Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs) on computer based Mock Common Proficiency Test(CPT) to be held on 26 th November 2011

Transcription

1 Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs) on computer based Mock Common Proficiency Test(CPT) to be held on 26 th November 2011 Please note that this paper is merely an attempt to provide answers to questions on the subject, posed to us, by the candidates from time to time, to the extent possible and with reference to the extant scheme of examination. However, this compilation is neither exhaustive not does it purport to be a source of complete information on the subject. Hence, candidates are advised, in their own interest, to go through the relevant contents in the website General Queries: 1. What is this computer based Mock CPT? Computer based Mock CPT is a computer-based test (CBT) and not an Internet-based test (IBT) i.e. a candidate does not take the test on an Internet site. Instead of reading the questions in a paper booklet and darkening the circles on the answer-sheet, a candidate will read the questions on a computer terminal and choose an answer by clicking on the correct option. 2. Why is it being held? Computer based Mock CPT is being held for the academic guidance of the candidates who have applied for the Dec CPT and to test the technical efficacy of the model/system developed. 3. How is the computer-based format different from the paper-based format? Format of the test is more or less the same except that a candidate reads a question on a computer terminal and clicks on the correct answer, instead of reading on a paper booklet and using a pencil to darken the circles on an answer sheet. 4. Can I take the test from any computer? No. A candidate will have to take the test on a pre-assigned workstation and will not have a choice to choose his or her workstation, in the testing venue chosen by him/her during the time of registration. 5. What does a CBT test looks like? A walkthrough/demo is available on the website for candidates to get familiarised with the looks, feel, functionality and navigation of the actual test. A 10 minute practice session is also available before commencement of the test, at the test centre. 7. Is it compulsory to take the computer based Mock CPT?

2 No. It is not compulsory to take the computer based Mock CPT. It is only optional. It is not a CPT held under Regulation 25D of the Chartered Accountants Regulations 1988 and does not have any impact on the results of the 18 th December 2011 paper pencil mode CPT, whatsoever, nor does passing it make you eligible for admission to IPCC. 8. Will appearance in computer based Mock CPT be treated as an attempt for the purpose of two permissible attempts in a period of 6 months? No. Queries related to eligibility 9. Who are all eligible to appear in the computer based Mock CPT? Those who have applied for appearing in the paper pencil mode CPT on 18 th December 2011 are eligible to appear in computer based Mock CPT of 26 th November 2011 Queries related to Registration 10. How do I apply for the computer based Mock CPT? Applications for the computer based Mock CPT can be made only on-line. There is no provision for submission of physical forms for the test. Steps involved in registration are as follows: o Visit o Read the disclaimer carefully. o Read the instructions given in the website before filling the on-line exam form. o Fill the form o Check the details filled in, confirm and submit. o Upload your scanned photograph o Upload your scanned signature. o Make the payment of the fee payable by using master/visa credit/debit card. o Take a print out of the form submitted and payment confirmation and keep it for your record. No need to send it to us by post. o Receive your PIN and Control Number by SMS and for printing of your admit card. o Visit the site from 20 th November 2011 onwards for printing the admit card. o For detailed instructions visit the Registration section on the website. 11. I do not have regular access to internet or computer? Is it compulsory to fill the on-line form? Or can I use the physical form? Application for the computer based Mock CPT can be made on-line only from There are no physical forms.

3 12. Do I need to have a user ID and password for logging into the portal and filling up the exam form? No. There is no need to have a user ID and password for filling in the form for computer based Mock CPT. 13. Do I need an address for filling in an on-line application Yes. It will also be useful for receiving updates/alerts relating to the computer based Mock CPT exam from the exam dept. of ICAI. Make sure that you fill the correct ID( without any typographical errors), as all communications from ICAI and your user ID and password will be sent to the ID that you enter. 14. Can I use my friend s ID? Yes. However, we strongly recommend that you have your own ID so that you can send/receive communication/s in a quick, secure, cost effective and eco-friendly manner. 15. Can I start filling in the on-line exam form and complete the same later? Yes, you can save the data you enter, as you go along. You can come back and edit the data you have already entered, any time, before you make the payment. After you make successful payment, you cannot make changes. 16. Can I upload my photograph and signature after I make the payment? Yes. You can do so, but before the registration window closes, i.e. before Hrs on 16 th November For uploading the photograph/signature you have to log in again using your registration number, PIN and Control Number. PIN is the four digit number that you enter in the form. Control number is the system generated number printed on the top right hand corner of your application form. 17. Can I change the centre of my preference? You can change the centre you have already entered in the on-line form, till you make the payment. Once you make the payment of fees, you will not be allowed to change the same. 18. I am not able to log in. What should I do? or What is this provisional application? Your identity as a student of ICAI is validated through

