With the ICB examinations coming up in July, students are starting to prepare for their test dates. To make sure that students are properly prepared, Bellview has created a 10 point exam checklist for students to ensure that they are ready for their ICB examinations.
1. Exam Registration and Application
In order to write your ICB examinations, you will need to:
- Ensure that you are registered as an ICB learner by submitting learner details form
- Apply for examination entry before the closing date
- Ensure that your registration fee is paid
- Ensure that your assessment fees are paid
You will not be able to write your ICB examinations if you have not completed your student registration and payments. You can make use of the ICB Student Portal for an in-depth guide that contains all the necessary information regarding registration and payments.
To access the ICB Student Portal, you simply need to enter your login details.
2. Know Your Exam Dates
After registration, you will need to make sure that you know when your exam dates are scheduled. You can find all the ICB test and examination dates here: ICB Exam Timetable – ICB Exam Venues – ICB Exams – ICB. This also includes the dates on which your examination results will be published.
You should also check your exam centres before you write. Make sure that you set enough time aside so that you do not arrive late.
3. Take A Look At How Final Marks Are Calculated
Your final ICB course mark is made up of:
- 30% – assignments and tests completed throughout your course
- 70% – your final ICB examinations
Regardless of your overall mark, you will need a minimum of 50% for your final examination to pass your course. ICB assignments and tests are crucial as they will help you to prepare for the final examination.
In order to receive a passing grade for your course, you will need to obtain 60% overall (including the minimum examination grade of 50%).
4. Proper Study Preparation
It goes without saying that exam preparation is key in acing your exams. Some good study practices include:
- Space your work-out over short periods of time – you will not retain as much information if you try to cram all of your work within one or two study sessions
- Set study session goals to make sure that you are achieving something each time you learn. This will also help you to feel confident in your knowledge
- Create a study schedule to ensure that you will have enough time to prepare for each topic. Be sure to include regular breaks
- Practice some past exam papers to get an idea of what will be expected during your exam
5. Bring The Correct Documentation
Once you arrive at your exam location, be sure to check that you receive the right booklet. You will also need to bring your PoE (Portfolio of Evidence) to your exam venue. If you have any queries or questions regarding this, you can simply raise your hand and talk to one of the invigilators.
6. PoE – Portfolio Of Evidence
Your Portfolio of Evidence (PoE) is a compilation of previous assessment documents. This portfolio acts as proof that you have completed and understood a specific topic. Before each ICB subject exam, you will be sent a PoE workbook. You must complete the workbook and bring it with you to your examination venue.
Your PoE will be marked alongside your examinations and counts towards your final mark. Your PoE will be complete once your final exam paper is added to it at the end of your course. It is a good idea to make a copy of your PoE in case something happens to the original.
7. Follow Your PoE Administration Booklet
Once you receive your PoE, there will be an Administration Booklet included. This booklet tells you exactly how to compile your PoE and which documents you will need to add.
If your PoE is incomplete, you might fail your subject. This crucial portfolio can determine whether you pass or have to redo your subject, so be sure to follow the booklet instructions.
8. How To Present Answers For Maximum Marks
In order to achieve the best marks possible, your answers should have the correct form, length, and depth. The general rule is to answer questions in short, clear sentences. Answer length will, however, depend on the instructional verbs used in the question.
Here are some examples of expected ways to answer certain questions:
- ‘List points’ – Bullet points of key concepts are adequate
- ‘Give a brief description’ – short and concise sentences are required
- ‘Explain’ – A more detailed answer that fully covers the key points of the topic is required
Depending on the mark allocation, each key point will normally get you a mark. If you are required to analyse or evaluate a point, you will usually get some of your marks from developing a logic and coherent answer.
9. Manage Your Time
Time management is extremely important during an examination. Spending too much time on one question you are struggling with will give you much less time to focus on questions you do know how to answer.
It is a good idea to determine the allocated time for each mark. Three-hour exams will give you 1.8 minutes to answer one mark. Two hour exams will give you 1.33 minutes to answer one mark.
This is a rough guideline for time allocation – sometimes you can answer questions fairly quickly, which makes up for the time you will spend on longer questions.
Try to refrain from making the following time-consuming mistakes:
- Trying to correct a mistake and spending too much time doing so
- Trying to write down all of their knowledge for a shorter question
- Struggling with a question and wasting time trying to get something down
If you are prone to facing these struggles, you can follow this advice:
- If you realise that you have made a calculation error in a financial statement, mark your error and return to it if you have enough time. Sometimes markers will work with your mistake and mark later calculations based on the error, so you may gain marks even if you did not get every number correct
- Check the mark allocation. If you are required to give a certain number of points as your answer, even though you know there are more points you can give, do not write more than one additional answer
- If you are struggling with certain requirements or content, leave a space open in your answer book and move on to the next questions. You can always go back later if you have the time, instead of missing questions that you feel more confident about
10. Stay Calm, Don’t Panic
More students struggle with examinations because they panic, not necessarily because they do not know their study material.
Try not to discuss work with other students once you have arrived at your exam centre as you might get confused, start stressing over small comments, or worry that you have not learned as much as other students.
It is normal to feel unsure about your knowledge before an exam, once you receive your paper, it will refresh your knowledge.
Sit down comfortably where you will not focus on other students and take a few deep breaths. You can only give it your best effort, and if you do fail, you can simply try again in three months. It is not the end of the world, but rather an extra learning opportunity.
Do You Want To Study With ICB?
Bellview Institute of Distance Learning offers fully accredited and recognised ICB courses:
Business Management: ICB NQF 4-NQF 6
- Small Business Financial Management: ICB National Certificate
- Office Administration – Business Management: ICB Higher Certificate
- Financial Accounting – Business Management: ICB National Diploma
Office Administration: ICB NQF 4-NQF 6
- Office Administration: ICB National Certificate
- Office Administration: ICB Higher Certificate
- Office Administration: ICB National Diploma
Bookkeeping and Accounting: ICB NQF 3-NQF 6
- Bookkeeping: ICB National Certificate
- Bookkeeping: ICB FET Certificate
- Certified Financial Accounting: ICB National Diploma
- Technical Financial Accounting: ICB National Diploma
You can get started by contacting one of our course specialists or filling in our online application form.
Frequently Asked Questions
You will need an overall course mark of 60% in order to pass your ICB course. This includes getting a minimum of 50% for your final exam.
ICB students can register for their ICB exams by going to the ICB Student Portal and filling in their login details.
If you need to cancel a booked ICB exam, you must complete your cancellation form and submit all the required information.
Students must contact the college they are completing their ICB course through to request a postponement. Once the ICB receives this information, they will manually process your request and send the new approved exam date to your college.
The ICB offers accredited qualifications in the field of Financial Accounting, Office Administration, and Business Management. These qualifications are recognised internationally, so you can use your certificate or diploma to find work anywhere in the world.
The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers is the biggest reputable bookkeeping institution in the world.
The average monthly salary for an Accountant in South Africa ranges between R23 500 and R36 600.
Yes, all ICB qualifications are recognised internationally.
Yes, ICB courses are fully accredited. All training providers for ICB courses are registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). This ensures that you will receive quality learning and that your qualifications are fully accredited and recognised.
The average monthly salary of a Bookkeeper in South Africa is between R14 600 and R22 400.
Author: Karla Nortier
Editor: Connor Bergsma
Date Published: May 25, 2022