AAT has announced that it is working towards making remote invigilation for some of its assessments available from August 2020.

Assessments will be offered in a phased approach, and it explained it will also publish a revised synoptic schedule for impacted assessments in due course.

AAT is targeting the following assessments:

• Advanced Diploma in Accounting – Level 3.

• Financial Accounts Preparation (FAPR).

• Management Accounting: Costing (MMAC).

• Professional Diploma in Accounting – Level 4.

• Professional Diploma Synoptic Assessment (PDSY).

Other assessments will follow.

AAT said: “Unfortunately, not all assessments can be taken via remote invigilation for security reasons and we are continuing to investigate possible solutions where remote invigilation cannot work.”

ACCA

As ACCA has confirmed it will pilot remote exams for the Applied Skills papers, as well as AFM and SBL, from July.

The number for this first session is limited at 600 a day, as it wants to make sure the process runs as smoothly as possible.

We are working with ACCA to help students opting for July, so “they can support their students in the preparation, but also ensure they have the set up at home – ensuring the students runs the diagnostic test, prepare their room at home to meet the requirements, etc.”

The thinking behind this pilot, is that it will prepare ACCA to roll out more remote exams in September.

CIMA

Remote exams have been available for the CIMA Professional Qualification since the 4th May, and we have had a number of students sit and pass their exams - so far so good!!!

CIMA have created a FAQ page on their website, that contains all of the most recent information. You can access this page here: CIMA FAQs

Without wanting to state the obvious, sitting an exam remotely is going to be different to sitting in an exam hall. Therefore your preparation for these exams is going to have to alter slightly to reflect these changes.

Each Professional Body's remote exams are different, and you will need to make sure you are comfortable with both the technical and logistical requirements.

For example, if the remote exam system doesn't work on work VPNs, then you are going to need to find an alternative computer. And similarly, if the remote examination doesn't allow you to have a pen/paper with you, you are going to need to practice (your mocks etc) without a note pad - replicating the exam. Remember: practice makes permanent.

We have heard of students, asking their family to log into an online webinar with them, as they sit their tests and mock exams, just so they can get used to having someone watching them.

This is one thing I know we are all good at.

I am always seeing HTFT students helping each other, with bits of advice, support and encouragement.

We need, during these times, to do more of this.