cobit 5 ote foundation design

COBIT 5 OTE Foundation Design – 30th October 2012 Version 0.1 (Status - Draft) Owner – Chief Examiner Aligned to Version 1.3 of the OTE Foundation Design

OTE Foundation Design

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COBIT 5 OTE Foundation Design – 30th October 2012 Version 0.1 (Status - Draft) Owner – Chief Examiner Aligned to Version 1.3 of the OTE Foundation Design

1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 1 2 Foundation Examination Structure .................................................................................................... 1

2.1 Examination Structure ................................................................................................................. 1 2.2 Sizing ........................................................................................................................................... 1 2.3 Timings ........................................................................................................................................ 2 2.4 Pass Mark .................................................................................................................................... 2

3 Examination Content ......................................................................................................................... 3 3.1 Test Types Used ......................................................................................................................... 3 3.2 Question Styles ........................................................................................................................... 3 3.3 Formats and International Considerations .................................................................................. 4 3.4 Difficulty Assessment Model ....................................................................................................... 4 3.5 Profile of Content ......................................................................................................................... 4

4 Scoring System ................................................................................................................................. 4 4.1 Scoring Model .............................................................................................................................. 4 4.2 Scoring Correction Procedure ..................................................................................................... 4

5 Examination Administration ............................................................................................................... 4 5.1 Administration Documentation .................................................................................................... 4 5.2 Results Format and Content ....................................................................................................... 5 5.3 Feedback Format and Content .................................................................................................... 5 5.4 Results Timings ........................................................................................................................... 5

APPENDIX A – FOUNDATION FORMAT ................................................................................................ 6 APPENDIX B – ANALYSIS OF SYLLABUS TOPIC AND QUESTION STYLES ..................................... 7 APPENDIX C: THE EXAMINATION BOOKLET ...................................................................................... .9 APPENDIX D: EXAMPLES OF COBIT 5 FOUNDATION QUESTION STYLES ................................... 10

COBIT 5® OTE Foundation Design – 30 October 2012 Version 1.0 (Status - Live) Page 1 Owner – Chief Examiner Aligned to Version 1.3 of the OTE Foundation Design

1 Introduction The purpose of this document is to specify for the COBIT 5 Foundation examination, the structure, content and format of the examination as well as the examination timings and the requirements for test administration. It will be used: • To communicate the qualification’s examination design with the training community • As an input to the configuration of the APMG examination system for this qualification • As an input to the development of Editorial Standards and supporting documentation for

question developers. The OTE Foundation Design is under formal change control and any changes and any changes required should be raised with the Design Architect.

For explanation of OTE examination terms see the OTE Glossary

2 Foundation Examination Structure 2.1 Examination Structure The COBIT 5 Foundation examination is a closed-book examination and is intended to address the knowledge and skills that demonstrate proficiency in the COBIT 5 ‘Business Framework for the Governance and Management of Enterprise IT’ and the ‘Supplementary Guide on Process Capability which is based on the COBIT Process Assessment Model (PAM) – using COBIT 5’. It introduces the candidate to the five basic principles which are covered in detail and includes extensive guidance on enablers for governance and management of enterprise IT. Also included are the concepts of a process assessment model (PAM) based on the ISO 15504 approach which replaces the previous CMM (Capability Maturity Model). The knowledge and skills required at Foundation level are identified in the COBIT 5 Foundation syllabus. The Foundation design is based on testing the breadth of the syllabus using random generation of papers. There is no hidden importance to the topics. All topics are of equal importance, with an equal chance of appearing in the examination. A candidate is expected to meet the requirements of all the syllabus topics, although each examination will not necessarily examine all syllabus topics. Each examination consists of 50 questions covering all syllabus areas. The number of questions per syllabus area in each examination is in proportion to the number of topics within that syllabus area. In any one paper, the default design is no more than 1 question for each syllabus topic. The basis on which the number of questions is selected for each syllabus area is given in Appendix B. Out of the total number of questions in the examination 7 will test learning level 1. Whilst not all syllabus topics are tested in any one paper, each paper covers a minimum of 75% of the topics which means that all syllabus topics are tested on a regular basis. Questions appear in any order on the examination paper, they are not grouped according to syllabus area. The standard wording for the front cover of the examination booklet and an example of the answer sheet is at Appendix C.

2.2 Sizing

Within the question booklet there are 3 questions per page to allow for varying question lengths, translations and dual language papers for non-English candidates. No question is split across 2 pages.


2.3 Timings

The Foundation examination will be 40 minutes duration.

2.4 Pass Mark

The pass mark is 50% or more of the marks, i.e. 25 or more marks out of 50.


