ECDL Candidate Appeals Procedure
1. ECDL Test Regulations
These are outlined at the start of the programme. Regulations are reinforced in the email that candidates receive before every test, and in the written test instructions that every candidate receives at the start of the test.
1.1 ECDL Tests can be taken during any advertised ECDL Testing session.
1.2 The candidate chooses the test and the session most suitable to them.
1.3 The candidate is able to cancel their test for any reason, up to 9am on the day of the test.
1.4 If a candidate fails a test on a specific module they can re-sit that test up to 3 times (candidates may not re-sit a test for the same module in the same day).
1.5 From 2012, candidates on the ECDL programme subsidised by the University are funded for a total of seven tests – one for each unit. Thereafter candidates have to provide funding for further tests (currently £10+VAT per test – November 2012). Candidates registered prior to 2012 will be funded for 10 tests, ie 3 resits, before payment is required.
1.6 When candidates join the ECDL programme, they are asked on their information form if they have any disability or special requirements that they would like to be taken into consideration. Some specialist equipment (eg induction loop) can be provided to cater for these requirements, and for some disabilities it is possible to arrange additional time to complete ECDL tests. If a candidate wishes any subsequent disability or special requirement to be taken into consideration they must inform the ECDL Centre Manager in writing at least 8 weeks before their next test.
1.7 Candidates have three years to complete the ECDL from the date of their first successful test. If a candidate fails complete within this three year period, no extensions can be made beyond this period.
2. Grounds for appeal
2.1 That there were procedural irregularities in the conduct of the test;
2.2 That there was a hardware/software fault in the testing environment;
2.3 That an ambiguous question (or questions) that you reported to the invigilator at the time of the test resulted in the difference between a fail and a pass;
2.4 That there were reasonable grounds for suspecting that the marking software was at fault.
3. Submission and Consideration of Appeals
3.1 Candidates who are unhappy with the conduct or result of their test are advised in the first instance to raise the matter with the invigilator immediately after the testing session.
3.2 If candidates wish to take the matter further they should then discuss the problem with the ECDL Test Centre Manager or ECDL Test Centre Representative within 5 working days of their test.
3.2.1 The reasons must be made clear by candidate at this time
3.2.2 The Test Centre will keep a record of such discussion together with date and outcome
3.2.3 If this does not provide satisfaction the candidate may raise a formal appeal.
3.3 Appeals will only be accepted if made in writing (not e-mail) to the ECDL Test Centre Manager within 10 working days of receiving the outcome of the discussion in section 3.2, outlining clearly the circumstance of the appeal.
3.4 If the ECDL Test Centre Manager is unable to resolve the impasse the candidate can then write, within 5 working days of being notified of the result in 3.3, to the Director of the Learner Support Services who will act as an independent arbiter.
3.5 If the candidate is still unhappy then he/she has the right to appeal to the BCS Awarding Body. This may be done via the ECDL Test Centre Manager or direct to the BCS ECDL Administrator in writing. Address to be supplied on request.
3.6 The BCS Representative will investigate the circumstances of the appeal and make a report to the Appeals Panel. In very exceptional cases, the Appeals Panel may request the ECDL Test Centre Manager possibly accompanied by the candidate, to attend a meeting of the panel to provide further explanation of the circumstances of the appeal.
3.7 Appeals panel decisions will be given in writing to the ECDL Test Centre Manager and the candidate and are final.