At present the system varies in each county, but the Football Association has a working party looking at the best method to use across the country. Some areas ask you to complete a simple application form, others ask you to send some stamped self-addressed envelopes to the Assessors' Secretary, and others have local versions of the scheme. The marking year for promotion runs from March to March, so you can use marks from parts of two seasons towards your final assessment. A local panel decision will be made in March and you will be advised whether you have been successful. The mentor system used in most areas is designed to support and guide you in those early matches, and develop a friendship that will hopefully continue into a long-standing support for you.
Assessors carry out a slightly different function, but with the same aims as the mentor.
The assessors' reports are collated locally and the average marks considered after you have had several assessments in a marking year. Club marks are also considered. A word of advice - don't think about club markings when you referee, as doing so does not benefit your overall average. If you are trying to please one club, you'll lose marks from the other, and if you try to please both you'll fail - just do the job and the marks will reflect your performance over the marking year. Be keen to act as an assistant referee on a more senior league whenever possible as that helps you to learn first-hand from more experienced colleagues.