ISEB Managers Certificate Case Studies & Exams

[Gee_Leeds]

Hi Everyone,

I have found out that ISEB reuse their past examination case studies using a different name, for example "MoneyBox" has now become "Money Co" which is July'07's case study.

Do any of you happen to know if they also use the same corresponding examination paper that was used last time they used the same case study? Would really help with revision!

Thanks in advance!

Gee_Leeds

[keef_99]

Yes i was hoping someone would know that as well! I guess you're your exams next week?! I'm just cataloging the services in Money Co and working out where the questions might lie

[carolbell]

I have pulled the case study apart based on the following strategy:

- 60% of the exam questions will be based on the case study.

- There are roughly 2 maybe 3 potential problems that raise questions on each of the processes in the case study. So I will concentrate my effort in answering those questions in an attempt to score around 14/20 for them.

- For the other 40% I will look at studying just the goals, objectives, activities, critical success factors and benefits and hope I can achieve at least 5/20.

That will provide a total score of (3 * 14) + (2 * 5) = 52%

I have disected the case study as follows:

- Location map showing timezones and distances
- Timeline of business activities
- Stakeholder analysis
- Architecture Diagram
- Architecture and Application Analysis
- Service Catalogue
- List of Current/Recent Problems
- Maturity Assessment
- List of possible exam questions

[LizGallacher]

The most common failing when students sit the exam, is to ignore or forget the fact that it IS a case-study question. Your strategy seems a good one, as far as analysing a case study is concerned.
- Make sure that you reference the case study at least once in every paragraph. This does NOT mean dressing a generic answer up to look like a case-study one "In xxx Config/avail etc. is necessary because....." followed by a generic answer!
- Refer to the departments, the systems, the applications etc. by name.
- Do NOT ignore what stage of development they are at - saying that the Capacity Manager should attend the CAB, when they do not have such a person, for example.
- Refer to the business situation - if they are expanding, have just merged, are launching a new service, or moving into a new country, for example. So, for example saying " the launch of the new internet based service X will require higher availability".

Remember, commonest failings -
- answering the question you wish you had been asked, not what was asked.
- Not referencing the case study when asked
- generic answers when specifics are asked for
- not thinking like a manager
- not answering all parts of a question
- not writing enough - remember 100 marks - 5 questions - each about 30 minutes (allowing for reading and revision time) - so 20 marks in 30 minutes = 1 1/2 minutes per mark. So that means about 2 sentences per mark. You cannot get a good mark, or even a pass from 1 page
_________________
Liz Gallacher,
ITIL EXPERT
Accredited ITIL and ISO/IEC20000 Trainer and Consultant - Freelance

[UKVIKING]

Liz is correct

When I sat for each exam

I wrote 40 pages for one and 38 pages for the other

double spaced hand written 40 pages
_________________
John Hardesty
ITSM Manager's Certificate (Red Badge)

Change Management is POWER & CONTROL. /....evil laughter

[Alok]

Hi,

Any idea when is the result expected for July 07 exam? Its already 8 weeks now.

Do we have the result uploaded on any website??

[LizGallacher]

The examiners meeting was last Friday, so results should be arriving any day . It is a long process, but it is a very thorough process!!
_________________
Liz Gallacher,
ITIL EXPERT
Accredited ITIL and ISO/IEC20000 Trainer and Consultant - Freelance

[andy1971]

The results for the July exams are out today......

[beanyone]

results came this morning. I thank you.

[chuapcd]

Did u all make it ?

[LizGallacher]

Just to answer the original question - no, the same questions are not re-used with the case study. Anyway, as I have said on this forum before, the questions themselves are not the issue - the same sorts of things are asked every time - how to implement, benefits, costs, problems, solutions, inter-relationships/comparisons between processes. You need to know what the books say on every process (not every word necessarily, but the key points), and answer the question asked - not a generic brain dump, ad refer to the case study when required.

It is a stiff exam, and you need to study for it, not cram for specific questions.
_________________
Liz Gallacher,
ITIL EXPERT
Accredited ITIL and ISO/IEC20000 Trainer and Consultant - Freelance

[ST]

Liz / anyone ?

i'm working away but really want my results - does anyone know if theres someone i can call who may have th results and be prepared to tell me over the phone?

[andy1971]

Hi

I believe your training provider get the results at the same time as the candidates.

There is probably a whole host of policies saying why results cannot be given out over the telephone or e-mail by training providers....but I guess its worth a try, and certainly better than sitting in a hotel room worrying about it!

[ST]

andy,
Cheers rang them. im in referral between pass/distinction so 10 more days to wait...

gutted