Changes to Foundation Level Examining

You may be aware that CIMA has introduced computer based assessment (CBA) for all five papers at Foundation level on a pilot basis during the first half of 2001. This approach will continue to be rolled out over the next few months as more Learning Through Partnership Quality Approved institutions are applying to run these assessments. As you are aware, the assessment style is based on objective test questioning.

Very recently, CIMA’s Council has agreed that objective test questioning is the most appropriate approach for this level of the qualification, as it enables the testing of a broad range of knowledge and understanding across each syllabus without lowering standards. From the May 2002 examinations all Foundation level papers (i.e. written papers) will be tested through objective questioning.

Students will be advised of this change in the August and September 2001 editions of ‘Insider’. Our message stresses that it is very important for students to understand what the change entails. We are advising that they must continue to study the full syllabus at Foundation level. As far as the core Financial Accounting Fundamentals and Management Accounting Fundamentals papers are concerned, there is a requirement for students to develop the process skills that enable understanding of, and the ability to undertake, practical application of the concepts embedded in the curriculum.

We are, therefore, encouraging students to practise on past objective test questions and the ‘substantive’ questions contained in the CIMA Study System or the other manuals and texts that are available.

There are good reasons for stressing practice on longer, process type questions. Students will need to be aware that a range of question styles are possible within objective testing and CIMA will use these, as appropriate. These can include questions with large amounts of data which require the manipulation of that data. Information will be made available on the CIMA Website over the next few months and examples of question types will be available on the student and tutor areas of the site.

Students will still need to be able to meet the requirements of the learning outcomes contained in the syllabus (see the CIMA website at www.cimaglobal.com/students/) and to be able to apply their knowledge.

To re-iterate, we are seeking to emphasise that study around more conventional approaches to exam questions will assist students in ‘knowing how’ to apply knowledge and to understand the process of arriving at an answer. Such skills are clearly needed in order to progress to more complex examinations at the next level.

I understand that this move towards objective test questioning will require some change in terms of approach, and I hope that, overall, you will welcome this initiative. Many institutions have expressed concern, during their LTP visits, about the scheduling of 5 subjects into the duration of an academic year. This should assist in easing the burden. We have recommended to several colleges that some form of directed study – particularly for the non-core papers – could be appropriate and that serious consideration should be given to adopting computer based assessment at Foundation level to overcome timetabling difficulties.

If you have any questions we would be glad to hear from you. Please use the tutors’ discussion board on the CIMA website.

I have attached some details relating to the revised methods of testing at Foundation level.

Yours sincerely

Janet Gardner

Head of Qualification Standards

Information Sheet – Foundation Level - Objective Test Examinations

1. All Foundation level papers will be examined by 100% Objective Test Question papers from the MAY 2002 diet. Both the written papers and computer based testing approaches will adopt this method.

2. The examination hours will be:

Management Accounting Fundamentals - 3 hours

Financial Accounting Fundamentals - 3 hours

Economics for Business - 2 hours

Business Law - 2 hours

Business Mathematics - 2 hours

3. The written Objective Test examinations will comprise two sections. Section A will contain multiple choice objective type questions. Section B will comprise scenario based questions with individual component question values of between 2 and 4 marks.

4. Minor changes will be made to the syllabus to reflect this initiative. These will mainly be concerned with the statements on ‘assessment methods’.