Examinations

Examination Structure

ACP Professional Examinations…
At the end of the course, candidates are required to attain at least a 'Pass' grade in 3 compulsory written examinations. Additionally, at each level, Students are required to submit practical projects and coursework assignments which will contribute to their final examination performance.

External invigilation, marking & moderation…
All written examinations are conducted three times a year, on a closed-book basis, at ACP approved institutions. Overseas invigilation will normally be arranged through the local British Council, Embassy or Ministry of Education. All marking is carried out by ACP approved markers and externally moderated.

The Certificate in Information Technology Fundamentals…
The 3 compulsory written examinations at Certificate level are:

Information Technology Fundamentals

Computer Applications & Operations

Applied Programming

Additionally, students must submit an individual

Programming Project

This must be written in an approved procedural language (please refer to ACP syllabuses regarding our training approach). Typically, at least 50 hours' work will be required to complete the project and its documentation. A sample project in Java, complete with tutorial notes and a marking scheme is available for use by centres and tutors.

The ACP Diploma in Information Systems Analysis & Design…
The 3 compulsory written examination papers at this level are:

Systems Analysis & Design

Software Engineering

Business Information Systems

During the course, candidates are also required to submit

6 Practical Diploma Assignments (2 for each subject at this level)

typically requiring between 8-16 hours for each assignment and using languages such as Java, Pascal or 'C'. The subject for each Diploma assignment must be approved by ACP in advance to ensure it is suitable in terms of syllabus coverage, difficulty and work content.

The ACP Advanced Diploma in Computer Science
The 3 written compulsory examination subjects at this level are:

Information Systems Principles & Networking

Information Systems Analysis & Design; Advanced Programming

Information Systems Management

Candidates are also required to submit 2 projects, a

Programming Project

(the preferred choice, for reasons highlighted in ACP's Syllabuses)

Individual Project

in an approved subject.

Each project can be expected to demand 60-80 hours' work by the candidate and will contribute to their overall examination result. Once again, the subject for a project must be approved in advance to ensure it is suitable in terms of language, syllabus coverage, difficulty and work content. Alternatively, suggested programming projects in Java, complete with tutorial notes and marking schemes are available for use by centres and tutors. Advanced Diploma projects MUST be marked by ACP approved examiners and must be moderated externally by ACP.

Examinations Calendar 2008

Download Examinations Calendar 2008

Examinations Calendar 2009

Download Examinations Calendar 2009

Sample examination question papers

Download INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FUNDAMENTALS specimen examination question paper

Download COMPUTER APPLICATIONS AND OPERATIONS specimen examination question paper

Download APPLIED PROGRAMMING specimen examination question paper

Download SYSTEMS ANALYSIS AND DESIGN specimen examination question paper

Download SOFTWARE ENGINEERING specimen examination question paper

Download BUSINESS INFORMATION SYSTEMS specimen examination question paper

Download INFORMATION SYSTEMS PRINCIPLES AND NETWORKING specimen examination question paper

Download INFORMATION SYSTEMS ANALYSIS AND DESIGN ADVANCED PROGRAMMING specimen examination question paper

Download INFORMATION SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT specimen examination question paper

Results and certificates

Successful candidates…

A awarded i.e. Certificate, Diploma or Advanced Diploma, as appropriate - will be issued to a candidate who has been successful in all three written papers and the Project/Coursework at any given level.

In addition, each student will receive a letter confirming his/her results i.e. 'PASS', 'CREDIT', or 'DISTINCTION' in both the written papers and project/coursework assessments(s).

Unsuccessful candidates…
Candidates who been unable to achieve the minimum 'PASS' grade in one or more component subjects, will receive a letter confirming his/her performance. Failed components may be retaken at a future examination series.

Distribution of results…
When the results have been finalised, the Association will send the certificates and grade letters direct to the centre for distribution to the students concerned. A summary of the candidates' results will be included for the centre's records.

Results are normally sent out about 10 weeks after the written examination dates. However, there will be a delay if centres are not prompt in sending candidates' marks for internally set and/or marked coursework or projects to ACP.

Under no circumstances whatsoever may a centre advise students of marks achieved in any internally set/conducted project or coursework until the moderated grades have been officially advised to the centre by ACP.

All correspondence from candidates regarding examinations must be conducted through the centre.

Examination Results - queries and/or amendments…

Requests for re-marking of a candidate's script… If the results of a candidate are seriously at variance with the reasonable expectations of their tutors, the Association will, on receipt of an application signed by the Principal, arrange for all parts of the candidate's examination to be re-marked.

A 'Remark Request' form is provided for the purpose. The completed form must be accompanied by the fee shown in ACP's current 'Fees List'.

Applications must be made as soon as possible after the examination concerned and, at the latest, within 3 months of the issue of results.

Corrections to certificates… Corrections to certificates must be requested within 3 months of the issue of results.

It is important that centres ask candidates to check their personal details as printed on the 'ACP Student Membership Card' and/or 'ACP Student Acceptance Letter' bearing the student's name as we have deciphered it from the 'Application for Membership' form.

A charge will be made for the correction to the spelling of a candidate's name where the error has been evident on the 'Student Membership Card' and/or 'Acceptance Letter' yet not been advised by the student or centre prior to the examinations taking place. See current 'Fees List'.

Issuing Candidates' results letters and awards… We endeavour to complete the marking and moderation of candidates' examination scripts within 8-10 weeks of the examinations.

However, we do not guarantee to furnish training centres with results letters before the '6-week Examination Entry Deadline' expires for the subsequent scheduled examination session.

Therefore, the payment of 'Late Entry Fees' will still apply or Students should postpone re-sitting until the next session.

Association of Computer Professionals