4 Your ten digit registration number ( like NRO ) or the bar code number of your application for the Dec 18 th 2011 CPT paper pencil mode and Your date of birth Hence, please ensure that you fill in your student registration number as per the registration letter sent to you. You may have a copy of the letter from Board of Studies, ICAI registering you as a student of ICAI ready, so that you can fill your registration number correctly. Also ensure that you fill in your date of birth, as per the documents submitted by you to the Institute at the time of registration. In case the details entered by you in the form are different from those in our data base, you will not be able to log in. In such a case, you may submit a provisional application. Some of the errors committed by candidates while filling the on-line forms are as follows: Your unique registration number typed on the on-line form may be different from the one that is communicated to you by the Board of Studies of the Institute. The date of birth you enter in the form may be different from the date of birth on the records of the Institute. 19. I submitted my Registration Form for joining the CPT course before but I have not yet received my Registration Number from ICAI. How do I apply for the 26 th November computer based Mock CPT? You can submit your provisional on-line application. The system will allot you a provisional number for the limited purpose of submission of exam form for computer based Mock CPT. Your form will be marked PROVISIONAL on the top right hand corner. The provisional number can be used for logging in into the system for printing admit card. For all practical purposes, it does not make any difference whether you are a regular candidate or provisional candidate, in this computer based Mock CPT. 20. I logged into my application and all the information I had previously entered is changed. What do I do? You can edit the editable fields and complete the process. payment will freeze the details. Making successful 21. What is this PIN? It is a four digit number of your choice that you should enter in the form. You may memorise this number. You will need this number for logging into the site for printing

5 the admit card. Do not keep this PIN the same as the one that you use to transact through your credit/debit card. 22. When do I know to which test centre I am allotted? What is the basis of allotment of candidates to the test cities? You will know the test cities/centres to which you are allotted, from the admit cards that you can print from 20 th November onwards. ICAI shall make all efforts to allot the candidates to the centres of their first preference, on first come first served basis, subject to availability of seats. Centres where all the seats are already filled up, will not be seen in the drop down menu in the on-line form. Balance available seats at a centre can be seen from the Test Centres section on the website. 23. What happens if I do not upload my photo/signature on the form? If you do not upload your photo/signature on the form, your admit card will not contain your photo/signature. In such a case, you will be required to print the admit card from the website, affix your photograph/signature at the designated place on the admit card and get it attested by a Chartered Accountant/Head of Educational Institution/Gazetted officer. 24. Can I take the computer based Mock CPT in Hindi medium? No. Computer based Mock CPT is held only in English Medium. Payment related queries: 25. What is the fees for appearing in the computer based Mock CPT? The fee for appearing in the computer based Mock CPT is Rs 300/-. It is non refundable. Under no circumstances, will be fee be refunded. 26. How do I make the payment? You can make the payment on-line by master/visa debit/credit card. 27. I do not have credit/debit cards. What do I do? Someone else can pay for your test, as long as you have their permission to do so. Take care to give your details when filling in the on-line form. When paying for your exam, we'll ask you for the card details. 28. Can I use internet banking? How do I pay the exam fees on-line? No. Payment of exam fees through internet banking is not permitted. You can make payment of exam fees by using master/visa credit/debit cards. 29. What is this late fee?

6 There is no concept of late fee in computer based Mock CPT. You must submit the form within the specified dates and time. Please fill the form early to avoid any last minute technical glitches and rush. 30. I filled in the on-line form and also paid the exam fees. However, when I saw the credit card/bank statement, I realized that the amount of the exam fees has been debited more than once in my account. It appears that I might have paid the exam fees more than once. Can I get a refund of the excess amount paid by me? What is the procedure for claiming the excess exam fee payment arising on account of multiple payments/lost transactions etc? Multiple payments, if any, for a single student, will be identified by the system and are refunded for the credit of the respective accounts from where they originated, by the office, within 45 days of the last date for submission of forms. In case you have made on-line payment of exam fees more than once and do not get a refund within 45 days from the last date for submission of forms, you can claim a refund of the excess amount paid by you, by writing to us within 60 days from the last date for submission of forms, along with documentary evidence, such as bank/credit card statement, of having paid the exam fees more than once. ICAI will verify the same and refund the excess amount, if any, paid by you. Important dates: 31. What are the important dates in this process? Date of opening of the registration window:12 th November 2011 (from Hrs IST) Last date for submission of on-line forms:16 th November 2011( Upto Hrs IST) Date of opening of admit card printing: 20 th November 2011(From Hrs IST) Please note that the registration window may be closed before the last date in case the seats get filled up earlier. Please note that there is no provision for submission of forms for computer based Mock CPT with late fee. 32. Does on-line registration close at Hours (IST) on the last date or at midnight on the last date? On-line registration for the 26 th November 2011 PCPT closes at (Hours) (IST) on 16 th November Hence, take care to see that you fill in your on-line form early enough and do not rush at the last minute. Generation of print-out of the on-line form : 33. Should I print out the on-line form and send you by post? No. There is no need to send the print out of the exam form by post. You may print it and keep it for your record.

