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The ICB’s new online Level 1 assessment, that was only launched mid-April, has been an outstanding success and already more than five hundred people from six countries have passed. Entrants from the UK, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Singapore and South Africa have become the first to pass this groundbreaking new assessment. For a full list click here
The online assessment replaces the old, paper-based version that has proved so successful since it was launched in 2000. The paper version was available on a weekly basis but the new online assessment is available at any time of the day or night, three-hundred-and-sixty-five days a year and from anywhere in the world that the web can be accessed. The online Level I follows very closely the format of the paper version, and feedback from candidates taking the assessment has been extremely positive. It is very simple and straightforward but is still a very accurate test of ability and the understanding of the principles of bookkeeping. Candidates are given two hours to complete the assessment once they have started, which allows plenty of time for checking.
Instant results
Although the ICB has always prided itself on being the fastest professional body when it comes to results, a maximum of only twenty-eight days from completion rather than several months taken by most others, under the new online system results are given immediately the candidate hits the ‘Finish’ button.
The programme that delivers the new examination was written in-house by ICB director of IT, James Carter, with the questions being put together by director of examinations, Dr Philip Dunn and operations director, Patricia Marshall.
Dr Philip Dunn is very pleased with such an overwhelming early success: “I am absolutely delighted and very proud that we have been able to introduce the online assessment in just a few short months when other examination boards that I have worked with in the past have taken years to introduce anything this new and revolutionary. James has done a brilliant job. Results so far have been excellent and mirror almost exactly what we would have expected under the old system. This shows that our new assessment is certainly equal in testing standard to what we had before. However, the big advantage to online assessments is the flexibility and the fact that we are no longer reliant upon the postal system for distribution. Candidates can get their results immediately and then get on with working towards the professional examinations at the next levels”.
ICB chief executive, Garry Carter, praised the hard work that has gone into this latest in the long list of ground-breaking successes for the ICB: “This has been a real team effort from James, Philip and Pat obviously, but also everyone else including our administration team who have helped get the message out to our students, and Ami, our director of communications who has been involved throughout. Congratulations to everyone”.
All tutors were expected to take the new online assessment before it was launched so that they would know at first hand just what it would feel like for their students. Some were a bit nervous but all passed with good results. It is a requirement that all tutors employed by ICB Accredited Training Providers are fully ICB qualified.
Overseas
This assessment platform has also been rolled out around the world to colleges and other ICB offices who have previously used 3rd party software. One happy member of staff quoted:
"thankyou so much for this system - it is fantastic :)"
Helen Harrison, Australia
Future development
James is now working on developing other ICB examinations and assessments to make them even more accessible.
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