Completing a pre-check before your Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB) online exams ensures that everything runs smoothly on the big day. To make sure you are good to go, ICB has created a system check to help you pick up any issues before you sit down to write your finals. Doing this check also removes some of the stress you might have about exam season.
How Do I Perform A Pre-Exam Systems Check Before My ICB Online Exam?
To do the pre-exam systems check, all you have to do is log into MACCI. You will find the systems check in section C. This activity is available as soon as you book your first exam. You must do the pre-check on the computer or laptop you will be using to write the exam.
How Do I Find The Technical Systems Check On MACCI?
If you are struggling to find the technical systems check, follow the instructions below:
- Log into MACCI using the latest version of Google Chrome.
- Choose the Portfolio of Evidence (PoE) for the subject you booked an exam for.
- Go down to Section C (this is where all your exam prep is).
- You will find four activities you must complete before the online exam:
- Exam prep and instructions.
- Setup and information about exam day.
- Technical systems check.
- Online exam prep quiz.
5. Once you complete all the activities, you must follow the instructions in the technical systems check.
Why Should I Do A Pre-Exams Systems Check?
Everyone who writes the ICB online exam must do a systems check. ICB (and you) must ensure that you meet all the requirements to write your exam successfully. Your exam will be invigilated via live streaming, so there must be no connectivity issues. You must pass the pre-exam system check to be allowed to enter the virtual exam room.
What Does The Pre-Exam System Check Look For?
The pre-check makes sure that:
- Your mic and camera work and all permissions are set to ‘allowed’.
- Your camera can record images.
- You have an internet connection.
- Your device has the ability to live stream a recording.
What Does The System Check NOT Look For?
The systems check cannot detect the following:
- If you have the right network connectivity and good internet speed.
- Whether you have enough data for the entire three-hour exam.
How Many Times Can I Perform The Systems Check?
You can do a pre-check before your ICB online exams as many times as you want, especially on the morning before the exam. But you should also be sure to do it at least once before your PoE completion deadline, as it forms part of the requirements.
What Happens If You Cannot Run The Check Before The Exam?
If you cannot do the pre-check on the computer you will use for the exam, you must fill in an indemnity form and send it to ICB. This is only for special circumstances.
What Happens If I Have Issues During The ICB Systems Check?
To pass the systems check, all the ticks have to be green. If it is not, here’s what to do:
Webcam And Microphone Issues
This section checks that your mic and camera are connected and that ICB has permission to use them throughout your exam. If there are issues with this part, ensure that:
- Your mic and camera permissions are allowed.
- You should also check that the mic actually works and is connected (especially if it is a USB mic).
Webcam Image Not Showing
If your device fails this check, it could be because your webcam is covered, not on, not connected, or the camera is not detected (if you use a USB-connected camera). Ensure that:
- All camera permissions are allowed.
- There must be enough light in your room.
- The camera must be facing you.
- Your USB camera should be connected properly.
Network Connection Issues
This test checks how fast your internet speed is. The reason for any issues here could be that your download or upload speed is insufficient or is experiencing a lag. You can address this issue by:
- Doing a speed test to make sure you meet ICB’s network requirements. You can do this by typing ‘speed test’ into Google and then clicking ‘run speed test’.
- If you are using Wi-Fi, connect your computer to the router using a network cable.
- If you switched from a wireless to a fixed line, please restart your device.
- Ensure that your device is using the right form of connectivity, a fixed line is best.
Streaming Webcam And Desktop Issues
This check ensures your computer can stream with the connection you are using. If your device fails this test, it means there are problems with your connection and latency. Latency is the time between the live event and your computer capturing the event. To fix this, you can try the same solutions you would use for network connection issues.
What Are The ICB Online Exam Technical Requirements?
To have a smooth exam experience, there are a few technical requirements you have to follow. This includes:
- Internet connection requirements
- Hardware requirements
- Software requirements
Internet Connection
Your internet connection must be stable. Most importantly, you must be using a fixed line connection with ADSL/FIBRE/DSL network and 5Mbps line speed. This means:
- A Wi-Fi connection is not recommended.
