BCS Examination Guidance for the Practitioner Software Asset Management Examination

Transcription

1 BCS Examination Guidance for the Practitioner Software Asset Management Examination Version 1.2 August 2011

2 Contents Introduction...3 Entry Requirements For The Examination...3 Structure of the Examination...3 Pass Mark...4 Answering the Questions...4 Recommendation for the allocation of time during the Examination...4 Candidates Notes and Deletions...4 General Advice...5 Additional Resources...5 Syllabus 5 Sample Paper 5 Guidance on the Interpretation of Examination Questions 5 Terminology 6 Copyright BCS 2011 Page 2 of 7

3 Examination Guidance for Practitioner in Software Asset Management Examinations Introduction This document has been produced by BCS to help candidates and Training Providers alike to provide general guidance on how to answer questions in the examination and to understand the terminology used in the examinations. Firstly, BCS strongly recommends that candidates attend an BCS accredited training course. Empirical evidence makes it very clear that candidates who attend an accredited training course have a much higher pass rate than those who do not. Training Providers will use trained staff who will be able to deliver a high quality course which have been reviewed and approved by BCS. During the course, candidates will be required to take either a full mock exam or a partial mock exam so that candidates will have an insight as to what they can expect on the day of the live examination. Entry Requirements For The Examination The entry requirements for candidates taking the exam for BCS Practitioner Certificate in Software Asset Management are as follows: Candidates must hold the BCS Certificate in Software Asset Management Essentials qualification and: have an ability to demonstrate exposure to all aspects of the phases of Software Asset Management have an understanding of ITIL Best Practices Software Asset Management Structure of the Examination The examination lasts 3 hours but candidates will be also be given an additional 15 minutes (just prior to the start time of the examination) to read the scenario on which the questions are based. Candidates are not permitted to mark the paper in any way or write notes within this 15 minute reading time. There are 5 questions and candidates are required to answer all questions (each is worth 14 marks). Some or all of these questions may be sub-divided into parts, where this is the case the specific mark that is allotted to a particular part will be shown. An additional 6 marks per question will be awarded on the following basis: Articulation: Additional 2 marks per question could be awarded for innovation that demonstrates an excellent level of knowledge about the topic. Presentation: Additional 1 mark per question could be awarded for an easy to read, well structured response. Relevance: Additional 3 marks per question for clearly referencing the scenario. Copyright BCS 2011 Page 3 of 7

4 Pass Mark In order to achieve a pass, a minimum of 60 marks must be obtained. Candidates who achieve 80 marks or more will be awarded a Distinction. Answering the Questions The first fifteen minutes (reading time) is intended to allow the candidate to assimilate all the information provided. After this period there are three hours in which questions are to be answered. It seems too obvious to suggest that the question and all of the accompanying information should be read thoroughly, yet the advice often given bears repeating read the question, and answer the question. How the answer should be structured depends entirely on the question asked. Candidates should remember that the finished script when passed to the marker becomes the only means by which a judgement can be reached upon whether the creator of the answers appears to know and understand the various aspects associated with testing. Clear, legible writing is necessary though no marks are earned or lost because of the standard of handwriting. It is simply the case that if an answer cannot be read it cannot be marked. Each question will normally comprise of a fairly straightforward component (often with a theoretical bias), a practical component (usually based in application of the theory tested in the first part of the question), and a more challenging component that aims to test a candidate s ability to think across topics or knowledge of how to apply a topic in greater depth. Full marks will not be awarded where the question makes reference to the scenario and the candidate does not refer to the scenario. These are broad aims applied to the live papers but should not be taken as a guarantee of the structure of any given examination or any specific question. However, a candidate who has prepared to answer questions structured in the manner above will be well prepared for the examination. Recommendation for the allocation of time during the Examination Candidates should spend approximately minutes per question allowing up to 10 minutes to review the completed answers. Candidates are free to answer the questions in whichever sequence they like but each question needs to be started on a new page. Candidates Notes and Deletions Normally, the marker will not take into consideration any rough work or deletions, but in the event of a close fail, the marker may consider these notes to see if there is further evidence of the candidate s knowledge which has not been adequately demonstrated in the answers given. Copyright BCS 2011 Page 4 of 7