7 34. What does submitting a provisional application mean to me, as a candidate? Will I be able to sit for the computer based Mock CPT? In case you have submitted a provisional form, you will still be permitted to sit for the computer based Mock CPT, provided you are eligible otherwise to write the exam. 35. How do I know that my on-line registration is successful? Do I get any acknowledgement upon submission of on-line form? Upon successful completion of on-line registration, a confirmation message appears on the computer screen stating that your transaction is successful. You can take a print out of the form and also the payment confirmation from the site and keep on your record. You will also receive an and SMS confirming the successful transaction and communicating your PIN and Control Number. Queries relating to Admit cards: 36. When do I get admit card and how? Hard copies of admit cards for the computer based Mock CPT will not be sent by post or by . You will be required to print the admit card from the website on or after 20 th November 2011 onwards by logging in using your registration number, PIN and control number. Control number is system generated and can be found on the top right hand corner of the exam form that you print after registration. PIN is the four digit number that you have entered in your form. Admit cards contain your name, roll no. the address of the test centre, reporting time etc. Admit cards also contain a barcode and your password. The barcode will be read by a bar code scanner at the test centre for verifying your identity. The password is required for logging into the computer to which you are allotted and in which your password is configured. Hence it is mandatory to carry the admit card with you to the centre. No change of centre will be permitted under any circumstances. In case you are not able to print admit card from the site on or after 20 th November 2011, you may send an at cptonline@icai.in 37. I forgot my PIN. How can I now print my admit card? You can send an at cptonline@icai.in. Your PIN will be resent to you by and SMS.

8 38. What is this Control No? Control number is a system generated number which is printed on the top right hand corner of your exam form. 39. My admit card does not contain my photograph/signature? Will I be permitted to take the test? You might not have uploaded your photograph/signature at the time of registration. You will be permitted to take the test. All you need to do is to print the admit card from the website, affix your photograph/signature at the designated place on the admit card and get it attested by a Chartered Accountant/Head of Educational Institution/Gazetted officer. 40. What do I do, in case the details in the admit card differ from those in my application form? On receipt of admit card, please do verify your name, registration number, centre, medium, etc. In case of any discrepancy, you can send us an at cptonline@icai.in Queries relating to the test centre/testing process: 41. What is the reporting time for the test? You have to report for the test 1 hour before the commencement of the test. For the batch commencing at 9.00 a.m., the reporting time is 8.00 a.m. For the batch commencing at 2.15 p.m., the reporting time is 1.15 p.m. 42. What can I carry to the test? You may carry your admit card, calculator and pen. 43. What things are not permitted? Apart from admit card, pen, calculator and scratch pad (which will be provided to you at the test centre, nothing else is permitted inside the testing hall. You will not be allowed to carry your mobile phones, books, reference materials, or any other item. 44. Can I take a calculator? Yes. You will be allowed to use battery operated portable calculator. The calculator can be of any type with upto 6 functions, 12 digits and upto two memories. Attempt to use any other type of calculator not complying with the specifications indicated above or having more features than mentioned above shall tantamount to use of unfair means. Scientific calculator is not allowed. You can also use the virtual calculator provided on the test screen.

9 45. If I need to do some rough work, how do I do it? You can do your rough work on a scratch pad which will be given to you at the test centre. You will have to return the same when you leave. You cannot carry back any of the sheets in that. 46. Can my friends or parents accompany me to the centre? Your friends or parents will not be permitted to enter the test hall. 47. What is the procedure, when I go to the test centre? You will have to report at the check in counter and show your admit card. The bar code on your admit card will be read through a bar code scanner and your identity established. Your photograph will also be taken which will appear on the test screen. You will also be given a scratch pad with your seat number written on it. 48. How do I identify the PC where I should take the test? You will be escorted to the PC where you should take the test. Your photo and seat number(written on the scratch pad) will be displayed on the screen. 49. Can I practice the test before it actually starts? There is a 10 minutes practice session provided. You can make use of it to familiarize yourself about the functionalities of the test. In case you do not arrive sufficiently well in time, the test will start at the appointed time and in such a case you will not be able to take the practice session. 50. How does the test start? The test administrator will start the test at the appointed time. A message to the effect that your test starts now, will appear on your screen. 51. If I arrive late, will I be permitted to take the test? Late arrival upto 15 minutes from the commencement of the test, is permitted. However, candidates who arrive late will not get any extension of time. Their time will also end along with all the others at the appointed time. 52. What is the test pattern and duration? The Mock test is of 240 minutes duration and a break of 15 minutes is permitted after completing section A & B and the next section will start automatically on completion of 15 minutes. Candidates are not allowed to leave the test premises during the break.

