Entering for examinations

- Only registered students will be allowed to enter for the examinations.

- Examination entry forms are mailed to students before each examination or download forms from the website.

- Complete an examination entry form in full.

- Submit the form, together with the examination fee to the IAC by the closing date.

- Two weeks before the examination, the IAC posts admission forms to those who have entered for the examinations.

- The admission form indicates the subjects a student has entered for, the timetable and the full address of the examination venue.

- Students must take the admission form and identity document to the venue on the days they are writing.

Note:

. Students must ensure that the subjects to be written form part of their preliminary certificate Certificate or Diploma or Higher Certificate curriculum. If you are unsure, please consult your college or contact the nearest IAC office.

. Students may register for and write as many subjects as they wish provided they are no exam timetable clashes. No unscheduled examination will be allowed. Under no circumstances will scripts of Unscheduled examinations are marked.

. Students, who have not received their admission forms 7 days before the examination, should contact the office.

. Notify the IAC in writing as soon as you have changed your address .This will help us keep you informed and up-to-date. You have to complete the change of address form separately.

Cheating During Examinations

Should a candidate be found cheating at an examination, his or her entry to that session the session of examinations will be cancelled and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken by the Board of the IAC.

Cancellation of Examination Entries

Examination fees will not be refunded under any circumstances

Examinations may be transferred to the next exam session under the following

- Request for a cancellation of an exam entry must reach us no later than the stipulated closing date. Fees will be kept in credit in your account.

- An administrative fee will be charged.

You will be required to re-enter for your cancelled examination in the usual way by completing an exam entry form, ensuring that any difference in examination fees are paid.

Cancelling your exam entry after the examination will not be considered.

It is the student's responsibility to ensure exam re-registration for the following examination session is done.

Cheating During Examinations

Should a candidate be found cheating at an examination, his or her entry to that session the session of examinations will be cancelled and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken by the Board of the IAC.

Examination Venues

The IAC arranges for students to write at the listed venues.

Students are expected to travel to those venues to write examinations.

Special examination arrangements can be made for students with extraordinary needs, e.g. extra time. Medical evidence will be required. Request has to be made in writing along with your exam entry.

Private Invigilation

Students who live outside Zimbabwe or in prisons, may apply for private invigilation.

Contact the IAC to request a Private Invigilation Form.

Return the completed Private Invigilation Form (and fee) to the IAC, with the relevant examination entry form before the closing date.

The IAC reserves the right to accept or reject any nominated private invigilator.

In screening a nominated private invigilator, the IAC will insist that the invigilator has a reliable daytime telephone and fax number, and a street address that is acceptable for delivery by courier.

Private invigilators from the following categories could be suitable:

. Clergy

. Education

. HR Managers

. Embassy Personnel

. Commissioners of oath

. Prison Officers

NB Itis the student's responsibility to:

. Pay all costs of private invigilation, including any fees for the premises and Private invigilator's payment, as well as the postage fees.

. Ensure that the private invigilator returns the script to the IAC within 24 hrs of the last examination, by overnight courier. The IAC takes no responsibility for lost scripts.

The IAC reserves the right to withdraw the facility of private invigilation.

Foreign examination venues

The student must approach a Zimbabwean diplomatic mission representative (Embassy, High Commission, Consulate or Trade Commission)

Arrange for a letter or e-mail/fax to be sent to the IAC office, confirming that invigilation will be approved.

Any invigilation fees charged by a diplomatic representative MUST be paid by the Student concerned.

Examination results

The IAC employs professional experts as examiners and the moderator. Our policy is is that one of them must be a practising professional and the other an academic. Examination papers are edited and proof read by a team of language professionals who are experienced educators.

Students’ examination scripts are marked by examiners. They are then sent for moderation. After that, the IAC Examination Review Commission meets to review results for the examination session. Results are then released in three ways: in the form of printed lists for display at various examination centers, on individual results letters which are posted to examination candidates, and on the IAC Web Site (http://www.iac.co.zw). We aim to make the printed list and the Web Site results. Individual result letters are posted thereafter.

The decisions of the examiners, moderators and Examination Review Committee are final and the IAC will not enter into any communication regarding these results. Students who are not successful in examinations may request a failure report to assist in understanding how their examination answers were inadequate and to help them prepare to take the examination again (see section 10)

Preparing for Examinations

(A) Get the basics right

1) Study Environment

Create a study space, which will facilitate effective study: private and as quite as possible

Have a chair and large enough working surface available, as well as easy access to Study requirements: your textbooks, including a dictionary, files, writing materials, etc. Adequate lighting and ventilation are essential.

2) Planning Studies

Part-time study involves sacrifice: prepare for this and ensure co-operation of family friends and partner in securing freedom for regular study periods (with rest ). You know your examination date (s): use a year planner to break the syllabus down To manageable sections, setting targeted dates for the completion of each, and allow at least 3 weeks for revision.