3 Examination Content 3.1 Test Types Used

Only one test type is used – the Classic test type which presents four options from which one option is selected. Distracters or wrong answers are options that candidates with incomplete knowledge or skill would be likely to choose. These should be generally plausible responses relating to the syllabus area being examined.

3.2 Question Styles Several question styles will be adopted, as per the following table:

Question Style

Format Constraints

Standard

The most commonly used style. A standard question usually beginning with “What,” “Who”, “In which process”, “Why”, “How often” or “When”. E.g.: When is the..? Which is a characteristic of...? How often does..? What role ….

Four options are presented. The answers can be presented in any order. Note: an alphabetic order is not maintained when translated and a logical order may give clues to the answer.

Negative

This uses a negative word in the question stem which is in bold and capitals to emphasize the meaning and make it less likely the candidate will overlook these words e.g.: Which statement is NOT a..? Which statement is FALSE?

Do not use more than 10% in any one paper.

Sequencing- 3

Identifying the correct order of 3 actions or events. In what order would..? Which sequence correctly represents..?

Sequencing - 4 As above but sequencing four actions or events.

Missing Word(s)

Identify the missing word/words/word(s)/phrase/ product in the following sentence. “….text……[ ? ] ……text……”

Do not ask for the words to complete the beginning or end of a sentence. Write instead as a closed question. Do not use more than 10% in any one paper.

Table A: Question Styles to be used in the Foundation Examination Examples of these styles and the information held about them within the database are at Appendix D.


3.3 Formats and International Considerations

The following formats are supported by the database and are to be used in Word templates.

• Arial 10pt for all text • Two character spaces between number for question stem and text of question stem • One character space between sentences • Options to align with beginning of the question stem • Italics for certain qualification specific terms • One line space between question stem and options • 3pt spacing before and after each option • Double line spacing between each question • No full stops to be used for the options • Certain words may be presented in capitals and/or bold.

The Editorial standards detail specific guidance on use of italics and bold.

Answers are to be recorded in on an answer sheet. An example of this is provided at Appendix C.

3.4 Difficulty Assessment Model

All questions are initially assigned a difficulty category of Medium. Papers are balanced by ensuring that papers are generated on the basis of a certain number of questions per syllabus area, learning level and question style. Question performance in live use is monitored and a question’s difficulty category may then be revised in light of performance statistics.

3.5 Profile of Content Each paper will also contain a certain profile of question styles. This is detailed at Appendix B.

4 Scoring System 4.1 Scoring Model

All questions gain one mark for a correct answer. There is no negative marking.

4.2 Scoring Correction Procedure

Questions are pre-tested through rigorous quality reviews. Where exceptionally there is a need for a score correction, the question(s) involved will be removed from the paper and the total marks and required pass mark adjusted accordingly.

5 Examination Administration 5.1 Administration Documentation

Any candidate sitting the COBIT 5 Foundation Examination receives the following documentation at the time of their examination, either in a paper based or electronic format:


• Candidate Number –allocated on the candidate list summary sent to the invigilator, who will inform the candidate or the candidate will be allocated a number at the point of logging into an online examination

• Candidate Details Form –records the relevant contact information, contact preferences and identification information for all candidates

• Feedback Form – for the candidate to provide feedback to APMG on any comments they may wish to make on their examination paper

• Question Paper –the examination for the candidate to use • Candidate Answer Sheet – to be used by the candidate to indicate their answers to the

examination questions. In addition, on booking an examination, Candidate Guidance explaining the format of the question papers, and the different styles of question asked is issued to the candidate. In addition to the information provided to the candidate, a booklet named ‘Notes to Invigilators’ is issued to the nominated invigilator for the examination to help them run the session. This booklet contains information on the rules and regulations which will be in place whilst the candidate sits their paper. The invigilator will read out this information to candidates before the examination. The booklet also provides the invigilator with guidance on how to provide feedback on questions which the invigilator believes to be unfair, confusing, poorly worded or misleading and how to deal with major issues arising that may subsequently require a change to the marking scheme.

5.2 Results Format and Content

Provisional results for the Foundation examination are fed back to candidates either orally by the invigilator or via email for candidates sitting the examinations at APMG public centres. Results are issued as the total number of marks achieved by the candidate on their paper.

5.3 Feedback Format and Content No additional feedback is to be provided for the Foundation examination.

5.4 Results Timings In normal circumstances, papers are marked immediately after the examination has taken place and candidates are informed of their results by the invigilator who marked their paper. At open centre examinations there may not be time to mark the paper immediately afterwards and so candidates will be emailed their results within 5 working days of the examination. If a candidate is sitting a paper within the pilot phase of its launch then they may have their results deadline extended and should be informed of this at the time of booking the examinations. In exceptional circumstances results may be withheld until payment has been received from the candidate.


