FAQ’s - General

1. Who is SmartScreen.co.uk suitable for?
2. How can I access the contents of the programs that I wish to study?
3. Are City & Guilds qualifications recognised?
4. When are the exams held?
5. Where are the exams held?
6. How does this system (on demand examination) benefit me?
7. What are the benefits to the examination centres?
8. Why choose us?
   
    

FAQ’s - International ESOL

1. My English is very weak. Do you think I can manage?
2. What are the exams that I should sit for if I am thinking of furthering my studies or if I need
   to prove to my employer that I have the necessary language qualifications?
3. Are the certificates recognised by overseas universities as language requirement for entrance
   or would I still need to sit for either TOEFL of IELTS?
4. What would I be tested on?
5. How different are your qualifications from IELTS and TOEFL?

 

FAQ’s - Computerised Accounts

1. Why should I use the support materials on smartscreen.co.uk?
2. How long will these assignments take me to complete?
3. Can I work independently on this course?
4. Will I need any extra help?
5. How will I know if my work is correct?
6. Do I need a knowledge of book-keeping to do the Computerised Accounts examination?

 

FAQ’s -  e-Quals IT User

1. How do I get the full award?
2. How will I be assessed?
3. How hard are the assignments?
4. How is the assignment marked?
5. Can I use my class notes or textbooks for the practical assignment?
6. What happens if the assignment is over more than one session?
7. Can I practice between assignment sessions?
8. What certification do I get?
9. Are all the online test the same?
10. What if I do not achieve a pass for the online test?
11. What grades are there for the online test?
12. If I re-take the online test is my final grade affected?
13. What if I fail the practical assignment?
14. The scheme of work has spaces for dates and candidates signatures. What is this for?
    
    
     

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FAQ’s - General

1. Who is SmartScreen.co.uk suitable for?
   It is suitable for everyone irregardless of age, sex, race, religion or learning ability. However, a basic comprehension of English is essential. No prior IT knowledge is necessary as it is designed to be user friendly (can refer to User Manual as well).
    
2. How can I access the contents of the programs that I wish to study?
   In order to access to the contents, you need to subscribe to SmartScreen.co.uk with a subscription fee of RM 5 yearly per qualification per level.
    
3. Are City & Guilds qualifications recognised?
   City & Guilds qualifications are known all over the world and are recognised by universities, employers and national education authorities in many countries.
    
4. When are the exams held?
   On demand examinations – 24 hours a days, 365 days a year. Centres are in control of timetabling and can hold examinations whenever required, with a notice for exams of six weeks.
    
5. Where are the exams held?
   Exams could be conducted anywhere, in-house or public places like hotels, as long as there is a minimum of 20 candidates at any time.
    
6. How does this system (on demand examination) benefit me?
   a) Simple system not reliant on IT skills
   b) Can easily move forward, back and change answers
   c) Free familiarization test (navigation) available anytime
   d) Faster or slower progression depending on ability
   e) Test when ready
   f) Instant provisional results – no post exam stress
   g) Swift resits if necessary – don’t have to wait for 6 months for next paper
    
7. What are the benefits to the examination centres?
   Besides on demand examination, it also provides:
   a) Instant provisional results
   b) Security – encrypted download, time lock and randomized
   c) Reduced administration – no storage, couriering or marking of papers
   d) Smoothed demand curves – no need for June/December exam time
   e) Mobile testing opportunities
    
8. Why choose us?
   As this is a Lifelong Learning Project, fees are kept to a minimum (RM 5 yearly per qualification per level for subscription fee and as low as RM 150 per qualification per level for examination fee, applicable for all except e-Quals IT User)

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FAQ’s –International ESOL

1. My English is very weak. Do you think I can manage?
   International English for Speakers of Other Languages (IESOL) can be taken by anyone whose first language is not English and are suitable for learners of all nationalities and of almost any age.
    
2. What are the exams that I should sit for if I am thinking of furthering my studies or if I need to prove to my employer that I have the necessary language qualifications?
   
   City & Guilds Pitman Qualification IESOL examinations are amongst the world's best known qualifications for learners of English, either as equivalent English language requirement for university entrance or as formal English language qualification in a job application.
   
   The examination are available at six levels namely:
   Level 6 : International ESOL Mastery
   Level 5 : International ESOL Expert
   Level 4 : International ESOL Communicator
   Level 3 : International ESOL Achiever
   Level 2 : International ESOL Access
   Level 1 : International ESOL Preliminary
   
   Each examination covers the three main language skills - listening, reading and writing - and assesses the ability to use a variety of structures and functions in authentic situations.
    
3. Are the certificates recognised by overseas universities as language requirement for entrance or would I still need to sit for either TOEFL of IELTS?
   In a world where English is increasingly important for work, leisure, and education, the City & Guilds Pitman qualifications awards are your ideal route to building your English language competency. Our qualifications are internationally recognised by employers, universities, and professional bodies. Universities in UK, North America and throughout the world accept the certificates awarded to successful candidates at Levels 5 and 6 as evidence of an adequate standard of English for admission to undergraduate and post graduate degree courses.
    
