Open book

In case of “open book” exams you can take the learning material print (course content, TOC, index, excercises & quizes) with you , but also

• the relevant standard print (like the ISO27001 / ISO27002 standard for the ISO27001 exams)
• the relevant legislation print (NIS2, DORA, GDPR …)
• your notes

You’re not allowed to use a second pc, laptop, tablet or smart phone during the exam.

HINT: if not yet printed, print the course on paper… in advance.

Closed book

No additional help allowed, at all.

Prepare the content and book your exam

In case of an open book exam

• log into mypecb.com
• from you dashboard you’ll be able to select your course and plan the exam
• print out the course material, you’ll be able to access the course content also only from the exam interface

BUT, in many case people get distracted flipping screens between exam and the online material
BETTER: print the course material (yes, less ecofriendly, but way easier and more comfortable to pass the exam).

Available seats and several dates/timeslots to book your exam will be presented:

Practical hints to prepare your open book exam

• do not memorize, but study and set up your course material for easy search
• organise your course with post-its to mark
  • sections
  • important topics (eg. certain articles from legislation…)

Exam app

Install the PECB exam app a few days in advance and check if it works (not a few minutes before the exam).

Link can be found here: https://pecb.com/en/pecb-exams

Please be aware that some enterprise laptops might block the installation of the app.
In rare cases, your firewall might not be happy…

If so:

• ask help from your IT department
• use a personal laptop/pc

Before entering the exam

• you can only use 1 screen and laptop/pc
• Make sure you’re in an isolated environment, without any interference from people or your phone
• Mute your mobile
• ….

Check the exam policies and conditions

Entering the exam

Check the technical conditions

• fast internet
• single screen
• no remote assistance software
• …

During the exam

Suggestion for exam approach

• Review / mark questions if you’re unsure of the answer

• run the exam in 3 rounds
  • First round, answer the questions as quickly as possible
    • mark a question for review if you are in doubt, but
    • don’t loose time, don’t get stuck (waste time) on question
  • Second round
    • Recheck the questions you marked
    • IMPORTANT: only change an answer if you know it is wrong and validated it.
    • Don’t change the answer if you’re not sure.
  • Third round
    • answer questions you don’t know by lookng up
    • lookup the answer in the course (open book exam)
• The first time you want to submit the exam
  • wait 5 minutes to hit the submit button
  • review the questions, in case you can still improve your score
  • only hit the submit button at second attempt

Just in case of bad luck

If exam entry fails

In case of technical issues, emergency … and you’re not able to enter exam, just know that the exam coupon is ONLY voided when you enter the exam.

Solution: Open a PECB support ticket and ask to replan exam with better conditions.

If exam result suck…

• the PECB exam coupon is valid for a free retry…
• Book a new exam with the same code
• Study again,
• ask help, eg from a coach
• Retry with success

Failure is a learning point to do better.

Access to course materials

Access via PECB profile

Access to your materials: https://pecb.com/en/login ; there will be a tab where you can see and link the registered material

Planning exam

PECB Profile > Exams

Login to your PECB Profile: https://pecb.com/en/login

In the menu on the left hand side, hit the Exams section, then “Enroll” to book an exam.

PECB Exams direct link online

To book your directly from the dashboard:  https://pecb.com/en/eventExamList/schedule

(You’ll be asked to login to your PECB profile).

PECB Exam application

To join an exam you need to install the PECB Exams app from https://pecb.com/pecbexams/

• Windows Installer: https://pecb.com/pecbexams/PECB-Exams.exe
• MAC: https://pecb.com/pecbexams/PECB-Exams-MAC.dmg

Helpful links

Exam handbooks

Select your exam choice in the list of PECB exam, and in the right hand column, you’ll find the exam handbook.
List Of PECB Exams

PECB Online Examinee manual (PDF)

The PECB Online Examinee Manual serves as a complete resource, offering detailed instructions and information to examinees participating in PECB-certified online exams. It explains the examination procedures, regulations, and guidelines, ensuring a successful examination experience: https://pecb.com/pdf/PECB-online-examinee-manual.pdf

PECB Exam Rules and policies

PECB Exam Rules and Policies: https://pecb.com/en/exam-rules-and-policies

For each exam:

Download relevant ISO standards or legislation.