Syllabus Version 5.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is ICDL Syllabus Version 5.0?

2. Why was Syllabus 5.0 developed?

3. What is new in Syllabus 5.0?

4. Who developed Syllabus 5.0?

5. Will the certification based on Syllabus 4.0 remain valid after

launching Syllabus 5.0?

6. How does the new Syllabus 5.0 affect the current Skills Card?

7. When will Syllabus 4.0 be phased out?

8. What if Candidates have already passed tests for some modules of

Syllabus 4.0 and are about to take tests for other modules soon?

9. Can Syllabus 4.0 tests be used as primer tests once Syllabus 5.0 is in

use?

10. When will automated tests be ready?

11. When do centers start offering ICDL testing in Syllabus 5.0?

12. How long is the Transition Period?

13. Are primer tests available for Syllabus 5.0?

14. Must already ICDL Approved trainers and testers attend special
training to offer Syllabus 5.0?

Syllabus Version 5 FAQ 2009

 15. How do I prepare to introduce Syllabus 5.0 in my centre?

16. What are the implications for an existing Test centre?

Syllabus Version 5 FAQ 2009

 1. What is ICDL Syllabus Version 5.0?

ICDL Syllabus Version 5.0 (Syllabus 5.0) is a revision of the ICDL Core Syllabus which
reflects the ongoing advances in technologies and relevant practices. It lists the skills that
must be mastered and the knowledge that must be attained for a Candidate to receive the
ICDL Core certification.

For more information on the changes in the Syllabus, please review the Frequently Asked
Questions in this document. In addition, an overview of changes document (‘Syllabus
Version 5.0 Overview of Changes’) is available to download.

2. Why was Syllabus 5.0 developed?

The main principles underlying the revision of the Syllabus were the need to accommodate
technological advancements in today’s fast developing ICT world, improve Syllabus 4.0
definitions and add new structures.

3. What is new in Syllabus 5.0?

The essential structure of seven (7) modules remains. New areas accommodated include
understanding key features of personal devices and new communication technologies.
Accessibility was an important consideration in developing the Syllabus with assistive
technology being addressed, and plain language being used in both the Syllabus and the
tests. The main changes in Syllabus 5.0 are:

Technological change: Syllabus 5.0 reflects the uses of new applications and devices. It
covers innovations in mobile computing and considers new areas in communications (e.g.
Voice over IP) and new media (e.g. podcasting). Syllabus 5.0 also provides answers on
how to manage newly emerged security threats, such as ‘phishing’ and ‘spy ware’.

Enhancement: Good practice items that address generally accepted ways of approaching
particular tasks have been added to the Syllabus. Some Category and Skill Set names
have been changed or deleted, and some task items have been added, edited, or
repositioned to ensure a more logical flow.

In addition, typical interactions with databases are now focused more on usage than
creation, and the ‘Database’ module has changed to reflect this, while still retaining
important practical elements. In line with this, this module has been renamed ‘Using
Databases’.

4. Who developed Syllabus 5.0?

Syllabus 5.0 was developed by ECDL Foundation (the certifying authority of the leading
international computer skills certification program - ECDL/ICDL) through a rigorous
development process that incorporated inputs from computer users, subject matter
experts, and practicing computer professionals from all over the world. Comments and
feedback made by Candidates, Test Centers and Courseware developers involved in
Syllabus 4.0 were integral to the development process.

Syllabus Version 5 FAQ 2009

 5. Will the certification based on Syllabus 4.0 remain valid after
launching Syllabus 5.0?

Yes, the certification based on Syllabus 4.0 will remain valid. This certification proves that
a Candidate has demonstrated particular core skills at a certain point in time.

6. How does the new Syllabus 5.0 affect the current Skills Card?

Each ICDL Candidate receives or assigned a Skills Card when enrolled in the
ICDL program to record their progress while going through the certification
process. Once all 7 modules are successfully completed by the candidate, the
Skills Card is then submitted by the Approved Center to ICDL GCC Foundation for
validation and certification.

