Assessment

To achieve the International Company Directors Course award, the requirements are:

1. Attend a minimum of eight of the ten International Company Directors Course modules.
And
2. Successful completion of the two assessment tasks: assignment and examination.

The assignment and the examination should be completed within six weeks of the completion of the course.

Participants may, in certain circumstances, request an extension of time. More assessment information can be found in the course notes or from our National Assessment team via email or +61 2 8248 6600.

Notwithstanding this, and no matter what the commencement date, 2012/2013 candidates should complete all assessment tasks by 30 September 2013 to be eligible for the International Company Directors Course award.

Gradings for the award are:
- Pass with Order of Merit
- Pass

Post Nominal:
The GAICD post nominal may be used by members who have achieved the award and are financial members of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

International Company Directors Course
Certificate of Completion

To be awarded the International Company Directors Course Certificate of Completion the requirements are:

1. Attend a minimum of eight of the ten International Company Directors Course modules.
And
2. Successful completion of either the assignment or the examination.

International Company Directors Course
Letter of Attendance

Participants may request a letter of attendance if they have attended a minimum of eight of the ten International Company Directors Course modules.

Additional information:
Members having successfully completed the International Company Directors Course and attained the appropriate award, can record this on their CV as:

Australian Institute of Company Directors, International Company Directors Course (insert year of completion)
Australian Institute of Company Directors, International Company Directors Course Certificate of Completion (insert year of completion).

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 the invigilator nomination form being received) you will have access to both the practice questions and exam via our website.

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. This includes mobile phones.
• Check the computer meets all technical requirements.
• Provide a non-programmable calculator.
• Once the candidate is logged into their account enter their PIN 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.
• Enter the PIN code at the point of exam submission. By doing this you are agreeing that the terms and conditions of the exam have been met.
• 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 could be used by the candidate. The only materials candidates are permitted to use are: a copy of the financial statements which can be downloaded for the candidate prior to the commencement of the exam, and a non programmable battery operated calculator.
• Invigilator to have a line of sight of the candidate at all times during the exam.
• Calculators with alpha keyboards and calculator functions on mobile phones are not to be used in the examination.
• The PIN code sent to the invigilator is not to be revealed to any other party, including the candidate.

Preparing for the online examination

Q: Can I sit the examination in Government offices and schools?
A: In many Government Departments and schools fire walls may impact the log in and access to the external examination site. To test if you are able to log in and access the exam please attempt the practice questions. If this provides access, it is most likely the examination will also be accessible.

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. 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 them 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 by the invigilator. Downloading the financial statements does not start the exam and so will not affect the status of the exam timer.

Q: Does my computer need to be connected to a printer?
A: Yes, to enable the financials to be printed.

Notification of results

Q: When can I get my results?
A: We advise grades by mail after both pieces of assessment have been successfully completed. Our typical turnaround time for assessment receipt, marking and administration is four weeks. Should you be required to resit any section we will advise you by email and mail.

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 four 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 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/Pass With Order of Merit).

Q: If I am asked to resit do I need to resit the whole task? 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. Candidates should include their name, page number and page count in the footer of the assignment.

Q: Is the word count a suggested or required one?
A: The word count is suggested. Papers substantially over the word limit will not be eligible for Pass With Order of Merit grade.

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: How long do I have to complete the assessment? Can I 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 assessments must be completed by 30 September 2013.

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 my assignment? 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. Completed assignments are not returned to the candidate.