FAQs - Apprenticeship Assessments

A resit involves the apprentice attempting one or more failed assessment components again, without the need to undertake further training.

It is the responsibility of the employer, supported by the training provider, to decide whether the apprentice requires a resit or retake. Open Awards will provide a recommendation, but decision is ultimately down to the employer.

Where an apprentice is to complete a resit, this will need to take place within the assessment window set out within the specific assessment plan.

Where the result notification suggests a re-take may be appropriate, the Department for Education recommends the employer and provider consider a supportive action plan that responds to the performance weaknesses identified within the feedback. This action plan should clearly state the nature and extent of the re-training and include the estimated time to prepare the apprentice for the retake. When a retake is booked, Open Awards will require confirmation from the provider that the apprentice has received further training and is ready to be assessed.

We offer resits and retakes for apprentices who fail their assessment. The number available will be in line with the requirements of the specific apprenticeship standard. Feedback will be given to help you prepare your learner for their resit or retake.

The apprenticeship completion certificate will be sent directly to the apprentices employer by the Department for Education.

Apprenticeship certification will be from the Department for Education once Open Awards has confirmed apprenticeship completion. Open Awards will provide a record of component achievement for all assessment components taken as part of the Apprenticeship Assessment process.

The outcome for each individual assessment and the overall grade are provided to the training provider, who is then responsible for informing the apprentice and the employer. Results will be released within 10 working days of the assessment being undertaken.

Where there is a knowledge test as one of the required components of the Apprenticeship Assessment, results are normally released within 3 working days.

Yes, the same Independent Apprenticeship Assessor will undertake the full Apprenticeship Assessment, unless there is any requirement within the assessment plan that requires parts of the assessment to be completed by different assessors/ specialists.  Where an apprentice requires a resit, depending on availability, this may result in another assessor being used.

The first point that the apprentice will meet their Apprenticeship Assessor will be on the day of their scheduled assessment. The exception to this will be where the assessment plan requires certain actions to be completed post gateway to completion.

The majority of assessments will take place in the apprentices workplace. The exception to this will be some knowledge-based assessments that may be taken at alternative venues or remotely.

The specific requirements will depend on the apprenticeship Standard your apprentice is registered on. Please see the Apprenticeship Assessment Handbook for the relevant Standard for details on assessment venue requirements.

This will depend on which assessment component it is, and the requirements of the specific Standard.

Many of Open Awards assessments, including multiple-choice knowledge tests and professional discussions, can be taken remotely. Please see the Standard Apprenticeship Assessment Handbook for more information or contact us on customerservices@openawards.org.uk to talk about your specific scenario.

Provisional bookings can be re-scheduled or cancelled at no charge. Confirmed bookings up to 10 workings days before the assessment day can be re-scheduled at no charge. Confirmed bookings cancelled or re-scheduled with less than 10 workings days’ notice will incur a charge in line with Open Awards Fees Policy.