A few days back, somewhere in these threads I floated the idea for computerized resits outside of UK. Though the idea is great for students but we need to be considerate while demanding such facilities in our respective coutries. There must be a lot of factors involved in reaching decision to provide computer based exams. These factors might include scale, availability of infrastructure, costs, controls etc. but I think with focused efforts this is quite achievable. With many of CIMA students being working professionals who haven't been into writing exams for last many years, it must be given due consideration. I would be ready to pay a premium for availing the facility and I am sure many other would be ready too. This would considerably increase exam performances worldwide, in my view.

Given so many factors involved, let us be fair and not judge CIMA for discrimination. But over time this an area that need to be paid attention to, given CIMA aspirations for becomign a truely global organization. How many of today's business use hand written communications in their day to day activities? Would be in a fraction of a percentage worldwide. It would surely be a very good idea to introduce computer based exams as this will be consistent with the actual work environment the student would have after they are employed. 

Hi again,

I would like to thank you all for sharing your views on this topic and I am happy to read that all of you have the same concerns as me.

Givemore, I think that the reasons for not widely offering the exams outside the UK are given by Aqeel. Lack of IT facilities, low demand, limited number of tuition providers to organise the exam etc. Fair enough.. this is reasonable! The problem, though, lies in that the re-sit exams are organised by accredited CIMA tuition providers (Kaplan, BPP, LSBF etc), the majority of which are located in the UK.

To my opinion, the above CIMA's policy is wrong. I suggest the below:

1) Computerised re-sit exams to be assigned by CIMA to external computer-based exam providers*. I am not quite sure if British Councils are currently offering computer-based exams, but I do know very well that various outsourced computer-based exam providers exist almost in every country.

* CPA USA exams are offered by prometric.com in this way all over the world.

2) The cost for this arrangment might be too high for CIMA. That is no problem: you just charge the student, either directly or through the exam provider, with an additional charge for those exams. Personally, I prefer to pay a high fee for these exams rather than paying for my tickets, my accomodation, local transportation and my study leave! 

3) If the above are impossible, at least, offer the exams in a geographically fairer way. For example, exams could be offered in Lebanon, a country that is easily and quikly accessible by plane by students around (Cyprus, Syria, Israel, Egypt etc). Similarly, re-sit exams in Serbia could attract students from Motenegro, Bulgaria, Turkey, Greece and other Balkans' countries.

Everyone getting involved in this post, let me know on possible next steps to forward our request to CIMA in a more official manner. 

Again, thank you for your comments!

Neo

Dear all

CIMA is continually reviewing its provision of exams for the benefit of all of our stakeholders, and has recently introduced the resit exams in March and September, intially on a limited pilot basis to ensure that these can be operated effectively. CIMA is looking to extend this provision as far as possible, and from March 2012 will be offering the Strategic level exams on PC globally where possible. We are also reviewing how we offer assessments (paper-based versus PC), and aim to extend the scope of the resit exams in future exam sessions.

I hope this information is useful.

Best wishes

Julia Harrison

CIMAsphere moderator

Can you share the list of countries/centres where exams on PC will be offered in March 2012? Is India in those countries?

If the list is not yet decided, when it willget finalized and how it will be communicated? When the offering is expected to cover all geographies?

An early decesion can help all. Thanks for your response.

Rakesh

Hi Julia,

 Thank you for your response. It's good to hear that CIMA is continually reviewing its exam provision and is now planning for further developments to meet the expectations of its students. 

However, I would like to comment on what you mentioned, that "... and from March 2012 will be offering the Strategic level exams on PC globally where possible". In my opinion, once CIMA offers the re-sit exam option in the UK (plus a few other countries on a selective basis), you need to offer this option everywhere in the world to avoid unfair treatment.

Let us ignore the cost of travelling to the UK for a moment and think of the exam performance of two students, one located in the UK and another located in a country, in which re-sit exams are not in place. Reasonably, the latter will be of a competitive disadvantage against the UK student due to the long trip, tiredness, and time lost to revise the exam. It is just unfair. 

Offering the re-sit exam globally is essential for CIMA given that it is an international accounting body (as CIMA promotes itself).

Recently, I requested CIMA to sit the re-sit exam in the Republic of Cyprus, where I am permanently located. In my country, there are only few CIMA active students (to my knowledge, around 10). Moreover, CIMA courses are not offered by a local tuition provider, to date. However, there is a local school, namely the Cyprus Institute of Marketing, which is recognised as a Listed Centre for CIMA qualifications in Cyprus (http://www.cima.ac.cy/index.php?link=internationalrecognitions.php).

When I made the request to CIMA, I reccomended to sit the re-sit exam at mentioned Institute, which is anyway recognised as an associate centre of CIMA. The response was negative but no further explanation was given. To my opinion, wherever there is an accredited institution by CIMA in the world, the re-sit option should be offered, no matter the number of students in the country. Again, the cost is not a problem. An additional charge imposed would solve the problem. Believe me, I would pay for whatever needed to avoid a trip of 5 hours and 1000 EUR to just sit an exam. 

Again, thank you Julia for your response and I will be looking forward to the new positive developments of CIMA for the upcoming March exams.

Rgrds,

Neo

Hi

It's one year now since I highlighted this and it is good to see that students are reacting now.

Now, compare how much time it takes to do a graph on pc and on paper for the same exam say T4 November 2011 exams?  Do examiners take that into consideration more particularly with T4 which is a time constrained paper?

Is a list available for students to know which countires/centrs are offered PC based exams? November 2011 results are already out and it is high time the list is out. Hopefully CIMA covers all the geographies/centres, the ideal way a truely global institute like CIMA should do.

Sorry Rebecca, I meant to say November 2011 results are about to be released.

Thanks for sharing the list, however disappointed to know that not a single centre in India offers Strategic Level Exams on PC.

Do CIMA plans some India Centres for May or August 2012? I contacted the people managing exam centre in Pune India (where I have sat all my exams), and they say they have required PC's and infrastructure to conduct exams on PC, but no one from CIMA has asked them to provide PC based exams. So, i would say, an action item on CIMA.

And, where can I see these updated centre lists on CIMA site OR is it only you who can provide us the listing of the centres?What is the frequency of updates?

Thanks for your response, You are consistantly the best contact for distance learning students, like me.

Rakesh

DOES CIMA UNDERSTAND OUR POSITION? ARE WE REALLY KEY PLAYERS!!!!  I wonder?

Rebecca, since when has the pilot scheme for re-sit been running?  To-date we do not notice much improvement. 

 Two SIMPLE AND CLEAR options are available.

 1. Re-sit on pc

2. Re-sit on paper. THIS IS ACHIEVABLE IN THE SHORT-TERM. 

 We are just appealing to a  CIMA, and are convinced that CIMA as a PROFESSIONAL BODY,  which taught us to be  FAIR to stakeholders...us... will give students EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES and find a prompt solution.