Business & Computing Examinations (BCE)

This is the number assigned to learners by their Centre. You can leave it blank. It just helps in case BCE tries to contact a Centre for a particular learner (if there is a student number, it is easy for the Centre to identify the particular student).

5. What is a Candidate Name on BCE Answer-sheet?

This is your full name [first name(s) and surname] e.g. Mary Joyce Smith

6. What is a programme Title on BCE Answer-sheet?

This is the course name e.g. Level 3 Certificate in Information Systems; Level 5 Diploma in Information Technology; Level 4 Certificate in Business Studies & Internet Technology; Level 5 Diploma in Computerised Accounting etc.

7. What is a Unit Title on BCE Answer-sheet?

This is the unit/subject name e.g. Introduction to Computers; Business Maths; Economics; Accounting Principles; Network Fundamentals etc.

8. What is a Paper Number on BCE Answer-sheet?

Each exam unit/subject has a paper number e.g. Paper 1; Paper 2; Paper 3; Paper 4; Paper 5 etc. as listed on exam timetable.

9. What happens if I fail 1 or more units?

You will have to re-sit the failed units. You can re-sit one unit at a time or all of them at once. If candidates fail one or more units on re-sitting, they receive a result slip stating the passed and failed units applying to the current re-sitting (previous passed units will be marked as N/A). If candidates receive a lower mark in the current re-sit than the previous mark, the older higher mark is retained and a comment with a † or * symbol explaining that the previous mark is retained.

10. Will my previous failed marks be included after passing my re-sits?

When candidates re-sit examinations and finally pass all units including coursework, they will receive a single result slip combining all passed units and grades obtained.

11. What happens if my Results have an incorrect candidate name?

As of December 2013, BCE transfer names entered on CMF004 Candidate Exam No Request Form. If Centre made a mistake in copying candidate name, they will be responsible for replacement cost. However, if the name tallies to what the candidate wrote on the Candidate Examination Registration Form, the Centre will not be responsible, hence a fee of £25 will apply to candidate.

12. How many times can I re-sit an Exam?

You can re-sit an exam as many times, until you pass all Units in a programme.

13. What do I get if I do not pass all units?

You can only get an exam result slip which shows the units you passed and failed. Only those who pass all units including the project/coursework can receive a Certificate.

14. When should I complete the Candidate Examination Registration form?

As you as you pay the examination fee, candidates should complete the Candidate Examination Registration form

15. How often are exams given in a year?

BCE Examinations are in April, August and December each year.

16. How do I submit my project/coursework?

All projects/coursework are handed in to Centre Administration. You are not required to send or email your project/coursework directly to BCE. This is because, projects/coursework have a deadline date and to maintain consistency and proficiency, all candidates are required to hand coursework by the stated deadline.

17. Why does honesty in examinations matter to BCE?

BCE examinations are well-respected and widely recognised educational credentials, used by many learners to help them gain employment and access further education. Cheating is absolutely unacceptable, as it undermines the integrity of the programmes. It distorts legitimate measures of a learner’s achievements, leading to inaccurate reporting and disadvantages to other learners.

18a. How do I pay my exam fees?

All exam fees is paid directly to the Centre. If you prefer to pay directly to BCE, you can contact us by emailing on info@bcexam.com and we provide the bank details.

18b. How doHow does learner/Centre know BCE has received payment?

Can always confirm with BCE if not sure full payment has been received.

19. What are other programmes related charges offered by BCE?

The list for BCE Exam Fees is available on the website. All other charges are clearly indicated in BCE Invoicing Policy.

20. Can I sit for BCE Examinations if I haven't taken any studies at a BCE Approved Centre?

No, you have to have a BCE Approved Centre where you can register for a full/part time study or distance learning. You can not deal directly with BCE, it has to be via Centre.

21. I want to study for a BCE programme and I have a disability. Are there any arrangements to accommodate my disability?

BCE recognise its responsibilities as an awarding body for individuals with learning difficulties or disabilities. In implementing the Reasonable Adjustment and Special Consideration Policy, BCE aims to ensure that no learner is treated less favourably than others on the grounds of such difficulties or disabilities.

22. What is the average it takes to undertake a BCE programme?

All units developed for the have a credit level and credit value. The level signifies the scope of challenge or difficulty and the value indicates the amount of ‘notional’ learning time required, on average, for a learner to achieve a unit. In most cases, Centres show the credit value in terms of months or years.

23. How much time does it take to complete an Exam? (How long are BCE written examinations?) and what is the format of BCE Examination Questions?

Level 3 and 4 Certificate Examination: A 2-hour written examination paper with Section A and Section B. Section A has 40 multiple choice questions. Section B has three essay questions, each carrying 20 marks. Candidates are required to answer all questions. There is coursework for each unit. The final coursework mark is the average of all coursework combined (coursework for each unit in that particular programme).
Level 5 Diploma Examination: A 2½-hour essay written examination paper with 5 questions, each carrying 20 marks. Candidates are required to answer all questions. There is coursework for each unit. The final coursework mark is the average of all coursework combined (coursework for each unit in that particular programme).
Level 6 Diploma Examination: A 3-hour essay written examination paper with 5 questions, each carrying 20 marks. Candidates are required to answer all questions. There is coursework for each unit. The final coursework mark is the average of all coursework combined (coursework for each unit in that particular programme).

