The European Computer Driving Licence® is the first pan-European Union qualification in personal computing skills. It is designed specifically for those who wish to gain a qualification in computing to help them with their current job, to help them grow their skills and enhance career prospects or just for general interest.
Look at the ECDL UK web site.
Everyone undergoing training for the ECDL will require a Log Book which is used to maintain a formal record of their success in the various tests. It also provides a registration number for the qualification. The logbook is known overseas as the 'Skills Card'. YOUR TUTOR WILL ORDER THIS FOR YOU AS YOU NEAR COMPLETION OF THE FIRST ECDL UNIT. AS SOON AS YOU RECEIVE THE LOGBOOK IN THE POST YOU SHOULD LET YOUR TUTOR KNOW YOUR NUMBER AND EMAIL IT TO OUR EXAM CO-ORNINATOR.
ECDL tests can only be taken at a recognised centre, accredited by the British Computer Society (BCS) so there is an assured common standard of testing throughout the country. At Tribal Learning Centre, we will organise the tests for you at an accredited centre within a reasonable travelling distance to you. Please note: the time and place that you can take your tests may be restricted, as each test must have a formal ECDL invigilator supervising.
ONCE YOUR TUTOR HAS CONFIRMED THAT YOU ARE READY TO TAKE EACH TEST, PLEASE EMAIL OUR EXAM CO-ORDINATOR WHO WILL MAKE THE FORMAL BOOKING FOR YOU. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THIS PROCEDURE MAY COST YOU UNNECESSARY TIME AND EXPENSE.
There are two elements of the ECDL which necessarily involve a charge. These are the Logbook from BCS (£25) and the individual test fees which are charged by the accredited Testing Centres. TRIBAL LEARNING CENTRE WILL COVER THE COST OF YOUR LOG BOOK AND FIRST TEST ATTEMPT FOR EVERY ECDL MODULE. Should you need to re-sit, you will have to pay a re-test fee. Please enquire at the individual centre for details.
Please also see the note below with regards to the additional Unit E qualification, which is separate to your ECDL learning plan.
Newly accredited test centres will be expected to use version 4 immediately, which is the version you are using.
Each of the SEVEN MODULES IS ASSESSED BY A 45 MINUTE TEST. Some test centres use manual tests which are paper based and the tests are marked by members of staff. Other test centres use automated testing in which a computerised system automatically tests your IT skills and quickly provides a score. You will need to pass each of the seven module tests to gain the part 1 and part 2 qualification (see below). Tribal Learning Centre will make every effort to organise an automatic test, using a similar medium to the course materials you have been studying. If the centre nearest to you cannot support automated tests and uses a paper based version, we will inform you.
ECDL PART 1
MODULE 1 Basic concepts of IT
MODULE 2Using the computer and managing files
MODULE 7 Information and Communication
ECDL PART 2
MODULE 3 Word processing
MODULE 4 Spreadsheets
MODULE 5 Database
MODULE 6 Presentation
The pass marks for the Syllabus version 4 EXAMS are:
Modules 1>7 - 75%
PRACTICE EXAM TEST PAPERS
You can download some practice exam work from the ECDL site at:
http://www.ecdl.com/main/sample4.php
PLEASE REMEMBER TO INFORM YOUR TUTOR OF YOUR RESULT AS THEY LOVE TO KNOW YOU ARE DOING WELL. THE TEST CENTRE WILL ONLY INFORM US IF YOU FAIL.
There is an opportunity to re-sit a test if you fail. General feedback explaining where mistakes have occurred will be given to you with automated tests. However, manually marked test papers or printouts of automated tests solutions will not be handed back. PLEASE REMEMBER TO INFORM YOUR TUTOR OF YOUR RESULT SO THAT YOU CAN DISCUSS A PLAN OF REVISION BEFORE YOU ATTEMPT A RE-SIT.
Should you need to re-sit, you will have to pay a re-test fee. Please enquire at the individual centre for details.
There are no exemptions available for Syllabus version 4.
We have a policy which supports special needs arrangements. We are in the process of redeveloping the policies for Special Needs and ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) candidates. The new policy will be available to view on the BCS IT User web site in the near future. If you have any special requirements or anticipate any problems when taking your tests, please discuss this with your Tutor in the first instance.
When all seven modules are completed, the completed Log Book will be sent by the Test Centre to BCS (via recorded delivery), with a clear note of the name and address of the centre to which the certificate pack should be returned.
The certificate pack will include the completed log book and your ECDL certificate. Please note: there is one ECDL Course Certificate, not one for each module.
These cards are portable version of the ECDL certificate, to present at job interviews and to demonstrate your competency in IT. They were first issued in January 2003 and every ECDL graduate since then has been issued with one. At present, there are no plans to backdate to previous candidates.
Please return the certificate to us with details of the spelling mistake. We will then generate a replacement. There is no fee for this.
In the case of a damaged certificate you should return the certificate to the BCS along with personal details for dispatch (name and address). If a certificate is lost, either the centre or you should contact the BCS with the logbook number, name and address and a replacement certificate will be dispatched. An administration charge of £6.00 will be made.
When you have completed the qualification, ask the Test Centre Manager to send in your log book with a cover note and a copy of your marriage certificate. You may in the meantime put a reference note with your married name in your logbook. You must not cross out or use correcting fluid to alter details in your logbook.
When a student has passed all the tests or had valid exemptions recorded in their Log Book they can exchange their Log Book for an ECDL Certification which is proof of having reached the necessary standard. The completed Log Book must be sent to the BCS who will issue a personal, unique ECDL Certification. Your Testing centre will do this for you.