SecureAssess – computer based tests for AAT

Vanisha Modha AAT Tutor First Intuition – London

Glossary of terms

SecureAssess

A secure onscreen web delivery platform.

SecureClient

Restricts the candidate’s access to other software while taking an assessment by locking down the PC. Candidates are unable to run other applications, such as web browsers, whilst taking an assessment.

Keycode

The keycode uniquely identifies the candidate and the assessment they are to take. The candidate will need to have a keycode in order to log in to the assessment.

This guide explains the main benefits of running computer based tests (CBTs) for your centre and your candidates – an overview of the user experience and information on the SecureAssess platform.

AAT Accounting Qualification

The AAT Accounting Qualification is assessed using two types of computer based assessments (CBAs). These are computer based tests (CBTs) which are delivered through SecureAssess, and computer based projects (CBPs) which are delivered through the AAT LearnPlus platform.

AAT Access

Students will take one CBT for AAT Access, our Level 1 qualification which covers the core areas in business and accounting.

The development of CBTs has allowed us to meet student and centre demand by providing you with an innovative and flexible assessment system that gives you control of your assessment timetable.

AAT’s CBTs are easy to administer – everything is at the click of a button. As a centre, you have access to ‘SecureAssess’, the CBT management system, where you can schedule assessments and see your students’ results. SecureAssess links directly into AAT’s database and student records are updated immediately once an assessment has been sat. For human marked assessments, it can take up to six weeks before results become available.

AAT assessments

The SecureAssess system enhances the whole assessment process by allowing you to control and manage your candidates’ assessment experience.

It allows you to easily schedule and report on a candidates assessments whilst maintaining overall control.

SecureAssess presents you with a clean and clear interface so you can just log in and see only the features and information that are relevant to you, allowing you to start straight away.

You’ll be able to deliver assessments through a Local Area Network (LAN) if you prefer, so you don’t have to worry about the internet connection or the bandwidth usage if many candidates are sitting the assessment simultaneously.

You can deliver assessments on demand for individual candidates, or schedule large groups for assessments, without worrying about security issues or any hiccups.

To ensure we are giving you the best level of support, we have extended our hours of support so you can contact us during evening assessments via our telephone helpline.

Generate extra income for your centre

Your centre can also obtain extra income by taking external candidates for CBTs. To help you cover the cost of administering the assessments, you can charge a reasonable fee directly to external candidates for CBTs and even to your own candidates (if applicable).

You are only invoiced for the live CBTs sat by candidates. So you save the fee for absent candidates.

CBTs and your centre

Shiril PatelAAT student member

• You can set the timetable for CBTs.

• Central management of candidates’ assessments and results – options to pause, resume or void the assessments.

• Free automated performance feedback – topic level feedback for your candidates.

• Invigilation features – ability for assessment officer to set a PIN on assessments or manually unlock assessments.

• You can enter candidates on the day of the assessment, if needed.

• Roles-based system so users only see the features they need.

• Online and LAN delivery – you can use the method that works best for you.

• Support available including user guides, regular webinars, an extended telephone helpline and updates on aat.org.uk/cba

• Intuitive and straightforward interface.

Key benefits of CBTs for training providers

Carol Wing and Shanice Goodyear AAT student members

CBTs offer greater flexibility for candidates, as they can take assessments when they are ready.

The experience is safe, secure and reliable. On the day of the assessment, all the candidate needs to log in to their assessment is their keycode – the rest is controlled by the invigilator through SecureAssess.

As the assessments can be sat at any time, you can schedule your assessments to fit in with your teaching program. Students can also re-sit the CBT (if necessary) one week after their result becoming available.

Most CBTs are marked instantly by SecureAssess and candidates can get their provisional results right away. Others require both computer and human marking. Results for these CBTs will normally be available within six weeks and we will notify both you and your candidates by email.

Candidates will be able to access all of their assessment results through their MyAAT account.

CBTs and your candidates

Kate RobertsAAT student member

• Candidates give their answers using realistic ledgers and tables as they would in the workplace.

• All the candidate needs is their keycode to begin the assessment.

• Instant provisional result after completing the assessment (computer-marked CBTs only).

• Free automated performance feedback – topic level feedback to your candidates.

• Practice CBTs are available for candidates to familiarise themselves with the CBT environment. We will continue add additional practice material building a range of resources to help candidates prepare.

• Candidates can easily enter and amend their answers using the mouse and keyboard.

