Past case studies

You must practise completing case studies under exam conditions as part of your preparation.

In the build-up to the TOPCIMA exam, complete at least three case studies under exam conditions and review your answers carefully using the assessment matrix. Look at the examiner’s report for more guidance.

If you can, get your work marked by a tutor and ask for feedback.

Past case study material is available for you to download below. Each exam is made up of four downloads:

the pre-seen material - published before the exam
the assessment matrix - published before the exam
the unseen material - given in the exam
the exam requirement - given in the exam

Articles reviewing the pre-seen material from past exams are available in the Study Resources area. They are best used in conjunction with the relevant past pre-seen material, as part of your preparation for the TOPCIMA exam.

You will need Adobe Acrobat software to view the PDF files. If you do not have this installed on your computer, you can download it free from the Adobe website.

March 2008 TOPCIMA on Computer pilot exam (PDF 425KB)

In March 2008 we held a limited 'TOPCIMA on computer' pilot exam in designated centres. The exam used the same preseen material as for the May 2008 exam.

November 2007 pre-seen material (PDF 482KB)

November 2007 assessment matrix (PDF 4KB)

November 2007 unseen material (PDF 476KB)

November 2007 exam requirement (PDF 21KB)

In September 2007 we held a limited 'TOPCIMA on computer' pilot exam in designated centres. The exam used the same preseen material as for the November 2007 exam (see above). The preseen material, unseen material, assessment matrix and exam requirement are available to download:

September 2007 TOPCIMA on Computer pilot exam (PDF 255KB)

May 2007 pre-seen material (PDF 160KB)

May 2007 assessment matrix (PDF 67KB)

May 2007 unseen material (PDF 59KB)

May 2007 exam requirement (PDF 136KB)

In March 2007 we held a limited 'TOPCIMA on computer' pilot exam in designated centres. The exam used the same pre-seen material as for the May 2007 exam (see above). The pre-seen material, unseen material, assessment matrix and exam requirement are available to download:

March 2007 TOPCIMA on Computer Pilot Exam (PDF 269KB)

Nov 2006 pre-seen material (PDF 180KB)

Nov 2006 assessment matrix (PDF 68KB)

Nov 2006 unseen material (PDF 197KB)

Nov 2006 exam requirement (PDF 91KB)

In September 2006 we held a limited 'TOPCIMA on computer' pilot exam in designated centres. The exam used the same preseen material as for the November 2006 exam (see above). The preseen material, unseen material, assessment matrix and exam requirement are available to download:

September 2006 TOPCIMA on Computer pilot exam (PDF 364KB)

May 2006 pre-seen material (PDF 220 KB)

May 2006 assessment matrix (PDF 68KB)

May 2006 unseen material (PDF 163KB)

May 2006 exam requirement (PDF 104KB)

In March 2006 we held a limited 'TOPCIMA on computer' pilot exam in designated centres. The exam used the same preseen material as for the May 2006 exam (see above). The preseen material, unseen material, assessment matrix and exam requirement are available to download:

March 2006 TOPCIMA on Computer Pilot Exam (PDF 385KB)

Nov 2005 pre-seen material (PDF 288KB)

Nov 2005 assessment matrix (PDF 82KB)

Nov 2005 unseen material (PDF 145KB)

Nov 2005 exam requirement (PDF 53KB)

In September 2005 we held a limited 'TOPCIMA on computer' pilot exam in designated centres. The exam used the same pre-seen material as for the November 2005 exam (see above).

Sept 2005 TOPCIMA on Computer Pilot Exam unseen material (PDF 157KB)

Sept 2005 TOPCIMA on Computer Pilot Exam exam requirement (PDF 54KB)

May 2005 pre-seen material (PDF 279KB)

May 2005 assessment matrix (PDF 70KB)

May 2005 unseen material (PDF 200KB)

May 2005 exam requirement (PDF 88KB)

Nov 2004 pre-seen material (PDF 312KB)

Nov 2004 assessment matrix (PDF 90KB)

Nov 2004 unseen material (PDF 105KB)

Nov 2004 exam requirement (PDF 84KB)

May 2004 pre-seen material (PDF 222KB)

May 2004 assessment matrix (PDF 86KB)