From Term 3 2009, changes will be implemented to the technical modules of the Chartered Accountants Program aimed at reducing complexity in the assessment mix, reducing candidate workload in the Extension Project and strengthening the focus on exam preparation.

To ensure the ongoing rigour and relevance of the Chartered Accountants Program, the Institute’s Education Board commissioned a review of the Program’s assessment strategy in December 2008. This review, supported by the Institute’s Board, was conducted by an external educational expert and based on three overarching principles:

1. To meet the standards and expectations of members and the profession, and to serve the public interest, by ensuring all assessment is secure, rigorous and equitable
2. To meet best practice testing methods for objective, valid and reliable assessments
3. To further strengthen the Institute’s equivalence with international benchmarks

At the completion of the review, the Educational Board considered a range of recommendations relating to the assessment framework and determined the following changes.

New assessment framework – technical modules

The new assessment framework has three requirements for each module: a Project (marked out of 20); a final examination (marked out of 80); and attendance at four focus sessions (no marks).

To pass the module, candidates must meet these three requirements as follows:

1. Pass the exam by achieving a minimum of 40 marks out of 80
2. Pass the module by achieving 50 marks overall (the combined Project and exam mark) and;
3. Attend four focus sessions.

The changes will improve security and remove complexity thereby streamlining the assessment process. The changes will not make it more difficult for candidates to pass the exam or the module.

They will benefit candidates who will be able to direct their resources and time to the core requirements and, with their employers, have more control in planning for the demands of post graduate study.

For more information on the changes to the technical module assessment, please read the FAQ document.