Candidates sitting the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia (AACA) National Examination Paper in 2018 will complete it on a computer and receive comprehensive feedback on their performance.
These updates are part of a number of changes to the exam process announced by the AACA, following a review.
The content of the exam – benchmarked against the National Standard of Competency for Architects – will remain the same, with the changes focused on improving the method of assessment and the exam process.
AACA CEO Kate Doyle said the revised examination paper would be in line with best practice assessment of professional knowledge in other professions.
“The formatting of questions to allow each answer to attract marks, removal of penalties for incorrect answers, and introduction of feedback showing each candidate how they performed both in relation to the exam cohort as a whole and to each question means improved consistency and transparency,” she said.
The Architectural Practice Examination is a competency-based assessment used by architect registration boards around Australia to determine eligibility for registration as an architect. It is divided into three parts, with candidates required to complete a logbook and statement of practical experience, the National Examination Paper and an examination by interview.
With the support of the registration boards, the AACA commissioned the Australian Council for Educational Research to conduct a review focusing on Part Two of the Architectural Practice Examination, the National Examination Paper, in 2017. The other two parts of the examination process will remain the same.
The National Examination Paper for 2018 is a 70-minute closed book exam consisting of nine “scenarios.” Each scenario comprises five multiple choice questions with each multiple choice question having four possible responses with one correct response.
The key changes to the examination paper in 2018 are:
- The exam is now computer-based
- with a total of 45 questions, the 2018 paper has more assessable items than previous years
- negative marking has been removed, with each multiple choice question worth one mark and incorrect answers receiving zero marks
- all candidates will receive feedback with their results based on the performance criteria.
The National Examination Paper is conducted by the registration boards in test centres nominated by the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia in each state and territory.
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