Certificate in Company Direction Examination: Guidance for Candidates

Transcription

1 Certificate in Company Direction Examination: Guidance for Candidates The Certificate examination tests knowledge, understanding, application and analysis in each of the four component modules of the Certificate in Company Direction. The structure of the Certificate examination The full Certificate (4 modules) is 3 hours in duration Modular/retakes are 45 minutes in duration The exam for the Certificate is multiple choice and computer-based. Modules Number of Pass Mark Questions Module 1 Role of Director and the Board 12 6 Module 2 Finance for Non-Financial Directors 12 6 Module 3 Director s Role in Strategy and Marketing 12 6 Module 4 Director s Role in Leading the Organisation 12 6 Full Certificate (composed of Modules 1-4) 48 4 x 6 Each module of the Certificate is made up of 12 questions. Questions will be a mixture of knowledge and understanding items, consisting of a very short scenario and a question or a question and four statements. Only one option will be correct. There will also be some questions that consist of a longer scenario, followed by a question that tests your application or analysis. Again, there are four options. The total number of marks available is 12. The pass mark is 50% A distinction is awarded for candidates who score 75% and above. Any failed modules can be re-taken. 1

2 Certificate in Company Direction Examination: Delivery Methods Certificate examinations are delivered via Computer-Based Testing (CBT) by two methods: A) Remote Invigilation B) In a Computer-Based Testing Centre (CBTC). The availability of delivery methods for the full Certificate in Company Direction examination is shown in the table below. Modular/retake examinations can only be taken by Remote Invigilation. Exam Date Remote Invigilation Computer-Based Test Centres Closing Date for Registrations 22 June 9 May 7 September 1 August 5 October 1 September 9 November 1 October 7 December 1 November CBTCs are available at the following locations, subject to minimum numbers: UK Belfast Birmingham Bristol Guernsey Jersey Isle of Man Leeds London Manchester International Bermuda Karachi Moscow Nicosia Candidates who do not wish to attend one of our test centres can take the examination anywhere in the world via Remote Invigilation (subject to technical requirements listed below). Please find below information on the two CBT delivery methods: A) Remote invigilation You can take your exam by Remote Invigilation on your own laptop or computer in a suitably quiet location. As your exam is invigilated remotely via a webcam, the location could be at work or even at home. For the full Certificate exam, you can have the choice of starting your exam at 09:30, 13:30 or 17:00 UK time; this is 08:30, 12:30 or 16:00 UTC (British Summer Time) or 09:30, 13:30 or 17:00 UTC. For modular/retake exams, you have the choice of starting your exam at 09:30, 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 13:30, 14:30 or 15:30 UK time; this is 08:30, 09:30, 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 13:30 or 14:30 UTC (British Summer Time) or 09:30, 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 13:30, 14:30 or 15:30 UTC. 2

3 Please note that every effort is made to start exams at the scheduled time. However, please do not be concerned if you are alerted to a waiting time when trying to connect. As invigilators give each candidate individual attention there may be a slight delay. You will always get the full allocated exam time; your exam will only commence once you have connected with your invigilator and clicked on the 'start exam' button. You will need to download an application to the laptop or computer you plan to sit the exam on. The laptop or computer should have the following system requirements: 1. A large screen 2. Mac or Windows 7+ operating system (please note that surface Pros/tablets/notebooks are not compatible with the CBT application) 3. 4GB RAM 4. Any Dual Core processor 4. A working webcam, microphone and speakers 5. Continuous internet speed of a minimum of 516kbps 6. Headphones (optional) Please also note: Hand held non-programmable calculators can be used You may bring two blank sheets of A4 paper for rough work The IoD financial ratios will be available on screen via a resource tab, and you may also print them prior to the exam and bring them into the exam For your own peace of mind there is a requirement to test the laptop or computer you plan to use in the location you intend to take your exam to ensure its suitability at least 5 days before your exam You can communicate with your invigilator via microphone or instant messaging B) In a Computer-Based Testing Centre (CBTC) You can take your exam in a test centre where a computer is provided and an invigilator present. The exam start times will be 09:30 and 13:30 UK time; this is 08:30 and 12:30 UTC (British Summer Time) or 09:30 and 13:30 UTC. Please also note: Hand held non-programmable calculators can be used You will be provided with two blank sheets of A4 paper for rough work The IoD financial ratios will be available on screen via a resource tab, and a hard copy will be provided at the venue Modular/retakes are NOT available at CBTCs Information which applies to Remote Invigilation and CBTCs With CBT, you will be able to respond to questions via a mouse click, and answers to questions can easily be changed. Questions are presented one at a time and you record your answer to each question as you go so there is no risk of giving your answers out of sequence. 3