24. Can I be exempted?

BCE can exempt learners from sitting units they are already qualified. However, decision solely lies with BCE, hence Centres and candidates should not assume exemption. Learners who seek exemption should forward their credentials well in advance. Exemption approval will be given by BCE in writing. [see BCE Exemption Policy for more information].

25. What is the difference between Exam Fee Deadline Date and Late Entry Deadline Date?

Exam Fee Deadline Date: The latest acceptable date for candidates to pay their Examination fees. This is the latest acceptable date Centres have to prepare the candidate list so that they email it [the list]; the following morning to BCE at: info@bcexam.com.
Late Entry Deadline Date: Final chance given to candidates who missed the deadline date but still want to sit for examinations. HOWEVER, A CHARGE OF £25 APPLIES on top of the normal examination fee.

26. Who do I contact to report suspected cheating?

You contact your Centre Management or you can report directly to BCE on admin@bcexam.com.

27. What happens if I lose or damage my BCE certificate/exam slip?

Candidates who lose or damage certificates can apply for replacement. For a damaged result slip or certificate, the original certificate and exam slip should be sent to BCE in London through the Centres. Candidates are requested to complete the Certificate Replacement Form.

28. Can I have a name change?

We do not provide replacement result slip or certificates for name change services.

29. What happens if I make a fraudulent claim?

Making fraudulent claims for certification is a criminal offence. Learners can be suspended from taking BCE assessments.

30. Can I bring something to eat or drink on exam day?

You are not permitted to bring food or drink, including bottled water, into the exam room (unless they have been approved as an accommodation for Candidates with Disabilities).

31. What happens if I decide not to write all units that I have paid for?

BCE examination fees all in one covers for all units, however if candidates decide they want to sit for 1, 2 or 3 units at a time, they pay £25 per unit. If candidates pay the examination fees for sitting all units at once and then decide not to, they lose their money and will have to pay again to sit again.

32. When should I arrive for my exams?

Candidates are required to arrive at the exam venue 30 to 45 minutes before the start of the exam. No candidate can be admitted to an examination later than one hour after the beginning of the examination. A candidate who arrives late will not be given extra time, except in exceptional circumstances outside his/her control.

33. When can I leave the exam room?

No candidate will be permitted to leave earlier than 1 hour after the beginning of the examination nor within 15 minutes of the end of the examination.

34. Can I take my examination question after the exam?

No Examination materials may be removed from the examination room by a candidate. BCE advice Centres to collect and keep all exam question papers to enable future learners access to past papers.

35. What am I allowed to take in the exam room?

Candidates are required to leave all personal items in the designated areas at the beginning of the examination. Possession of a mobile phone, books, notes or any electronic device (with the exception of permitted calculators) is strictly prohibited.

36. What are the requirements for completing project/coursework?

Coursework is submitted in electronic form (on CD, DVD or flash drive); do not print. Minimum number of words per unit are as follows:
Level 3/4 Certificate 500 words
Level 5 Diploma 1,000 to 1,500 words
Level 6 Diploma 3,000 words
However, candidates can produce more words if they so wish, the above are minimum requirements.
Candidates who copy from the internet/books or submit identical work will get a zero mark.

37. What are the grading for BCE examination marks?

Grade Mark
Distinction >=80%
Merit >=65%
Pass >=50%
Fail <50%

38. How long does it take for the examination results to come out?

Exam results take about 6 to 8 weeks to be released and are then forwarded to BCE Centres. We do not publish results on the website, however, we notify Centres and Candidates when exams have been dispatched, by displaying a marquee message on BCE website homepage.

39. How do I know if my Centre is authorised to run BCE programmes?

All Centres are issued with a BCE Accreditation/Approval Certificate which they should display. If you are not sure, you can always seek clarification by emailing BCE on admin@bcexam.com

40. What happens if BCE changes/withdraws a programme before I had a chance to sit for the exams or pass all my re-sits?

When a programme is changed/withdrawn, Centres are given a grace period of about 2 years to ensure previous learners have time to sit for all units. BCE also puts a notice on the website stating the deadline date for programme withdrawal.

41. Why do learners cheat and what are the consequences?

Some learners cheat because they are under pressure. They can be under pressure because they have not organised their time and feel they have to take shortcuts to meet the examination requirements. Others are under pressure because they are trying to achieve unrealistic academic goals. Some cheat because they don’t understand the seriousness of what they are doing and tell themselves it does not matter. Some learners cheat accidentally because they do not understand plagiarism. Cheating in examinations has serious consequences. Learners receive zero marks for their examinations. Once the Centre finds out a candidate cheated, they are supposed to inform BCE immediately. Apart from anything else, if a candidate is caught cheating; they are likely to lose the trust and respect of their fellow learners. BCE treats cheating in written examinations and coursework very seriously and take measures to deal with candidates who are caught. Depending on the circumstances of the case, one or more of the following apply:

• Zero marks will be awarded for part or all of the examination
• Candidates may be suspended and may not be allowed to sit for further BCE examinations for a given period.

42. How do Centres Apply for BCE Accreditation?

Centres interested in offering BCE programmes should email BCE at info@bcexam.com

43. How do I access BCE syllabus and Examination Timetable?

BCE syllabus for each programme unit is listed on BCE website; including exam timetable for the whole year. Centres or learners who have trouble in downloading syllabus, exam timetable or any other information should email BCE at info@bcexam.com.