FAQs - Apprenticeship Assessments

• Strictly adhere to word limits. Check with Open Awards and standard-specific guidance carefully.
• Aim for as close to the upper limit as possible without going over.
• Use the full word count to provide rich, well-evidenced content.
• If struggling to meet the word count, consider:

– Expanding on analysis, reflection, or outcomes

– Including more real examples to demonstrate KSBs

Where an apprenticeship assessment plan requires an apprentice to provide a portfolio, it normally makes reference to the portfolio containing a number of “discrete pieces of evidence”

A discrete piece of evidence is a free-standing, individual item or artifact that clearly demonstrates an apprentice’s competency. The item is distinct and separate from other pieces of evidence, allowing for focused evaluation.

Discrete evidence normally meets the following characteristics:

• Individual: It stands alone as a unique piece of evidence.
• Relevant: It targets identified knowledge, skills or behaviours, or duties.
• Authentic: The evidence should be genuine and directly reflect the apprentice’s abilities or performance.
• Sufficient: There should be enough evidence to make a reliable judgement about the apprentice’s abilities or performance

For example, an observation record detailing an apprentice undertaking a task and photograph of an apprentice’s finished work are normally considered two separate pieces of evidence. However, if a photograph showing the apprentice working is embedded within/ linked to an observation record and both clearly relate to the apprentice undertaking a specific task at a point in time, collectively these may be considered a discrete piece of evidence. In the latter example, there is a clear relationship between the observation record and the photograph and their value as evidence must be considered collectively.

If you are working towards and Open Awards qualification and think you are ready for an assessment, you must speak to your provider. They will be able to make arrangements for assessment, including scheduling any controlled assessments (exams) with Open Awards. You cannot schedule an assessment directly through Open Awards.

If you are completing an assessment with an Open Awards invigilator, you will have been sent a link to join.  This link will not be active until 15 minutes before the assessment is due to take place. Please wait until 15 minutes before the assessment is due to start before trying to join.

If you are still experiencing issues, please contact customer services at customer.services@openawards.org.uk or call us on 0151 494 2072.

A resit can only be booked once a ‘fail’ result has been confirmed and released to the provider. The standard scheduling rules for the specific assessment and/ or qualification will apply.

A provider must make sure appropriate further learning is put in place before booking the resit.

The rules for modifying an assessment schedule will depend on the assessment and/ or qualification.

Online assessments, at any level, being invigilated by the provider can be modified up to two (2) hours before the start time.

Online assessments being invigilated by Open Award (including qualification assessments and apprenticeship assessments) can be amended up to 10 working days before the planned date/ time. If it is under 10 working days the assessment would need to be cancelled and rebooked and a resit fee will be applied.

If you are struggling to access the XAMS Assessment Platform, please contact customer services at customer.services@openawards.org.uk or call us on 0151 494 2072.

To access the XAMS Assessment Platform, you must be set up as an Assessment Administrator with Open Awards and be approved for the relevant qualification/ assessment. You will be sent login details and will then be able to login here. If you are struggling to access the XAMS Assessment Platform, please contact customer services at customer.services@openawards.org.uk or call us on 0151 494 2072.

The XAMS Assessment Platform is an on-screen assessment platform used by Open Awards for external assessments. This includes:

• Functional Skills (Entry level 3, Level 1 and Level 2)
• Apprenticeship Assessment Knowledge tests
• Essential Digital Skills (Entry level 3 and Level 1)
• Multiple-choice Tests (short qualifications)

XAMS is Open Awards’ online platform used to book, manage, and undertake controlled assessments. You will see it referred to as the XAMS Assessment Platform.