Examinations
Since the Chartered Director Programme came to Ireland candidates in the Dublin examinations have fared very well with significantly higher than average pass-rates and an exceptionally high number of Distinctions. Indeed Cohorts 7 and 8, who sat both their exams in 2011, managed to achieve five “Double Distinctions” – i.e. five people achieved Distinctions in both the Certificate and Diploma examinations.
Modules 1-5 are examined in a three hour examination comprising multiple choice questions. Forty-eight questions cover all these modules and are arranged in four Sections with twelve questions on each of
Section 1: The Role of the Director and the Board
Section 2: Finance for Non-Financial Directors
Section 3: The Director’s Role in Strategy and Marketing
Section 4: The Director’s Role in Leading the Organisation
To pass, a candidate must achieve at least 50% in each section. If unsuccessful in only one section but still achieving at least 50% overall, it is possible to re-sit that section alone. Successful completion of this examination leads to the award of a Certificate in Company Direction (designatory letters “Cert IoD”). A mark of 75% is usually needed for a Distinction.
Module 6 - Developing Board Performance precedes the Diploma examination. In that examination candidates are given two scenarios of c6 pages each. There are c4 questions requiring short written/bulletpoint answers on each scenario testing the candidate’s ability to analyse information, identify key issues and options for the way forward, and make specific recommendations, usually from a non-executive director’s perspective. The exam draws up the range of directorial skills and assumes the knowledge needed for the Certificate exam is present. In order to pass candidates must attain at least 50% overall and a minimum in each scenario of 40%. Successful completion of this examination leads to the award of a Diploma in Company Direction (designatory letters “Dip IoD”). A mark of 70% is usually needed for a Distinction.
Examinations are held in the Irish Management Institute in Dublin, the same venue as for course lectures.
Examples of Multiple Choice Questions
Examples of multiple choice questions on governance, finance and strategy which can be answered in a self-assessment manner can be accessed by clicking here. Please note these questions are somewhat simpler than those that appear in an actual Certificate exam.
Irish Law
Section 1 of the Certificate exam as held in Dublin is an “international version” and does not include UK or Irish Company Law – it does however include the UK Corporate Governance Code, which has been adopted by the ISEQ. For delegates’ general benefit however two short lectures are given by experts from Irish law firms during the course on Irish Company Law and Irish HR Law. These lectures take place on the second afternoon of the Role of the Company Director and the Board module and of the Directors Role in Leading the Organisation module. It should be noted that the Chartered Director Programme is not a legal course - it is a strategic course aimed at senior executives. Legal content is therefore minimal.
Exam Preparation Sessions
Tutor-led preparation sessions are held prior to the examinations. These are led by Peter Martin, IoD Ireland's Programme Director. Peter has successfully conducted examination preparation sessions in Northern Ireland since 2002, and in Dublin since 2009, and consistently achieves the top examination pass rate in the IoD exams. There is a one day session about four weeks prior to the Certificate exam and a half day session about four weeks before the Diploma exam, however at all the modules delegates are given some practice questions to give them a sense of what is ahead of them.
Online Support
There is a sophisticated online support facility providing optional additional resources and activities to underpin the Certificate content. This can be accessed by delegates shortly after they have attended the particular module. In the run-up to the exams additional online support becomes available – including practice questions that link into the reference notes that are provided for each Certificate topic.
