On top of studying hard for your exams, you need to make sure you’re prepared to enter the (virtual) exam venue. To ensure that you start exams season on the right foot, we’ll break down the ICB online exam rules.
ICB Online Exams
Since the pandemic, online exams have become the popular choice for the ICB. They have even added more exam dates to make sure everyone gets a chance to write virtually. So go ahead and make sure your computer meets all the technical requirements so you can write the ICB online exam stress-free.
ICB Online Exam Rules
The ICB online exam rules are there to make sure all students write their exams in a fair environment. They need to ensure that those writing from home are treated the same as the students writing in-person. So check out what you need to do to become exam-ready:
1. Arrival and Start of the Exam
Before you’re even allowed to set foot in the virtual exam room, your PoE must be completed. Once this is taken care of, and exam day comes around, you’ll need to:
- Log in 30 minutes before the exam starts
- Complete the exam in three hours and 30 minutes (the timer can’t be paused)
2. Proof of Identity
Think you can ask your friend to take your exam for you? Well think again. During the online exam, you’ll be asked to show your photo identity document.
3. Late Arrivals
If you’re running late, you have 30 minutes after your exam has started to log in. Trying to log in later than this will be impossible, because all access will be automatically locked.
4. Starting Issues
Should you experience a system failure that prevents you from starting the exam on time, you or your training provider should get in touch with the ICB to solve the problem.
5. Technical Issues
Technology is great, but sometimes it can let us down. To prevent this from happening, you should check that your computer or laptop has the minimum technical requirements. But if you still find yourself struggling, here’s what to do:
- If the connection drops, try to reconnect immediately. Try to be as quick as possible because you are still under a time limit, and no extra time will be given.
- Contact the ICB to log your issue.
- If there is no way to get back on track with the exam, you must fill in an application to postpone within 48 hours.
6. Books and Materials
You are not allowed to have any books, manuals, manuscripts or papers with you unless they’ve been authorised by the ICB beforehand. The material you’re allowed to have will be listed in the examiner’s instructions.
7. Calculator
Good news, no need to make those tough calculations in your mind! Students may use scientific or basic pocket calculators. Financial calculators, or any other calculator that allows you to install programmes or information on it before the exam, is not acceptable.
8. Blank Paper/Workings
Nothing beats making rough drafts with pen and paper before typing out the final answer. So during your exam, you’ll be allowed to use a sheet to do your calculations. Keep in mind:
- You can have a single sheet of paper, no notebooks are allowed.
- The sheet must be completely blank, no prior notes should be on it.
Please note: Your hand and eye movements will be monitored. If you’re constantly looking down or flipping through your papers too much, you will be flagged.
9. Sharing Items
You may not share or pass information or any material such as books or sheets of paper to other students during the exam. You may not message other students online either.
10. Leaving the Room
If you’re writing online exams on your campus, the physical exam venue rules apply. This means:
- When you leave the room you must be accompanied by an invigilator.
- You may not leave the room in the first 30 minutes after the exam starts.
- If you leave without permission, you’re not allowed to return.
Check out the rules for leaving with or without permission:
With permission
Curious about those much-needed bathroom breaks? We’ve got you covered. The ICB recommends that you don’t take too many breaks. This is because you have limited time for your exams, but these breaks could also be considered suspicious.
NB: DO NOT close your exam tab or shut down your PC when going to the bathroom.
Without permission
If you want to leave the exam and not return, you can just log out. You don’t need to ask for permission.
11. Communication
You may not communicate with anyone except the ICB support team. This is probably one of the most important ICB online exam rules you need to follow.
12. Exam Paper
You will be asked to perform security checks before writing your paper. All pre-exam sections, such as your system checks and PoE should be 100% complete to unlock access to the exam. So if you’re struggling to unlock your exam, this could be why.
13. Exam Completion
After three-and-a-half hours, the exam will be closed. This means that your work will be submitted automatically, whether you’ve finished or not. So make sure that your time management skills are up to scratch so you finish the exam on time.
14. Camera Position
Your camera should be switched on and placed right in front of you. Your entire face and shoulders should be visible.
15. Exam Room
Besides having a quiet room, there are a few other requirements for your at-home, make-shift exam venue:
- The room should be well-lit so invigilators can see you clearly.
- You should be the only test-taker in the room. So if you thought about inviting your classmates over to your house so you can write together, know that this is forbidden.
16. Other Forbidden Actions
To make sure you are all set for the exam, there are just a few more rules to take note of. You may not:
- Wear headgear such as hats, beanies, headphones or earphones
- Leave or close the tab your exam is in
- Use a second screen
- Copy and paste from outside of the exam
- Use a tablet, cellphone or landline (unless you need to call the ICB support team)
- Close, disconnect, or cover your camera
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Get Exam-Ready With us
Still looking for an ICB training provider? Look no further than our distance learning college. You can study ICB Courses with us, from the comfort of your home! To get started, please reach out to our course experts. You can:
- Call us on: 0800 39 00 27 – It’s free!
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