- Mobile data, including LTE is not allowed.
- You should have a connection where your computer is connected to the router directly.
- At least 3-5 GB of data for the entire exam.
- A minimum of 5Mbps download speed per person. You can check with your internet service provider to see what your download speed is.
Hardware
The hardware refers to the requirements for the device you are using.
- You must use a laptop or desktop. No cell phones or tablets are allowed.
- Your laptop must be fully charged.
- No headphones, unless it is the only working mic you have.
- Only one screen can be used.
- Your webcam must have a 1280×720 resolution.
- You need at least 4GB of RAM.
- You can only use a basic or scientific calculator, no financial calculators are allowed.
Software
Software refers to the programmes you need to run your computer. For the exam, you must have:
- Windows 8 or 10 OR Mac OSX Sierra
- Use Google Chrome.
- Adobe Scan is the recommended scanning app.
- MS Office – Word, Excel, PowerPoint
These conditions are there for your own benefit. By booking an online exam, it means you agree to meet all the requirements. But if you face technical issues on exam day and you are unable to finish writing, you may apply for a no-charge postponement
Now that you know what you need for the ICB online exam, you can start preparing for exam season. If you need more information, check out a few of our other ICB exam-related articles:
How Do ICB Online Exams Work?
You can write the online exam from home, at the office or with your training provider. You just need to make sure your space allows you to follow the ICB online exam rules.
How Do I Book An ICB Exam?
If you are a classroom-based student, your college will enter you for exams on your behalf. Distance learning students on the other hand, are allowed to book their own exams. Simply follow these steps:
- Make sure your annual registration fee is paid.
- Log into the ICB Student Portal.
- Click ‘enter assessment’.
- Choose the subject you want to book an exam for.
- Pick your exam venue from the drop-down list.
- Click on ‘search for available assessments’.
- Choose an exam date that works for you.
- Click on ‘add to basket’.
- Check your basket, and if you’re happy click ‘checkout’.
- Submit the exam booking.
- Pay the exam fees.
How Must I Contact ICB During The Online Exam?
If you experience any issues during the ICB online exam, there is no need to panic. There are ICB support agents to help you. You can message them on the ChatBox available on MACCI. Please note that this chatbox will only pop up during the exam.
How Are Online Exams Invigilated?
The exams are invigilated through your webcam. The special technology also tracks your eye movements and ensures that you do not open any new tabs and use them to cheat. This is why it is so important to do a pre-check before your ICB online exams. If your device fails this system check you will not be allowed to write, because ICB will have no way of monitoring your actions.
What Happens If You Fail An ICB Exam?
If you do not pass an ICB exam, you are allowed to rewrite it. You have to book a new exam date. If this date is still in the same academic year, you do not have to complete a new PoE (unless you want to).
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Frequently Asked Questions
There are four ICB Courses you can study:
Yes, online exams can detect cheating through your webcam. Cheating is a serious offence. If you are caught, the consequences could affect your future. If ICB suspects you have cheated, your case will be referred to the Academic Board. You will not receive your exam results until their decision is finalised. The Board could decide to:
- Let you off with a warning.
- Expel you from ICB.
- Ask you to pay a fine of up to R5000 to cover the costs of the disciplinary hearing.
Please refer to the ICB exam policy for more information.
In order to pass your ICB exam, you need to get at least 50%.
No, there are no ICB past exam papers. ICB prides itself on students learning up-to-date information, so they update their syllabus each year. This means that ICB does not have past papers because its contents are outdated.
The ICB student portal is a website you can use to manage your studies with ICB. You can use it to:
- Register for an ICB Course.
- Check your exam results.
- Update your personal information.
- Change training providers.
- And much more.
MACCI is the online portal you must use to complete your Portfolio of Evidence (PoE). Make sure to log in using Google Chrome, or else you will not have access to all the sections.
All ICB policies are available online. Make sure to read through them carefully so that you know what is expected of you before you sit down to write your finals.