The current Skills Card is not affected by the introduction of Syllabus 5.0.
Candidates that have started their certification process based in Syllabus 4.0 can
continue using the same Skills Card. In fact, even new candidates that are starting
their certification process based on Syllabus 5.0 will use the same exact Skills
Card.

7. When will Syllabus 4.0 be phased out?

Syllabus 4.0 will be phased out on 30th June 2010 and only Syllabus 5.0 will be available.
Candidates that wish to complete their certification based on Syllabus 4.0 must do so by
this date.

8. What if Candidates have already passed tests for some modules of

Syllabus 4.0 and are about to take tests for other modules soon?

A Skills Card remains valid for three (3) years from the date the first test is passed.
Candidates can use the same skills card to complete the remaining modules by taking the
tests based on the new Syllabus. However, candidates must be made aware of the
changes to the Syllabus so that they are well prepared for the Syllabus 5.0 tests.

Certificates issued will reflect the majority of modules completed (i.e. a candidate who
completes 4 modules with Syllabus 5.0 will be awarded an ICDL Syllabus 5.0 certificate).

9. Can Syllabus 4.0 tests be used as primer tests once Syllabus 5.0 is in
use?

To ensure that candidates are well prepared for the ICDL test based on Syllabus 5.0, a
Syllabus 5.0 Primer version has been developed and will be readily available on
December 1st, 2009.

Syllabus Version 5 FAQ 2009

 10. When will automated tests be ready?

Automated tests will be ready December 1st, 2009.

11. When do centers start offering ICDL testing in Syllabus 5.0?

Centers can start offering Syllabus 5.0 testing effective December 1st 2009 and
make it available to those candidates that wish to complete their certification in
Syllabus 5.0. Centers that have already purchased training materials for Syllabus
4.0 however are able to continue testing in Syllabus 4.0 as long as the candidate’s
Skills Card is compliant with the (3) years rule.

12. Transition Period

December 1st, 2009 – Syllabus 5.0 available

December 1st 2009 until June 30th 2010 – centers that have already purchased Skills
Cards and courseware are able to continue to offer Syllabus 4.0 to candidates. All new
purchases of training and testing materials will be based on Syllabus 5.0 only.

December 1st 2009 until June 30th 2010 – all exams purchased during the transition period
may be used for either Syllabus 4.0 or Syllabus 5.0 exams, until the cutoff date for
Syllabus V4.0 exams

June 30th 2010 – Any candidate who completed less than four modules in Syllabus 4.0 will
be certified in Syllabus 5.0 once the certification requirements have been successfully
achieved. However if a candidate has completed four or more modules in Syllabus 4.0,
they will be certified in Syllabus 4.0 as long as they are compliant with the 3 year rule

July 1st 2010 – All training and testing can only be taken in Syllabus 5.0

13. Are primer tests available for Syllabus 5.0?

Yes primer tests will be available from December 1st, 2009.

14. Must already ICDL Approved trainers and testers attend special
training to offer Syllabus 5.0?

No. Provided that the already ICDL Approved trainers and testers have been certified
within the last 5 years, they do not have to attend any special training. However, trainers
must become familiar with the new Syllabus changes/additions in order to prepare
candidates adequately for Syllabus 5.0 tests.

15. How do I prepare to introduce Syllabus 5.0 in my centre?

Ensure that all trainers and testers are familiar with the changes in Syllabus 5.0 and the
tests

Syllabus Version 5 FAQ 2009

Ensure that trainers are covering the full content of Syllabus 5.0 and that training materials
are adjusted accordingly.

16. What are the implications for an existing test centre?

An existing test centre that has already purchased courseware and Skills Cards can
continue to offer Syllabus 4.0 throughout the transition period, which will end on 30th June
2010. From July 1st, all candidates can only be trained and tested in Syllabus .5.0 by using
the Syllabus .5.0 training and testing material.

ICDL GCC Foundation

P. O. Box 500396
Building 2 Office 306
Dubai Internet City
Dubai - United Arab Emirates
Tel: +971 4 391 4335
Fax: +971 4 390 4457
E-mail: info@icdlgcc.org
URL: www.icdlgcc.org

Syllabus Version 5 FAQ 2009