Pearson VUE has entered into a 10-year partnership with the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) to transform their portfolio of professional-level exams from pen and paper to computer-based testing (CBT) with a January 2015 launch.
The new agreement heralds an updated syllabus and a major change in the way CIMA’s professional-level exams are delivered globally, incorporating the full range of services CBT-leaders Pearson VUE provides to help develop, manage, deliver and grow test programmes.
Over a year of work will have been spent on new test development by the time it is launched next year (2015), with experts from Pearson VUE’s psychometric and content development teams leading the transition.
Charles Tilley FCMA CGMA, chief executive, CIMA, says: “CIMA is committed to supporting the next generation of global finance leaders and ensuring that our members stay at the forefront of developments in the business world throughout their careers.
“When designing the 2015 syllabus, we set out to enhance its relevance to employers, to ensure the rigour of the related examinations and to align the learning experience of candidates to the real world of business. I feel we have succeeded in this.
“The fact that the 2015 syllabus is totally research-lead and informed by those on the front line of business, makes it a real piece of best practice for addressing the employability needs of both employers and students. With Pearson VUE and the revised syllabus, we are delivering a truly exceptional qualification to a global audience.”
“The length of the contract CIMA has signed with us underlines the confidence the CIMA team has in Pearson VUE to take their programmes forward and improve the experience and outcomes for accountancy candidates,”
The updated tests are more sophisticated, simulating the application of skills and competencies in real-world scenario case studies. They are split into operational, managerial and strategic levels, with three selective-answer tests at each level and a final case study exam with detailed long-answer responses to relevant working-life situations.
All tests will be available at over 5 100 global test centres. The selective-answer tests will be available on demand and the case studies available during quarterly three-week testing windows.
Pearson VUE will help design CIMA’s exams and will deliver the tests globally, along with providing an online solution for human marking, psychometric analysis of the assessment programme responses and providing a solution for managing question creation and banking.
Bob adds: “One of the advantages of computer-based testing is the ability to create new and different question types to test the learning outcomes. Learning outcomes themselves and sound test design are at the heart of this project.”