APPENDIX A – FOUNDATION FORMAT

1. a. 50 questions (0.8 minute per question) b. 40 minutes duration c. Pass mark of 25 (50%)


APPENDIX B – ANALYSIS OF SYLLABUS TOPIC AND QUESTION STYLES Analysis of Syllabus Topics

The inclusion of 50 question items in every paper represents 75% of the syllabus. 14% of the 50 questions are at Learning Level 1.

Profile of Question Styles

Question Style Number of each style

Standard Any number

Negative Max 5 per paper

Missing Word Max 5 per paper

Sequencing 3 Any number

Sequencing 4 Any number

Total Maximum 50 questions

Ref Syllabus Area No of Foundation Syllabus Topics

No of questions in a paper

Learning Level 1 2 Total No LL1 per

paper

No LL2 per

paper

No per paper

OV Overview and Key Features of COBIT 5 0 2 2 0 2 2

PR The COBIT 5 Principles 5 15 20 3 12 15

EN The COBIT 5 Enablers 1 25 26 1 20 21

IM Introduction to COBIT 5 Implementation 1 4 5 1 3 4

PC Process Capability Assessment Model 4 8 12 2 6 8

Total Number of Topics 11 54 65 7 43 50


APPENDIX C: THE EXAMINATION BOOKLET (i). Standard wording for the Candidate Instructions from the front cover of the Examination Booklet Instructions 1. All 50 questions should be attempted. 2. All answers are to be marked on the answer sheet provided. 3. Please use a pencil and NOT ink to mark your answers on the Answer sheet provided. There is only one correct answer per question. 4. You have 40 minutes for this paper. 5. You must get 25 or more correct answers to pass.


(ii). Example Answer sheet


APPENDIX D: EXAMPLES OF COBIT 5 FOUNDATION QUESTION STYLES PRINCE2 & MSP Examples are shown below – if necessary replace with COBIT 5 detail once good examples are available. N.B the subject matter in these examples may not be current.

ID: 9 Ver By: Emma Jones

Syllabus Area: CS020300 - Controlling a Stage Process Ver Date: 27/3/2009

Ver No: 2.1 Master

Section Ref:

15.3

Status: L Review Status: A-Accepted

Style: Standard Use: Sample1

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: A

Question Rationale

Question:

What role is responsible for authorizing and monitoring work to be completed and for taking corrective action within a stage?

Test Objective:

LL2 - The responsibilities within the Controlling a Stage process - understand the responsibility of the Project Manager

Option A: Project Manager Rationale:Correct. The Project Manager is responsible for controlling the day-to-day activities of the stage. Ref 15.3

Option B: Project Support Rationale:

Incorrect. Project Support provides administrative support to the Project Manager, but is not responsible for authorizing the work. Ref 5.3.2.8

Option C: Project Assurance Rationale:

Incorrect. Project Assurance reviews the activities of the stage, but is not responsible for authorizing the work. Ref 5.3.2.3

Option D: Team Manager Rationale:

Incorrect. The Team Manager agrees work with the Project Manager to be delivered as part of a Work Package Ref 5.3.2.7


ID: 85 Ver By: Elaine Sharkey

Syllabus Area: IP020400 - Initiating a Project Process Ver Date: 12/3/2009

Ver No: 2.0 Master

Section Ref:

14.4

Status: A :

Style: Sequencing-3 Review Status: A-Accepted

Use: Exam

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: B

Question Rationale

Question:

In what sequence would the following occur in the Initiating a Project process?

1. Create the Project Plan 2. Prepare the project strategies 3. Refine the Business Case

Test Objective:

LL2 - Understand the activities within the Initiating a Project process.

Option A: 1, 2, 3 Rationale:

Incorrect. The strategies are input to the Project Plan and are created before the Project Plan. Ref 14.4.6

Option B: 2, 1, 3 Rationale:

Correct: Once the strategies for quality, risk, configuration and communication management have been produced, they are then incorporated into the Project Plan where project costs and times are forecast followed by Refinement of the Business Case. Ref 14.4.7

Option C: 3, 1, 2 Rationale:

Incorrect. The Business Case is refined with project costs after the Project Plan had been created using information from the strategies. Ref 14.4.7

Option D: 3, 2, 1 Rationale:

Incorrect. The Business Case is refined with project costs after the Project Plan had been created using information from the strategies. Ref 14.4.7



Syllabus Area: IP020400 - Initiating a Project Process Ver Date: 12/3/2009

Ver No: 2.0 Master

Section Ref:

15.4

Status: A

Style: Sequencing-4 Review Status: A-Accepted

Use: Exam

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: B

Question Rationale

Question:

If a product is to be changed, when there is no Change Budget available, in what order would the following occur? 1. A Work Package is created or

amended 2. An Exception Report is raised 3. An Issue Report is raised 4. The Project Board approve the

change

Test Objective:

LL2 - Understand the correct sequence of events in order to implement a Request for Change.

