Assessment
To obtain the Company Directors Course award you will need to register for the examination. To do this please contact your local state office or assessment@companydirectors.com.au or +61 2 8248 6600.
The Company Directors Course Assignment Cover Sheet 2011/12 is available for download.
Assessment FAQs
Registering for the Online Examination
Q: What is my login? I have not received my login details yet, what are they?
A: Once the exam registration is completed (which takes between 2–3 days of fax being received), you can log in to our website to access both practice questions and the exam.
If you wish to retrieve your login details for our website, then go to the Forgotten password page. Please note that you will need to enter the email address you have supplied us. Your login details will be emailed to you immediately.
Q: Who can be my invigilator?
A: The criteria for an invigilator are listed on the invigilator nomination form. The duties of the invigilator are as follows:
- Ensure the room is clear of materials AND check the computer meets all technical requirements.
- Provide a non-programmable calculator.
- Once the Candidate is logged into their account enter the code to enable access to the exam content. By doing this you are agreeing to the terms and conditions of the exam.
- Ensure the Candidate downloads and prints off a copy of the financial statements once the Candidate is logged in.
- Keep track of time to ensure the Candidate is only allocated the allowed time for the exam.
- Have a line of sight of the Candidate at all times during the exam.
- Enter the code to enable the Candidate to submit the exam. By doing this you are confirming the terms and conditions of the exam have been adhered to.
- Destroy ALL materials the Candidate used during the exam i.e. financial statements, rough workings etc.
Q: If I am not able to find a suitable invigilator what are the alternatives?
A: We may be able to provide exam supervision. Please contact your State office for more information.
Q: What are the terms and conditions to be agreed to for the exam?
A: The terms and conditions are as follows:
- The examination is to be completed solely by the candidate.
- At the designated time, the testing room is to be cleared of books and other materials that may be used by the candidate (The only materials candidates are permitted to use are: a copy of the financial statements which you can download for the candidate prior to the commencement of the exam, and a non programmable battery operated calculator).
- Calculators with alpha keyboards and calculator functions on mobile phones are not to be used in the examination.
- The PIN sent to the invigilator is not to be revealed to any other party
Preparing for the Online Examination
Q: Is there a trial paper to prepare with? When do I get access to the practice questions? Where do I go to access the practice questions?
A: There is no trial paper as such but a set of practice questions are available to complete if desired. These questions are not intended to test your competency in the subject but are designed to give you a flavour for the layout and functionality of the exam. You will be given access once you register for the exam. It is useful to do to get used to the different functions that make up the online exam tool.
The purpose of the practice questions is to give you a “look and feel” for the online exam tool; it should not be used as a measurement of preparedness for the exam. The practice questions should be used for:
- Familiarising yourself with the online exam application
- Ascertaining the compatibility of your machine with the online exam application
Q: Do I get feedback after completing the practice questions?
A: Indicative answers are provided for the multiple choice questions and a model answer is provided for the short answer question.
Q: Can I access the practice questions more than once?
A: Yes, you can attempt it more than once.
Setting Up for the Online Examination
Q: Can I use a wireless internet connection?
A: Yes, wireless internet connection can be used however it should be capable of maintaining a continued and consistent connection throughout the entire duration of the exam.
Q: Where do I find the financials? Will time taken to download the financials impact the exam timer?
A: There is a link to download the financial statements on the examination instruction page once the candidate is logged in. Downloading the financial statements does not start the exam and so will not affect the status of the exam timer.
Notification of Results
Q: Can you check if my paper has been received and when will I receive notification of results?
A: Your exam will be received electronically and then sent to external assessment markers for marking. If a resit is required you will be informed in writing of the outcome within 4 weeks, otherwise you will only receive notification when both the exam and assignment have been submitted and marked.
Q: What marks do I need to get to pass and do I get a mark or a grade?
A: Both parts of the exam are equally weighted and the pass grade is 65% for each part. Results are reported as a grade only (Pass/Not Successful/Order of Merit).
Q: If I am asked to resit do I need to resit the whole task and how many opportunities are there to resit? Is coaching available to me if I am asked to resit?
A: You will be asked to resit the section you did not pass. You will only be provided with one opportunity to resit. There is no coaching available however the areas to assist your preparation will be included in the letter advising of the outcome.
Writing Up the Assignment
Q: What do I do if I find the numbers contained in the financial statements don't make sense?
A: Accept the data as is. Commentary should be given on the company's financial position based upon the financial statements provided in the assignment.
Q: Are there templates recommended for writing up the board report?
A: While there are no templates made available, there are various examples discussed during the delivery of the course.
Q: Is the word count a suggested or required one?
A: The word count is suggested and therefore you will not incur any penalties for going over this limit.
Q: Is there a sample to assist in preparation?
A: Pages 11 and 12 of the "Study and Exam Techniques" booklet address the assignment specifically so please do take time to read these. The checklist found on the assignment cover sheet can be used to ensure you have answered the required elements for each part of the assignment.
Miscellaneous
Q: What percentage of people pass the assessment?
A: 95% of the people who submit the assessment tasks meet the required pass grade.
Q: How long do I have to complete the assessment? Do I have an opportunity to request an extension?
A: Assessment tasks are to be submitted within 6 weeks from the final module of the course you attended. Under very special circumstances, you may request an extension for up to 6 weeks. However, all assessment must be completed by 30 September 2012.
Q: What modules are assessable?
A: All module content is assessable.
Q: Is there an order for undertaking assessments?
A: It is up to the individual to decide in which order the assessments are undertaken.
Q: Do I need to post and email? Do I get feedback?
A: You may either post or submit online. The outcome from undertaking Company Directors Course assessment tasks is a grade i.e. Pass, Pass with Order of Merit or Re-sit. Additional feedback is not given to individuals who successfully pass, and this is due to the continuous nature of our assessment work.