  Each assessment method has to be a Distinction to achieve an overall Distinction.

Benefits and Support

DSW is a leading EPAO trusted by some of the UK’s largest employers and apprenticeship training providers to assess apprentices across a portfolio of more than 35 standards.

We combine first-class customer support, leading assessment technology and assessment expertise to deliver an EPA experience which our clients tell us is unequalled.

Our key benefits include:

• Assessor allocated ahead of gateway to guarantee availability and fast turnaround
• Planning meeting scheduled within 1 working day of Gateway
• Results issued within 5 working days
• Competitive pricing, reduced resit fees and no registration fees
• Dedicated account manager and operations contact
• Quality-assured assessors with extensive sector and assessment experience
• Truly collaborative, partnership approach and dedicated DSW human touch support team
• Delivery of a great learner experience with flexibility to accommodate varied learner environments
• Support materials – Guides, toolkits, webinars and use of digital platforms make EPA efficient and easy
• Engaged with other EPAOs and sector bodies to lead the standardisation of assessment methods and raise professional standards