Option A: 1, 2, 4, 3 Rationale:

Incorrect. Work should not commence on implementing any change unless the request has been through formal change control and gained the appropriate approval. Ref 15.4.7

Option B: 2, 3 ,4, 1 Rationale:Correct. An Exception Report is created as a result of a Project Issue, not the other way around. Ref 15.4.7

Option C: 3, 1, 2, 4 Rationale:

Incorrect. Work should not commence on implementing any change unless the request has been through formal change control and gained the appropriate approval. Ref 15.4.8

Option D: 3, 2, 4, 1 Rationale:

Incorrect. A Request for Change would be raised as a Project Issue and examined for its impact. It is then escalated for a decision via an Exception Report for approval by the Project Board (or Change Authority). If approved, a Work Package is created or amended to commence work. 15.4.7



Syllabus Area: OV080 - Overview and Principles Ver Date: 31/3/2009

Ver No: 2.2 Master

Section Ref:

1.3


Style: Negative Use: Sample1

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: C

Question Rationale

Question: Which statement does NOT define a characteristic of a project?

Test Objective:

LL2 - Understand the characteristics of a project

Option A: Has a higher degree of risk than business as usual Rationale:

Incorrect. Projects introduce threats and opportunities over and above those we typically encounter in the course of stable business operations. Projects are more risky. Ref 1.3

Option B: Involves people with different skills introducing a change that will impact others outside of the team

Rationale:

Incorrect. The project environment involves a temporary team of people with different skills working together to introduce change within the business environment. Ref 1.3

Option C: Has a lifespan that usually covers the delivery of the desired outcomes and the realization of the expected benefits

Rationale:

Correct. These are characteristics of a programme. Whilst projects do deliver outcomes and benefits, many will not be realized until after the project has closed. Ref 19.4

Option D: A temporary management structure created for the implementation of business products

Rationale:

Incorrect. Projects are temporary in nature. Once the change has been implemented the need for the project is removed. Ref 1.3



Syllabus Area:

SB010 - Managing a Stage Boundary Process Ver Date: 31/3/2009

Ver No: 2.2 Master

Section Ref:

17.1


Style: Missing Word(s) Use: Sample1

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: C

Question Rationale

Question:

Identify the missing words in the following sentence.

A purpose of the Managing a Stage Boundary process is to provide the Project Board with sufficient information so that it can approve the [ ? ] for the next stage.

Test Objective:

LL1 - Recall the stated purpose of the Managing a Stage Boundary process

Option A: Work Packages Rationale:Incorrect. Work Packages are approved by the Project Manager during the Controlling a Stage process. Ref 15.4.1

Option B: Exception Report Rationale:

Incorrect. An Exception Report may trigger the Managing a Stage Boundary process if an Exception Plan is required. Ref 15.4.7

Option C: Stage Plan Rationale:

Correct. A purpose of the Managing a Stage Boundary process is to provide sufficient information to the Project Board, so that it can review the success of the current stage and approve the next Stage Plan. Ref 17.1

Option D: Project Brief Rationale:

Incorrect. The Project Brief is approved by the Project Board following the Starting up a Project process, and before the Initiating a Project process. Ref 13.4.1



Syllabus Area: QU070 - Quality Theme Ver Date: 29/3/2009

Ver No: 2.1 Master

Section Ref:

A.17.2


Style: Select (List) Use: Sample1

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: C

Question Rationale

Question:

Which of the following are included in a Product Description?

1. A breakdown of the individual parts that make up the product

2. The management stage in which the product is to be created

3. The reviewer(s) for the product 4. Any allowable deviation from the

specified quality criteria

Test Objective:

LL2 - Understand the purpose and composition of a Product Description

Option A: 1, 2, 3 Rationale:

Incorrect. (4) Quality Tolerance: details of any range in the quality criteria within which the product would be acceptable. Ref A.17.2

Option B: 1, 2, 4 Rationale:

Incorrect. (3). Quality responsibilities: defines those people who are to be involved in quality checking the product: approvers(s). Ref A.17.2

Option C: 1, 3, 4 Rationale:

Correct. (2). The Product Description does not contain details of the stage in which the product is to be created. Ref A.17.2

Option D: 2, 3, 4 Rationale:

Incorrect. (1). Composition: shows the content or parts that need to be assembled to make the product complete. Ref A.17.2

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