CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT IN ICT
PRACTICE TESTS

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

Broadband internet connection
Microsoft Windows 2000, XP, Vista or 7 operating system
Adobe Flash Player (Verify/Download)
Microsoft Word 2000, 2002 (XP), 2003, 2007 or 2010
Microsoft Excel 2000, 2002 (XP), 2003, 2007 or 2010

REGISTERING CANDIDATES

You are permitted to register candidates between 1 September and 1 August of the current academic year. To register candidates, visit the Certificate of Achievement webpage and follow the on-screen instructions. You will be required to login. Your school will have details of its ISEB account number and password. When your registration has been processed (which can take up to three days), you will receive a registration confirmation email. This email will include login details for the candidates and the centre (the centre ID and password is separate from the ISEB account number and password mentioned earlier) and a ZIP file attached containing the following:

a selection of module 1(a) practice tests; each test will contain a Microsoft Word starter document, instructions for the candidate to follow and any other additional resources required for the test
a selection of module 2 practice tests; each test will contain a Microsoft Excel starter spreadsheet, instructions for the candidate to follow and any other additional resources required for the test
a selection of module 6(b) practice test instructions; the tests themselves are taken online

The email will also contain a link to download a Windows program for marking word processing and spreadsheet tests (the 'marking engine').

REGISTRATION/LICENCE FEES

The fee is £20 per candidate. This permits the licencee to use the practice tests and marking engine for the duration of the current academic year (1 September to 31 August). You do not need to provide a method of payment during registration as your school will be invoiced.

ELEMENTS OF THE ASSESSMENT

Word processing (1(a) of specification)
The teacher provides each registered candidate with an electronic copy of the word-processing starter document (and any additional resources required for the specific test) and a printed copy of the instructions. The candidate then edits the document on his or her PC in accordance with the instructions. Once a candidate has completed and saved his or her work, the document can be marked using the marking engine.
The module is designed to be taken within a normal 35-minute teaching period. In the live assessment, candidates are permitted to refer to notes, previously completed exercises, online tutorials, the Internet and any application help files which they may find useful. They are not permitted to use email or to discuss questions or answers with teachers, supervisors or other candidates.
Data handling (2 of specification)
The teacher provides each registered candidate with an electronic copy of the spreadsheet starter file and a printed copy of the instructions. The candidate then edits the spreadsheet on his or her PC in accordance with the instructions. Once a candidate has completed and saved his or her work, the spreadsheet can be marked using the marking engine.
The module is designed to be taken within a normal 35-minute teaching period. In the live assessment, candidates are permitted to refer to notes, previously completed exercises, online tutorials, the internet and any application help files which they may find useful. They are not permitted to use email or to discuss questions or answers with teachers, supervisors or other candidates.
Web-page design (6(b) of specification)
The teacher provides each registered candidate with a printed copy of the instructions. The candidate is required to visit the module 6(b) practice test webpage, supply his or her login credentials and then commence the appropriate web-page design test. The candidate then fulfils various web-page design tasks in accordance with the instructions. At any point during the test, the candidate is able to click the Preview button to preview his or her HTML and click the Submit button to see how many marks have been awarded.
The module is designed to be taken within a normal 35-minute teaching period. In the live assessment, candidates are permitted to refer to notes, previously completed exercises, online tutorials, the Internet and any application help files which they may find useful. They are not permitted to use email during the assessment or to discuss questions or answers with teachers, supervisors or other candidates.

This element of the test requires Adobe Flash Player to be installed on the PC.

MARKING

The Windows 'marking engine' program is required for marking word processing and spreadsheet tests. Please note that you must have an active internet connection to commence marking. It is up to the teacher to decide whether he or she will mark the candidate's work or allow candidates to mark his or her own work.

Start the marking engine and supply the candidate's login credentials. Choose the Test type you wish to mark, click the Select File button to locate the candidate's completed test and then click Open. To commence marking, click Mark File. Once marking has been completed, the marks are transmitted to ISEB servers and you will be presented with a popup window providing detailed marking feedback. This process can be repeated for the other test relating to the same candidate. When a different candidate's work is ready for marking, the marking engine must be exited and restarted with the new candidate's login credentials entered.

The marking of Web-page design tests occurs when the Submit button is pressed during the test. There is no detailed marking feedback for this module.

Please note that marks for practice tests are not stored permanently; they are displayed only at the time of marking.

OTHER INFORMATION

Visit the following webpage and supply your centre login details to view all candidate information relating to your centre.