10 53. The Computer based Mock test you are going to take has 200 objective type questions in 4 sections as given below and the maximum time allowed will be 240 minutes and maximum marks are 200. Batch I: Reporting time 8.00 a.m. Session Sections Subject Maximum Marks A Fundamentals of Accounting 60 First B Mercantile Laws 40 C General Economics 50 Second D Quantitative Aptitude 50 Timings am to am am to 1.15 pm Batch- II: Reporting time 1.15 p.m. Session Sections Subject Maximum Marks A Fundamentals of Accounting 60 First B Mercantile Laws 40 C General Economics 50 Second D Quantitative Aptitude 50 Timings 2.15 p.m to 4.15p.m 4.30 p.m to 6.30 pm 54. What items appear on the test screen? The test screen displays your name, roll number, photograph, timer, navigation buttons, virtual calculator, space for the question, options of answers, number of questions answered, etc. 55. How do I mark my answers or navigate the test? Once you Login the system, you would get one question at a time on your screen with four options (with radio buttons) for answer. Only one option is selectable as an answer. If you want to change your answer, click on the other option, the previously selected answer will automatically get changed. You can go to any question directly by clicking on the question number, which will appear at the bottom of the screen. The answered question number will be marked in Green colour and the unanswered/skipped question will remain in blue colour

11 If you are doubtful of the answer, you can mark a question for review by clicking at the review option at the bottom of your screen and the question number will be marked in Yellow colour. This will be unmarked automatically, once you come back to the same question at a later time. Timer display at the top of the screen indicates the time left for you to complete the session. Do check this timer regularly and allocate your time carefully to ensure that you have sufficient time to attempt all the questions. You can move between the sections in one session, i.e between Section A and Section B within session I and between Section C and Section D within session II at your will by clicking at the other section given at the bottom (left hand side) of the screen. The test closes automatically once the allotted time of 120 minutes is over in each session, ie. Session I and session II. In case you finish your test before the allotted time, you will get a confirmation page which will give you two options. Either to go back to the test or to complete the test. In case you still have time left and you want to review your answers, you can go back to the test. Else you may complete the test and click on the SUBMIT button. Ensure that you click on SUBMIT as a sign of completion. Please be sure before clicking SUBMIT that you have completed the test.. Once you complete the on-line test, you should be able to see the screen indicating completion of test with a thank you note. 56. What happens if the computer crashes or hangs in between, during the test? Every click of the mouse and stroke on the keyboard is usually recorded in a log file. In the rare event that your computer crashes/hangs, your assessment can be restarted either on the same computer or on a different computer. You just have to inform the test administrator. You will not lose any time. You will be given extension of time to the extent to which time was lost in shifting you to a different computer. 57. If I complete the test before the appointed time, can I leave? No. You will have to remain seated, even if you have completed the test, till the test ends at the appointed time. 58. Can I leave the centre during the break? No.

12 59. Do I have to sign the attendance register, as in the case of paper pencil exams? Yes. You will have to sign the attendance registers for each session. 60. From where can I get the list of test centres? Please see the Test centres section on the home page of the website Queries relating to results 61. What is the scoring system? For each correct answer, one mark will be awarded. For each wrong answer, 1/4 th mark will be deducted and for questions not answered i.e. blanks, a zero will be given. The question answered and marked for review will be treated as answered, even if you do not review it. 62. What is the passing criteria? A candidate is declared to have passed the test if he secures a minimum of 50% of marks in aggregate, i.e. all sections of the test put together. There is no requirement of securing minimum marks in any subject/section. But appearance in both the sessions of the test is mandatory. 63. When do I get to know the results? The marks obtained by you in the test will be displayed on the screen at the end of the test. 64. Do you award ranks to those who secure high marks in the computer based Mock CPT? Or Is there a merit list? There is no such provision, since it is meant to be a practice test only. 65. What are the rules regarding verification of marks? There is no provision for verification of marks for the computer based Mock CPT of 26 th November 2011, since it is only a practice test meant for your academic guidance and is not a test held under Regulation 25D. 66. What are the instructions relating to test centre and the actual test? For detailed instructions relating to test centres and the actual test, you may visit the Test Centre Rules and Testing Process hosted on the website. 67. Feedback/contact details: We welcome your feedback/suggestions on your experience in filling the on-line forms. You can send them to us at any of the contact details given below:

13 Telephones: , 852, 853, 835, 805.