Assignments and projects
Besides exams, Marketing in Practice and Marketing Management in Practice can also be assessed by project. The other Certificate and Diploma modules can also be assessed by assignment. The significant difference is in how they are marked: with assignments we do some of the marking; projects are wholly marked by CIM.
Both assignments and projects are work-based assessments that set you a number of tasks, each involving you in carrying out an investigation on your organisation or one which you know well. This finishes with you producing a 4000–5000 word written report based on your findings.
As with exams, assignments and projects can be done twice a year, for submission in Summer. and Winter, though your work on them will start a long time in advance of that.
Joining CIM and registering for assessment
You do not need to be a member of CIM to begin your studies with us, although we recommend you become one as soon as possible after starting. You will need us to approve your CIM entry level, so it is easiest if you send your Application for CIM Membership form to us with your enrolment form so that we can sign and authorise it. You do have to be a CIM member in order to register for assessment. There is a charge for each assessment that you take; note that it is higher if you choose to do a project or are taking Analysis and Decision.
Choosing between exams and assignments/projects
If you are studying either Stage 1 or Stage 2, you have a choice of assessment methods: all exams, assignments/project, or a mix of the two. Diploma students have to take exams.
Choosing assessment by assignments or a project can have many benefits, but remember that:
- it is less flexible,
- you can only get the best grades on your assignments/project once you’ve finished your studies, whereas you can prepare for exams during your studies, it will be difficult to do the necessary research unless you are working for at least a medium-sized organisation,
- you will be committing yourself to a strict timetable and will probably end up doing more background reading than if you had chosen to take exams.
Contact us if you are not sure which choice would be best for you. If after you have been studying for a while you decide you have chosen the wrong assessment method for you, you will be able to change to the other providing you have not already submitted your assessment registration form.
Each module has a single three-hour exam which you may sit at your nearest CIM exam centre. It will be made up of a case study and a selection of shorter questions, all of which you respond to in a business-like style. Analysis and Decision from the Diploma is slightly different in that its case study is more complex, so you receive the scenario for that some weeks before the exam and receive the questions on the day. Exams take place in June and December each year.
Assignments and projects
Marketing in Practice and Marketing Management in Practice are assessed by project. The other Stage 1 and Stage 2 modules are assessed by assignment. The significant difference is in how they are marked: with assignments we do some of the marking; projects are wholly marked by CIM. Both assignments and projects are work-based assessments that set you a number of tasks, each involving you in carrying out an investigation on your organisation or one which you know well. This finishes with you producing a 4000–5000 word written report based on your findings.
As with exams, assignments and projects can be done twice a year, for submission in Summer and Winter, though your work on them will start a long time in advance of that.
Registering for assessment
When you enrol with us we will send you the forms that you need to register for assessment and instructions on which of them we need you to fill out and when. Remember that you are responsible for registering with CIM and returning your assessment registration form to us in good time. No late entries can be accepted. Generally, if you wish to take a June exam, we will need your registration in March; if you wish to take a December exam, we will need your registration in September. If you wish to submit assignments or a project, we will need an extra couple of months’ notice above that.
Exam Venue
If you choose to take exams, CIM will contact you to confirm your exam venue about four weeks before the exams begin.
Special Needs requirements
If you require special needs arrangements, make sure you include them on your assessment registration form, supported by medical evidence where appropriate. Contact CIM for further guidance.
Individual Module Award
You may obtain a Certificate for any individual module that you pass. Contact CIM. They will charge a fee for this service.