3) Active, goal-orientation study

You know your ultimate goal: the diploma and Professional Membership of IAC, but set medium and short-term goals relating to study tasks (days/weeks) and revision before the examinations. Be specific and set priorities all noted on your year planner. Review your progress at monthly intervals and re-schedule targets if necessary.

Active study involves the following steps

a. Survey the study materials: a quick overview, picking up headings, diagrams and emphasized sections, identify main points to feel the section being studied.

b. Question points as you proceed: are they familiar, new, complex? Take notes

c. Read more thoroughly, taking notes for sections, which may require comparative reading; highlight important points and clarify questions previously noted.

d. Recite from memory (it may be necessary in the beginning to jot down points, filling in details from memory). Do this several times and make a written summary. Review what you have learnt in each section ideally twice within a 48-hour period.

Revision

Revise regularly by doing progress tests in your textbook, and work through past examinations papers, as well as Suggested Solutions where available.

Preparing for the Examinations:

. During the revision period avoid "burning the midnight oil’ be at optimum physical condition for the examination.

. Set a detailed revision programme for the last 3 weeks, allowing sufficient time for each subject being written.

. This will involve breaking each syllabus down for revision. Then do it concentrating on areas that you find difficult.

. Review the style of each examination paper so that you are not faced with surprises in the examination room.

. Have all the examination requirements ready (including travel arrangements) well in advance

Writing the examination:

Before you start writing:

Evaluate the general instructions:time allowed (usually 3hours), number of marks, instructions concerning compulsory (or alternative) questions.

Calculate the marks per minute rate: e.g. 100 marks for a 3hour paper allowing approximately 3 minutes of preparatory reading, 3 minutes per hour assessing questions and checking answers, and 3 minutes for a final check means roughly 11/2 marks per minute =15 minutes for a 10 mark question.

Decide on the questions required to be answered, note your start time, plan your first answer and start writing with confidence.

Essay-type answers

Presentation is all important: write to be read! The examiner has little time to mark each script and so must be able to read quickly. Ensure that the examiner can pick up every point you are making with: Neat, legible and interesting layout with short paragraphs, headings preferably numbered, list points, diagrams, underlining of important items.

Precise writing style: write naturally with short sentences, simple language (don't try to impress) giving facts and communicating your opinions where appropriate.

Pay attention to the instructions: 10-15 lines means just that in reasonably sized handwriting, 10 marks in a 3 hour paper means not more than 15 minutes.

Start with what you know best and answer only the questions that you have to do.

Answer within the limits of the question and follow the direction (Key) words like “list”, “discuss”, to the letter (see keywords below)

Completing multiple choice questions

Read the instruction very thoroughly.

The choice are designed to establish your understanding of the topic, so evaluate each optional answer carefully before electing the most appropriate answer and entering your response on the answer sheet.

Follow exactly the instructions concerning the handing-in of the answer sheet.

Keywords

The following tabulation will help candidates to understand what examiners expect of them.

TYPE OF QUESTION	KEYWORD	WHAT MUST BE DONE
Testing knowledge, recall of facts, concepts	Describe	List characteristics in a logical, detailed and well planned account of e.g. a procedure or theory
	List or name	Present a list of aspects, facts relevant to a specific category
	Summarise or state briefly	Give the essence of the matter i.e. state briefly the main points, elements, aspects or findings (details and examples)
Testing understanding of a subject and the	Define	Write a statement that gives precise meaning to a term or concept, an example could be given.
ability to explain or apply knowledge	Explain	A detailed account to make a subject clear; to ensure that the reader will understand by means of illustration, or description and using examples.
	State or Give	Present the information plainly without discussion.
	Identify or Show	Choose from a selection of facts or concepts the ones to illustrate a particular idea.
	Illustrate	Explain or make clear using well-chosen examples.
Testing the ability to analyze.	Analyse or examine	To break down the idea into separate parts or elements. Describe each and show how they are related and why they are important.
	Discuss	To examine or investigate by argument the various aspects of a statement, both for and against with a summing-up or conclusion. (Give only as much detail as is possible in the time allowed and observe any limiting terms in the question).
Testing the ability to synthesize i.e. bring facts or ideas	Plan	Take relevant information/concepts/ideas and bring them together to show how you would do or explain something.
together in the form of an essay	Write	An essay, report or letter is asked for, to achieve a particular objective; guidelines are usually given - ensure you follow these.
Testing the ability to make a judgment, draw a con­clusion, or to	Compare	Point out or show similarities or differences, or examine the differences between statements, ideas, theories, etc. End with a conclusion.
understand opposing points of view	Contrast or Differentiate	Show words in which things differ. End with a conclusion.
	Evaluate or interpret	Make an appraisal or express an opinion in terms of known criteria. This must come after a detailed discussion and flow logically
	Comment	To give a personal opinion on a subject. Again, there must be a discussion of points e.g. for and against from which the opinion should logically flow.
	Criticize	Point out good/bad points and judge as a critic after weighing facts, characteristics or stand points.