4. What would I be tested on?
   The examinations cover all the three language skills - listening, reading and writing. They include a range of tasks, which assess candidates ability to make practical use of the language.
    
5. How different are your qualifications from IELTS and TOEFL?
   Both IELTS and TOEFL have a validity period of two years. The City & Guilds Pitman Qualification IESOL Certificates have no expiry date.

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FAQ’s – Computerised Accounts

1. Why should I use the support materials on smartscreen.co.uk?
   There will be assignments (10 for Level 1 and 7 for Level 2) that will assist you to acquire the knowledge necessary to be successful in your examination.
   These assignments also include comprehensive self assessments to increase your awareness of good practice.
    
2. How long will these assignments take me to complete?
   If you are working independently and without supervision, it will take approximately 2-3 hours. You should use the tutorials at every stage.
    
3. Can I work independently on this course?
   Independent learning will suit you if, for example, you are unable to attend a regular class, perhaps due to shift work or child care commitments.
   You do however need to be directed and motivated to work on your own and it is best to set a schedule for your learning of a number of regular hours each week.
    
4. Will I need any extra help?
   This site includes very detailed tutorials in the assignment sections which, if read carefully, will direct you through the work and greatly improve your knowledge. Students will normally have read the very comprehensive worksheets in the assignment sections before beginning these assignments. You will have already studied the Level 1 syllabus before attempting this material.
    
5. How will I know if my work is correct?
   Answers are supplied in the assignment sections. You should check them thoroughly.
    
6. Do I need a knowledge of book-keeping to do the Computerised Accounts examination?
   Computerised Accounts is not simply an information technology examination, you will need a good knowledge of book-keeping to be successful.

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FAQ’s – e-Quals IT User

1. How do I get the full award?
   To obtain the Certificate, Diploma or Advanced Diploma, you must successfully complete the assessments for both mandatory and optional units. Each unit is individually certificated. When a candidate who has been registered for the full award completes all of the mandatory units, plus the requisite number of optional units, the City & Guilds awards system will automatically generate the full award.
    
2. How will I be assessed?
   You will be assessed through a combination of online multiple choice tests and practical assignments. The multiple-choice tests are designed to test your core subject knowledge, while the practical assignments are set test your practical abilities and knowledge.
    
3. How hard are the assignments?
   The assignments are not intended to be hard, they are based at the appropriate level of knowledge and only cover the unit content. The set assignments can be viewed under each unit section of this website or on www.e-quals.co.uk. You do not however have access to any of the marking criteria for the assignments.
    
4. How is the assignment marked?
   Your assignment is marked by your centre and externally verified by City & Guilds by means of sampling. Each Task that you perform in the assignment carries a mandatory or desirable mark. You must achieve all of the mandatory elements and the total number of desirable elements determine your final grading of PASS, CREDIT or DISTINCTION. You are not allowed sight of the marking criteria prior to feedback of your grade.
    
5. Can I use my class notes or textbooks for the practical assignment?
   You may use textbooks, manuals, help files and class notes that only show abbreviated examples of algorithms etc. You must not have access to fully worked answers from which you can copy the required code. Also, you cannot copy and paste code from previous work.
    
6. What happens if the assignment is over more than one session?
   All work and disks used for the assignment must be handed in to your assessor at the end of each session. They will be returned to you when you continue at the next session.
    
7. Can I practice between assignment sessions?
   All work and disks used for the assignment must be handed in to your assessor at the end of each session. There is nothing to stop you reading, practicing or researching solutions in the interim period, but you cannot use any solutions you produce when you continue with the assignment.
    
8. What certification do I get?
   Where an online test applies you will get a certificate on passing the test. This certificate carries the maximum grading of PASS. When you pass a practical assignment you will get a certificate with a grading of PASS, CREDIT or DISTINCTION. Where a unit has both an online and practical assessment, the practical assessment certificate will not be issued until the online test has been passed.
    
9. Are all the online test the same?
   No, every candidate taking a test at the same time should have a different set of questions as they are randomly selected from a bank of questions. If you fail a test then the next test could contain completely different questions.
    
10. What if I do not achieve a pass for the online test?
    Seven days must elapse and you can re-take the test. The questions are randomly selected from a bank of questions and you will not have the same paper so it is important that you revise the underpinning knowledge for the unit.
     
11. What grades are there for the online test?
    The online test only carries a grade of PASS.
     
12. If I re-take the online test is my final grade affected?
    No, because the maximum grade is only a PASS.
     
13. What if I fail the practical assignment?
    Seven days must elapse and you can re-take the same assignment. You must start the assignment afresh and cannot use any previously prepared work. The maximum grade that you can achieve under these circumstances is a PASS. If you opt to take a different assignment then you can achieve a grading of PASS, CREDIT or DISTINCTION.
     
14. The scheme of work has spaces for dates and candidates signatures. What is this for?
    It is for you to keep a track of your progress and to demonstrate that you are up to date with your learning. You are encouraged to complete the log. It does not however form part of your course assessment.