Exams Process
Registering
ECDL and ICDL home learners can study for any ECDL or ICDL qualification (Start, Core and Advanced) for as long as they wish without registering but must register with the awarding body, before taking their first exam. For the Start, Core and Advanced registration it is advisable to register 10-14 days prior to your desired exam date. To register, home learners must simply contact their local ECDL or ICDL test centre (please see information below).
Test Centres
There are literary 1000's of ECDL and ICDL test centres worldwide, simply visit your country of residences ECDL or ICDL website and contact them regarding local test centres in your area:
For a complete ECDL and ICDL 148 countries listing, please select the Worldwide Authorities link.
Certifications
The ECDL and ICDL qualifications have various ability levels to choose from with Start, Core, Advanced and Expert Certification available, making it flexible and cost effective for learners and employers needs.
ECDL Start and ICDL Start Certification
To be eligible for the Start certification learners must pass any four of the seven Core modules of the ECDL or ICDL qualification (and decide to go no further with the remaining modules at that point). The Start certificate does not indicate that the learner has completed all the required seven modules needed to gain the full ECDL or ICDL Core certification. Learners can continue to study for the full ECDL or ICDL at any point after receiving the Start Certification (as long as they pass all seven modules within a three year time period, which starts at their first exam pass). Each module is tested either by online automated test software or manually marked by a trained professional, both testing methods require that all module exams must be taken in an authorised ECDL or ICDL testing centre.
ECDL Core and ICDL Core Certification
To be eligible for the Core certification learners must pass all seven Core modules which are, I.T Security, IT User Fundamentals, Web Browsing and Communication (implemented during 2009/2010), Word-Processing, Spreadsheets, Database and Presentations before being awarded the full ECDL or ICDL Core certification. Each Core module is tested either by online automated test software or manually marked by a trained professional, both testing methods require that all module exams must be taken in an authorised ECDL or ICDL testing centre.
ECDL Advanced and ICDL Advanced Certification
To be eligible for the Advanced certification learners must pass any one of the following four Advanced modules, Word-Processing, Spreadsheets, Databases and Presentation. Advanced modules are assessed in a one-hour test and generally consist of 20 questions with a required 75% pass mark. All Advanced exams are marked independently, thus it can take a timescale of up to two weeks to receive the results. Successful learners will receive their Advanced certificate for each completed module. Learners who do choose to complete all four advanced modules successfully will be awarded with the new ECDL Expert or ICDL Expert certification. For more information on course material available for the ECDL Advanced and ICDL Advanced Certification please select our ECDL Advanced and ICDL Advanced Course List.
ECDL Expert and ICDL Expert Certification
To be eligible for the Expert certification learners must pass all four of the following four Advanced modules, Word-Processing, Spreadsheets, Databases and Presentation. This Expert certificate recognises a learner as a proficient computer user with a comprehensive knowledge and skill level in computer applications, and someone who has gained a degree of intuition in their use. The ECDL Expert and ICDL Expert certificates can be claimed for FREE. Additionally as an ECDL Expert (UK only) you will be eligible to become an Associate Member of BCS and be able to put the letters AMBCS after your name. For further information please visit BCS ECDL Expert website.
Log Book and Skills Card Guidelines
For ECDL and ICDL Core and Start (not required for Advanced module learners) certifications, learners are required to register for a Log Book, also known as a Skills Card prior to taking their first exam. Each log book/skills card has a unique number, which will become the candidate's registration number for all their future exams (only successful tests will be recorded within the log book/skills card). It is advisable that home learners contact their local ECDL or ICDL testing centre at least a 10-14 days prior to taking their first module test so they can complete their registration paperwork and get assigned the necessary log book/skills card.
Different forms of identification are a prerequisite to be shown before a log book/skills card can be issued, in general the ID needed is a passport and one or two forms of address (utility, tax bill etc…) ID. It is advisable home learners contact their local ECDL or ICDL test centre for log book/skills card ID requirements as they may vary. Once learners have received a log book/skills card, they are responsible for bringing it to each exam they attend (if attending the same centre for all exams the centre may hold the log book/skills card for the learner in a secure area), learners will not be permitted to take an exam without a log book/skills card.
Special Needs Provision
Candidates with special needs may qualify for extra time or additional resources to take the exams. To apply for special needs provision learners need to contact their local ECDL or ICDL testing centre. It can take up to 20 working days to complete a special needs application, so learners are advised to contact their local testing centre as soon as possible.
Time Limit
The Core ECDL and ICDL qualification has a three year time limit to pass all required seven modules. The time limit starts on the date you pass your first ECDL or ICDL module exam (not the date on which you register with a testing centre or if you fail the fist test taken), this gives home learners the opportunity to study without the worry of rushing through the qualification. If a learner fails to gain all seven modules within the three year time limit, they may be eligible for the ECDL or ICDL Start Certification, please contact your local testing centre for more information.
The ECDL Advanced and ICDL Advanced qualifications have separate certification for all four (Word-Processing, Spreadsheets, Databases and Presentations) modules therefore doesn’t incur a time period.
Testing Types
There are two different types of testing available for the ECDL and ICDL qualification, these are manual and automated. In manual testing candidates receive a module test paper, and work files which they edit and modify on the PC as required. Accredited ECDL and ICDL testers mark the tests and issue the results (usually within a one week period). In automated testing, test centres use approved ECDL and ICDL automated testing software. Candidates undertake a module test on a PC, which then automatically assesses the learner’s performance, and provides immediate pass or fail feedback to both the testing centre and the candidate. Please contact you local ECDL or ICDL testing centre for more information.
Exam Structure
ECDL Core and ICDL Core modules can be taken in any order; the pass mark for all each core module is 75% and all exams are set for 45 minutes (question and marks range depending on module and test version). Only successful test results are recorded in the learners ECDL or ICDL log book/skills card.
ECDL Advanced and ICDL Advanced modules are set as separate certification, therefore only the advanced module or modules a candidate requires need to be successful passed to gain a qualification. Candidates who require more than one advanced module certification can take them in any order, the pass mark for all each advanced module is 75% and all exams are set for 1 hour (all exams consist of 20 questions and each question is worth 5 marks).
Failing
Unlike many other popular qualifications ECDL and ICDL learners who fail module tests are allowed to retake different versions (usually four in general circulation) of the same module. A time period of 24 hours is usually set before a learner can retake their failed module. Learners are encouraged to assess their weaker areas and gain the required knowledge via course materials to pass, prior to their second attempt. For more information on course material available for the ECDL and ICDL please select our ECDL Course List and ICDL Course List.
Exam Costs
Learners will need to pay a fee to sit each ECDL Core or ICDL Core module exam (some companies will reimburse you with a training allowance, please consult your HR manager if applicable), exam fees can vary, please contact your local ECDL or ICDL testing centre for a price guide.
ECDL Advanced and ICDL Advanced learners will need to pay a fee of around £65 - £75 (these fees vary from country to country, so please contact your local testing centre for a more specific pricing range) to sit each advanced module exam (some companies will reimburse you with a training allowance, please consult your HR manager if applicable).
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Exams Process
Good value for money. I would recommend it to potential learners.
