How does the certification examination for CPSA-F (Foundation Level) work?
The actual CPSA-F examination consists of a multiple-choice test of approx. 75 minutes in which you will be required to answer roughly 40 questions (as the number of points allocated to individual questions varies and questions are randomized, the exact number of questions can vary, depending on which questions are drawn). You will be awarded points for every correct answer, and you will need to achieve 60% of the examination’s maximum possible points score in order to pass.
Candidates usually attend licensed training courses in order to prepare for this examination, but in terms of formal requirements you could also complete the examination without having taken part in any training.
The examination will be carried out by a licensed certification body – which will also be in charge of assessment and necessary formalities. This organization will then provide you with your examination result, usually within a week of completion of the examination, and also your official CPSA-F certificate if you have passed the examination.
Are there different examination conditions for non-native speakers?
In case the examination language is not your mother tongue, the duration of the examination can be extended to 90 minutes (net). Please indicate this when registering with the certification body.
What is the difference between a certification body and a training provider?
The iSAQB has stipulated that there be a formal and organizational separation between training course providers and certification bodies – hence these two different roles. Training course providers offer training, courses, workshops in order to prepare you for the CPSA-F examination for instance, or your CPSA-A examination project.
Certification bodies organize the CPSA-F and CPSA-A examination – but must not offer any training or seminars in this area themselves.
What should I consider regarding credit points?
The credit points can be revaluated by the iSAQB every 12 months. If you plan your training measures over some years you should consider this, in case you focus mostly on the number of points for the individual seminars. This revaluation can apply to the number of points as well as to the distribution to the areas of competence. It is possible that credit points are no longer rewarded for one of the three competence areas, so you would have to cover this competence area with another seminar. However, there have only been very few changes so far.
