Redesigned Entrustable Professional Activity (EPA) Assessments Reduce Grade Inflation in the Experiential Setting

The redesigned EPA assessment tool demonstrated a decrease in grade inflation resulting in more accurate assessments. The tool's focus on holistic grading and narrative descriptors contributed to better alignment between preceptor assessment and school-suggested achievement levels. This study suggests that EPA assessments in pharmacy education could benefit from a stronger emphasis on formative feedback and the use of holistic assessment methods for final grade determinations. The findings underscore the potential advantages of considering a separation between EPA scoring and final grades, prompting the Academy to explore their assessment practices to better reflect student performance in clinical experiences.