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The Society recognises two qualification levels for determining grades of membership, the lowest being Associate, the educational component of which is satisfied by gaining the ACS Diploma of Information Technology or equivalent qualification. |
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| 2. |
Examinations within the ACS Diploma of Information Technology are conducted in any country where there are candidates wishing to sit them. Examinations are prepared and marked by the ACS and, within Australia, invigilated by the ACS. Outside Australia, examinations are invigilated by organisations approved and supervised by the ACS. |
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| 3. |
A candidate for the ACS Diploma of Information Technology qualification is bound by the Regulations in force at the date of the first attempt at the qualification. From 1 January 2006 the ACS Diploma of Information Technology comprises eight subjects each assessed with a single three-hour summative examination: |
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Set I
Systems Analysis & Design
Programming
Computer Organisation
Data Management
Set II
Object Oriented Systems Development
Computer Communications
Professional Practice
System Principles
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| 4. |
a. |
Candidates may enrol in a maximum four subjects per offering and are advised to complete the first set of subjects before attempting the second set. |
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b. |
However, where there are subjects outstanding from the first set, candidates may complete the outstanding subjects at the same time as attempting subjects from the second set. |
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| 5. |
a. |
Formal completion of the ACS Diploma of Information Technology qualification is dependent on the successful completion of all eight subjects within a period of 36 months from the date of a candidate’s first examination. |
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b. |
However, under exceptional circumstances this period may be extended at the discretion of the ACS Principal & Chief Examiner and the ACS Academic Board. |
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c. |
The ACS will, upon provision of satisfactory evidence, recognise prior learning for any and all units of competence assessed within the ACS Diploma of Information Technology. However, to gain credit for a subject within the Diploma, which is to say, to avoid the requirement to complete a particular Diploma examination, a candidate must demonstrate prior learning in all units of competence assessed in the subject. |
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d. |
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i. |
Examinations completed prior to the introduction of the new syllabuses will not contribute to the ACS Diploma of Information Technology. This means that, to be eligible for the ACS Diploma of Information Technology, candidates must sit again examinations completed prior to 1 January 2006. |
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ii. |
For candidates who, in the 36 months prior to 1 January 2006, successfully completed some but not all eight ACS examinations, the ACS will assess without fee (ie. free of charge), and under the new syllabuses, those examinations successfully completed under the older syllabuses. |
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iii. |
Candidates who, over a 36 month period, successfully complete some examinations under the older syllabuses and some under the syllabuses introduced 1 January 2006, will receive recognition of their achievement in a manner equivalent to that provided prior to the introduction of the new syllabuses. |
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| 6. |
All examinations in the ACS Diploma of Information Technology qualification will be conducted three times each year on the last two weekends (ie. Saturday and Sunday) of February, June and October and/or at other times as determined by the ACS Principal & Chief Examiner to meet exceptional circumstances. The examinations will be held only at examination centres recognised by the ACS. |
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| 7. |
A prospective candidate for examinations in the ACS Diploma of Information Technology qualification should satisfy one of the following requirements: |
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- If an Australian resident, have completed Year 12 Australian education, or equivalent (eg. a one or two-year TAFE Certificate in Computing); or
- If an overseas resident, have passed four GCE "O" level subjects and one GCE "A" level subject (or equivalent) and be able to demonstrate a proficiency in English at a level equivalent to or greater than IELTS 5.5; or
- If a mature age person (aged over 22 years) who does not meet either of the requirements above, provide evidence of having completed at least three years relevant experience in computing as well as a capacity for advanced study plus, if an overseas resident, a proficiency in English at a level equivalent to or greater than IELTS 5.5.
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In addition, for any particular examination within the qualification a candidate is expected to have achieved the pre-requisite standards of competence defined within the units of competence for that examination. These units of competence are included within each subject syllabus. |
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| 8. |
Applications to sit for examinations in the ACS Diploma of Information Technology qualification must be submitted on the prescribed Examinations Application Form and accompanied by the examination fee (published separately) relevant at the time. The application form and examination fee must be received by the ACS Examinations Manager (or other person authorised by the ACS) at the address and by the date specified on the application form, usually not less than 6 weeks before the date of the examination. An earlier entry date is set for some overseas locations. |
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| 9. |
a. |
The examination fee is not refundable |
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b. |
However a candidate may, under special circumstances (such as sickness, injury or bereavement), defer sitting an examination. To defer an examination a request must be received, together with documentary evidence of the circumstances (e.g. doctor's certificate), by the ACS Examinations Manager no more than 30 days after the relevant examination date. A fee (published separately), covering the cost of assessing the request, must be submitted with the documentary evidence. Consecutive deferrals are not permitted. |
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| 10. |
The candidate will be sent the following items: |
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- By email - Confirmation of the receipt of an examination application, a copy of these Regulations, the Examination Rules and details of examination venue (approximately two weeks before an examination)
- By email - Examination results (no later than six weeks after an examination)
- By post - On successful completion of all relevant requirements, an ACS Diploma of Information Technology certificate (approximately 4 months after the final examination). Note that special arrengements may be made for presentation of parchment.
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No information regarding the results of an examination will be given to any person until all results are finalised and have been notified to all candidates. |
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| 11. |
Candidates may bring to examinations in the ACS Diploma of Information Technology qualification the following; pens, pencils and other writing and drawing equipment plus any paper-based materials either written or printed. Candidates must not bring to examinations electronic devices including but not limited to; calculators; notebook, handheld or PDA computers; mobile or cellular telephones; or other data storage and/or communications devices. |
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| 12. |
No requests or applications to remark examination papers will be entertained. Individual examinations will have the passing requirements specified on the examination cover sheet. |
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| 13. |
A candidate who gains the ACS Diploma of Information Technology qualification may apply to become (or be regraded as) a Provisional Associate of the Australian Computer Society. On completion of two years relevant computing experience, application may be made for reclassification to the grade of Associate |
Content approved 19 August 05
ACS Principal & Chief Examiner |
© 2005 Australian Computer Society
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Last updated:
20 December 2005
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