• Innovative and challenging, our CBT questions reflect practical tasks in the workplace.

• If there’s a problem with a candidate’s computer, they can move to another one, enter their keycode and resume from the same place with all their responses saved.

What does the candidate need to sit a CBT?

• AAT student membership number.

• The candidate should discuss with their tutor when they can take the assessment.

• Keycode, provided on the day, to access the assessment.

Key benefits of CBTs for candidates

Ethel Durrant AAT student member

Training provider registers candidate(s)

with AAT

Training provider prints the

invigilation pack

Candidate enterskeycode (provided

by the trainingprovider invigilator)

Training provider schedules

assessment datefor the candidate(s)

Training provider invigilates

candidate’sassessment

Training provider unlocks

assessment

Candidate views instructions and

takes assessment

Candidate receivesprovisional results from

training provider (computer marked assessments)

Candidate receives topic level performance

feedback fromtraining provider

Candidate(s) can access their results letter through their

MyAAT account

Candidate confirmsdetails (name,

student number,DOB, assessment)

Training provider and candidate experience

Interview with Cathy Littler, AAT tutor and Deputy Head Leadership & Business, Milton Keynes College.

Q Was it difficult to set up CBTs at your centre?

A I worked with our Exams Officer and IT department to get it set up using support from AAT. Everyone worked well together, clearing up any teething problems quickly.

Q How easy is it to use?

A Recently, two staff were given access to SecureAssess to facilitate feedback to students and they were able to use the system with minimal training.

Q What benefits do CBTs bring to training providers and students?

A CBTs are a vast improvement on paper exams. Instant marking and on demand assessments have revolutionised the teaching, allowing us to put students through one assessment at a time, re-sitting within weeks if students were deemed Not yet competent. The feedback is proving very helpful, informing teachers and students alike of strong and weak areas.

Q How many students have sat CBTs at your centre?

A Over 2,600 CBTs have been taken to date (practice and live).

Using CBTs – training provider feedback

Cathy Littler AAT Tutor Milton Keynes College

SecureAssess delivers 16 of the assessments on the AAT Accounting Qualification:

• Basic accounting I (BAI)

• Basic accounting II (BAII)

• Basic costing (BCCG)

• Accounts preparation I (API)

• Accounts preparation II (APII)

• Costs and revenues (CRS)

• Cash management (CMGT)

• Indirect tax (ITX)

• Professional ethics in accounting and finance (PEAF)

• Financial performance (FNPF)

• Budgeting (BGT)

• Financial statements (FNST)

• Credit management and control 1 (CRMC 1)

• Personal tax (PTX)

• Business tax (BTX)

• External auditing (EXA)

AAT Access

Students only need to take one CBT for AAT Access. This assessment covers the following units:

• Accounting in a professional environment

• Mathematics for accounting

• Creating business documents

• Essential accounting procedures

Assessments for the AAT Accounting Qualification and AAT Access

The information in this brochure is correct at the time of print – March 2012. Please regularly check the AAT website for updated information.

Simple set-up process

It is easy to set your centre up to be able to offer AAT’s CBTs – just a simple download and you will be ready to go.

The first step is to check your IT system meets the minimum specifications, and if so, simply request password access from AAT, and then download your administration guide from the AAT website.

There is no cost involved to download the SecureAssess software. Whilst the installation is simple, we would recommend that your IT staff at your centre install the SecureAssess software.

Hardware and software requirements

The minimum hardware requirements for the SecureClient are:

• 2.3GHz CPU or higher

• 1GB of RAM

• Graphics card with at least 64MB of memory

• Screen resolution of 1024 x 768

• 1GB of free space

• Two-button scroll mouse

The minimum software requirements/prerequisites for the SecureAssess are:

• Windows XP (SP3) or Windows Vista (32bit or 64bit) or Windows 7 (32bit or 64bit)

• Internet Explorer 7, 8 or 9

• Windows 2003 Server+

• Microsoft .NET Framework 3.0 (Service Pack 2 or later) +

• Adobe Flash Player 10.1, 10.2, 10.3

For full details or information on becoming a computer based assessment venue, email us at cba@aat.org.uk

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What you need to know

Any questions?

If you have any questions about computer based tests, please get in touch with us at cba@aat.org.uk or call the Centre Support helpline on +44 (0)20 7397 3012.

Cover image: Lee-anne McKeirnan and Arman HussainAAT Tutor and AAT student member

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