Assessment is central to the quality of any educational program. It involves gathering evidence and making judgments on whether a person has achieved the competencies or learning outcomes of a course or subject/module of study.

All students who successfully complete their assessments and all other course or subject/module requirements will be issued with the appropriate award or qualification.

How Assessment will Occur

Although the details of the assessment may vary, in general each subject/module of study will contain at least two assessment tasks or events consisting of :

• A mid-subject/module assessment event constructed in a form and conducted in a manner appropriate to the topic. Mid-subject/module assessments may consist of online multiple-choice exams, participative case studies, written assignments or other forms of assessment as appropriate.
• An end-of-subject/module assessment consisting of a combination of tasks which may include, but is not restricted to :
  • problem and theory questions
  • multiple-choice questions
  • scenarios requiring short answer responses
  • case studies requiring short answer or essay style responses.
• There are 4 categories of Assessments. Please ensure you understand the category you will be assessed under]:

A. Those undertaking course as an accredited University Elective in Masters Degree Programs:

Marks Awarded

1.   45% = Learning Assignments (completed individually or in groups)

2.    55% = Final Examination (individually only)

(One 3-hour open book paper set by the University)

[It is a course requirement in University subjects accredited by the ICMA that a student must obtain a pass grade overall with at least 50% (i.e. 27.5/55) of the grade given in the final exam. If the final exam grade is below 50%, that final exam grade only will be the student’s overall grade, and would result in a Fail in the subject.]

B. Those undertaking course at an ICMA Recognised Provider Institution, and examined by the ICMA:

Marks Awarded

1.  0% =  Learning Assignments (done for feedback purposes only)

2.   100% = Final Examination (individually only)

(One 3-hour open book paper set by the Institute of Certified Management Accountants) 

[Here a student must obtain a 50% pass grade to pass the unit, and it will be the only means of assessment. Students obtaining less that 50% in the final exam would Fail the subject.]

C. Those undertaking course at an ICMA Recognised Provider Institution, with over 10-years of managerial experience:

Students can elect to undertake either a final examination only (then see B above) or undertake Learning Assignments and a Final examination (as detailed below).

Marks Awarded

1.  50% = Learning Assignments (individually only)

2.  50% = Final Examination (individually only)

(One 3-hour open book paper set by the University)

[Here a student must obtain a pass grade overall with at least 40% (i.e. 20/50) of the grade given in the final exam. If the final exam grade is below 50%, that final exam grade only will be the student’s overall grade, and would result in a Fail in the subject.]

D. Those undertaking course in On-Line mode:

Students completing the course in On-Line mode will be assessed based only on the final examination, which must be undertaken EVEN IF the student has more that 10-years of relevant experience.

Marks Awarded

1.   0% = Learning Assignments (done for feedback purposes only)

2.   100% = Final Examination (individually only)

(One 3-hour open book paper set by the Institute of Certified Management Accountants)

[Here a student must obtain a 50% pass grade to pass the unit, and it will be the only means of assessment. Students obtaining less that 50% in the final exam would Fail the subject.]

Information on the type of assessment and the weighting of each assessment component of exams for specific subject/modules is contained in the subject/module outlines on the ICMA website (http://www.cmawebline.org).

How Assessment Tasks and Events are Designed

Assessment tasks and events are designed :

• in consultation with Industry Reference Groups and Subject Task Forces, comprising experts in the particular subject field
• with input from adult learning and assessment professionals
• to reflect the integration and application of skills and knowledge required for the competencies or learning outcomes being assessed.

Types of assessment tasks

Assignments

Assignments test your ability to apply concepts in a practical way and generally require a considerable amount of research. The length and nature of each assignment varies according to the module or subject learning outcomes. Guidance on completing assignments is provided in the study notes.

On completion of the assignment, the marker or assessor will provide individual or group feedback (where applicable) with the return of the assignment to the student.

Examinations

Examinations test your knowledge of the study material, generally under open- book conditions. You should refer to your individual subject/module information in your subject room for specific examination conditions.

An examination timetable is based on two examination periods per year (usually) in May and November. It is expected that students will complete a course schedule at a particular location at least one month before exams. It is your responsibility, as a student, to ensure that you are available for all examinations. It is not possible to sit for an examination at any time or date other than that scheduled by the Institute.

If you live in an Australian mainland capital city you will sit your examination in that city. If you are a distance education student outside these cities, you will need to complete an Independent Exam Supervisor Nomination form available below. Ensure you complete and submit the Exam Supervisor Nomination form at least one month prior to the examination date.

Download Independent Exam Supervision Nomination Form here

You will also need to arrange for a suitable venue and a local supervisor for the examination. Alternatively, you can sit your examination in one of the capital city locations as long as you advise the Institute, in writing, of your intention do so. Independent Exam Supervisor Nomination forms must be submitted by the due date for each study period.

Further information for distance education students is available on the Institute's website.