4 The system tracks time and allows you to flag questions you wish to return to. There is also a colour coded summary showing which questions are unanswered, flagged, completed and the question currently on screen. You will be given access to an online tutorial in advance of the exam so that you can familiarise yourself with the application and learn how to move between questions etc. The system is really easy to use, everything is very straight-forward and the tutorial can be accessed as many times as you wish. A video explaining remote invigilation can be accessed via Please contact Examinations if you have any questions via examinations@iod.com or call +44 (0) Certificate Remote Invigilation guide With Remotely Invigilated CBT you will use your own laptop or computer connected to the internet to take your exam. If using a laptop, please ensure it has a large screen and is plugged into a power supply rather than relying on the battery. You may take the exam at home or in your workplace. You will need to be alone in the room. It is important that you will not be interrupted by the telephone or any person entering the room. At least five days before the exam date The first you receive from TestReach (the CBT service provider) will provide you with a link to download the TestReach Desktop App. A systems check needs to be completed to ensure your laptop or computer meets the system requirements. This needs to be undertaken at the place you will be taking your exam and at a similar time of day as internet speeds can vary throughout the day. To run the systems check, click the Confirm button located on the right-hand side of the exam dashboard and follow the instructions provided. You will also need to confirm your exam date and UTC start time within the TestReach system. You can take an online tutorial via the exam dashboard in advance of the exam so that you can become familiar with the application and how to move between questions. You can do the tutorial as many times as you wish. The system is really easy to use and everything is very straight forward. On the day of the exam Once you enter the TestReach system via the Desktop App, you will be brought to your exam dashboard. Click Enter on the relevant exam and you will be asked to complete a final systems check. Once this process has been completed, you will be able to connect to the invigilator by clicking on the Connect to Supervisor button. Once connected, voice communication is established with the invigilator. You will need to have your passport or other approved photographic identity document to hand; you will need to hold this up to the screen to be checked by the invigilator. Please note you will not be able to start your exam before the stated time. You can take two blank sheets of A4 paper into the exam along with the IoD financial ratios (the ratios are also available on screen as a resource); these will also need to be held up to the screen before your exam begins. For the duration of the exam you will be monitored by an invigilator via the webcam on your laptop or computer. You will not be able to see the invigilator but you will be able to contact them via microphone or instant messaging. 4

5 Once the exam has started the invigilator will not contact you unless they note any infringements (these will be sent to you to read in advance of your exam). You will also be provided with a contact number for the invigilator. The Certificate exam is made up of 48 multiple choice questions for the full exam and 12 multiple choice questions per section. The screen will be laid out as in the image below. Read each question and click on your preferred response. The answer you click is automatically saved within the system, however it can be changed as many times as needed. You can easily navigate between questions via the buttons at the bottom of the screen (they will be numbered 1-48 or 1-12 accordingly), these are colour coded to show which are unanswered, flagged or answered. To flag questions you would like to return to, just click the box next to the flag icon. The application has a clock so you can easily see how much time is remaining and you will be sent a notification 30 minutes (full exam only) and 5 minutes (full exam and modular/retake exams) before the end of the exam. At the end of the allotted exam duration, your exam is automatically submitted. Alternatively you have the option to submit your exam at any stage before the end of the exam. Once your exam has been submitted (either manually or automatically) you must show your rough paper and financial ratios to the invigilator or your exam may not be marked. Once your exam has been submitted, you will not be able to return to your examination. Certificate CBTC guide At least five days before the exam date Once registered to take your exam you will receive an from TestReach (the CBT service provider) which will provide you with the link and login details to TestReach. This will enable you to take an online tutorial in advance of the exam to become familiar with the application so that you know how to move between questions, flag questions and submit your answers. You can login to TestReach as many times as you wish and should allow around 10 minutes to take the tutorial. The system is really easy to use and everything is very straight forward. Please note that the tutorial is NOT intended to be a practice test for the content of the Certificate. You will need to bring your login password with you to the test centre on exam day. 5

6 On the day of the exam You will be provided with two blank sheets of A4 paper along with the IoD financial ratios (the ratios are also available on screen as a resource. Once logged in, you will see the dashboard (also used to access the tutorial). You will not be able to start your exam before the stated time. The Certificate exam is made up of 48 multiple choice questions for the full exam and 12 multiple choice questions per section. The screen will be laid out as in the image on the next page. Read each question and click on your preferred response. The answer you click is automatically saved within the system, however it can be changed as many times as needed. You can easily navigate between questions via the buttons at the bottom of the screen (they will be numbered 1-48 or 1-12 accordingly), these are colour-coded to show which are unanswered, flagged or answered. To flag questions you would like to return to, just click the box next to the flag icon. The application has a clock so you can easily see how much time is remaining. At the end of the allotted exam duration, your exam is automatically submitted. Alternatively you have the option to submit your exam at any stage before the end of the exam. Once your exam has been submitted, you will not be able to return to your examination. You will not be permitted to leave the CBT centre during the first or last half hour of the exam. You will not be allowed to bring in or take out any note paper. 6

7 Certificate in Company Direction Examination: Further support If you have any questions regarding the examinations procedure, examination regulations, or would like any further information please contact the IoD Examinations team. Kind regards, IoD Examinations Team Tel: +44 (0) Web: 7