5 General Advice The markers will look at the question overall and judge the quality and structure of the answer as well as counting the marks. Whilst the number of valid points made is important, so is the overall feel of the answer in arriving at the mark. Do not repeat the words of the question at the beginning of an answer. Do not use the term etc. in any answer. The marker has no way of knowing whether the term masks a lack of detailed knowledge or is simply a way of saving time or even an assumption that what is not written is so obvious that it does not need stating. (It does even though it may seem obvious.) Do not refer the marker to an answer given elsewhere in the answer script as part of a completely different Question (for example see answer to Q1 when responding to Q3). However, within the answer(s) to the same main question you may cross refer (for example, see answer to Q1.a) when answering Q1.c). In general, however, if something that is written elsewhere seems to be relevant in another answer make sure that it is appropriate to do so; there may be a subtly different context or connotation. Additional Resources Syllabus A full and detailed syllabus for each qualification can be downloaded free of charge from the BCS website: Practitioner Software Asset Management Syllabus. ample Paper Direct Entry candidates can purchase a sample paper from BCS and this is written in exactly the same style and format as a live paper. The sample paper will also include marking guidelines so candidates are provided details on how to approach answering a question and some guidance on examination techniques. Candidates who take the course through a BCS Accredited Training Provider can obtain a copy at no cost directly from the Training Provider. Guidance on the Interpretation of Examination Questions Certain terms are frequently used by BCS when phrasing particular questions and the purpose of the table below is to provide guidance in what these terms are, how they should be interpreted and the way in which the answers can be best structured to address the questions. Copyright BCS 2011 Page 5 of 7

6 Terminology None of the questions should require any further examination. Those questions which use Who, How, Why, What and When should be easily understood. Candidates must ensure that their answers stick to the point of the questions (e.g. if the question asks what, do not go off at too much of a tangent and answer how. There are rules within this simple structure (e.g. if the question asked who the bulk of the marks will be for the rationale for the who chosen). Often terms are combined e.g. What and Why so candidates must ensure that both parts of the question are answered fully. Answering only one part of the question will automatically reduce the marks awarded by half. Term Example Answering the Question Describe Describe the role of a test manager. Describe how effective tools will benefit a company. The word describe can be used on its own or qualified in many ways e.g. describe how, describe when etc. Your answer should provide detail in narrative form, to demonstrate understanding of the topic being examined. Your answer must include some level of detail according to the marks on offer. A lot more detail is needed for a 20 mark question than Explain Discuss Compare Compare and Contrast Define Contrast Justify List Explain the value of a test strategy. Discuss the potential benefits and drawbacks of static analysis Compare the Classification Method to Equivalence Partitioning Compare and contrast walkthroughs with technical reviews Define the term risk based testing. Contrast specificationbased testing with structure-based testing Which 2 methods of estimation would be suitable in this project. Justify your answer. List 3 typical elements of a test policy one for an 8 mark question. Very similar to describe but the emphasis here is on clarification of specific points raised. is needed to clarify how this could be of value. This usually requires a balanced view of a topic to be given. This would include, where appropriate, the benefits and drawbacks of a particular idea Need to describe those areas where the two processes are similar in objectives, techniques etc. Need to cover both similarities and differences see the separate terms for examples of each. Here a precise definition is required. A full and descriptive definition which shows the marker that a candidate fully understands the term is necessary to be awarded full marks. Need to describe those areas where the two processes are different, i.e. in scale, impact and timescales. Candidates will need to set out the reasoning behind a particular view. This would normally include a description of benefits that may result, the likely scenario if the action is not taken and the positive financial implications. A simple numbered or bullet point list is needed. Copyright BCS 2011 Page 6 of 7

7 List and Describe Outline Identify the benefits Problems List and describe 3 elements of a test policy relevant to this scenario Create and outline test strategy showing 3 key headings relevant to this scenario. Candidates may be asked to identify the benefits of a process or activity What problems would be faced More is needed here than a simple list. Each point will need to be expanded upon to include details of exactly what will be achieved, how this will come about and any other relevant details. Similar to describe but in overview form. This term is also often used where the markers know that a very full answer could be given if there were no time constraints, but where a high level broad answer is sought in the limited time available. It can be better to cover a wide area in less detail than just a very narrow point or two in great depth. The positive outcomes of a particular activity. For example to an individual or an organisation. Problems are best broken down into cause and effect. Care should be exercised to identify which problems are being sought. Problems for implementing a process differ from problems of creating a process. Copyright BCS 2011 Page 7 of 7