27 February 2002
CIMA has again met the needs of employers and students alike in its usual innovative style, this time by becoming the first accountancy body to implement web facilitated computer-based assessment (CBA) as part of its professional qualification - a highly accessible and flexible means of examination.
CBA allows students to access exams at permanently established venues, meaning that students, when they are ready to sit the assessment, do not have to wait for the traditional twice-yearly paper-based exams.
CIMA Director of Student development, Robert Jelly said, 'CIMA CBA provides a win-win situation for employers and students. This new assessment route within the CIMA qualification provides students with more flexibility in planning when they want to be assessed, and provides employers with a more efficient and flexible way in which to train their staff.'
'CIMA CBA also provides students with real-time feedback of their achievements. Students receive an ‘on-the-spot’ percentage breakdown of how well they did in each particular segment of their assessment. CBA means that if they fail, they can address any weaknesses and re-sit as soon as they consider they are ready.'
Jennifer Deen, who works as an accounting analyst at American Express, is studying for her CIMA qualification. Jennifer used CBA in a recent round of examinations and spoke enthusiastically of the new scheme.
'I took four of the foundation papers in one sitting, which proved to be a bit too much and I failed one. It was brilliant for me to be able to re-sit that paper a week after receiving my results rather than having to wait until the next set of exams came round. It was also good that I knew there and then that I had passed. This has meant that I've been able to move on to the Intermediate stage without wasting any time.'
With over 40 institutions taking part in the CBA scheme so far, CIMA has conducted more than one thousand CBA assessments. And momentum is increasing for the CIMA CBA roll out with up to 200 centres being targeted for the end of the year.
You can find out more about CBA online, or contact our Student Services Centre.
