New for 2017 – ICAEW computer-based exams
ICAEW are the latest professional qualification body to update their examination experience (in order to better reflect typical working environments) by confirming their switch from paper-based to computer-based exams from […]
ICAEW are the latest professional qualification body to update their examination experience (in order to better reflect typical working environments) by confirming their switch from paper-based to computer-based exams from March 2017. So we’ve produced a handy guide to tell you everything you need to know about the changes.
Implementation dates
Here’s a quick break-down of which exams will become computer-based when:
2017
| March | Professional Level exam sitting with the first computer-based exams for Tax Compliance and Audit and Assurance. |
| September | Professional Level exam sitting with the first computer-based exams for Financial Accounting and Reporting and Financial Management. |
2018
| March | Professional Level exam sitting with the first computer-based exams for Business Planning and Business Strategy. |
| November | First computer-based exam sitting for the Advanced Level. |
Once an exam paper has been changed over to the computer-based version, there will no longer be an option to sit a traditional hand-written version of that exam.
Booking your computer-based exam for ICAEW CFAB (Certificate level)
There are many test centres across the world where you can sit an ICAEW CFAB exam, including Reed Business School, and all exams must be taken at an approved test centre or through the Pearson Vue network. Simply contact your preferred centre directly or log in to their website, and select your chosen date and time with them.
The changeover to computer-based exams means you can choose to sit your exams in any order and at a time that is convenient to you, without having to wait for a specific time of year.
At the Test Centre
When you arrive at the test centre you will generally be required to confirm your identity by presenting two forms of accepted ID. If you arrive at the test centre without the required IDs you will not be permitted to sit the exam and you will have book a new appointment.
During the check-in process, you will be provided with the following materials:
- a CASIO fx-83 GT PLUS scientific calculator
- a spiral-bound booklet, consisting of 5 laminated sheets (or 5 laminated single noteboards, where booklets are unavailable) and a pen
During the exam, the booklet or noteboards may be replaced for clean ones, but you will not be permitted to have more than the allocated number (ie 1 booklet or 5 noteboards) at any one time.
You must return these articles to the test centre administrator after completion of the exam. Personal items may not be brought into the examination room. Full instructions will be available through your chosen test centre.
The pass mark for each paper is 55% and each exam lasts 90 minutes.
Booking Professional and Advanced Levels exams
The process for these exams has been upgraded details can be found on the ICAEW WEBSITE
Guidance and support
The new exam software has all the essential functions that students need during an exam, and you should already be comfortable in using most of them. To help students become familiar with the new computer-based exam platform, the following support and guidance is available on the ICAEW website:
- A series of short webinars that focus on introducing computer-based exams, the ICAEW exam software and the exam experience from start to finish;
- A computer-based exam guide providing detail on what to expect on the day of the exam, how to navigate through the software, key functionality within the software and frequently asked questions;
- Practice software.
View the guidance and support available to students.
If you have any other queries that about the changeover to computer-based exams, at Reed Business School we’d be more than happy to help.
