Test Taking Tips for the ITIL Intermediate Exam Author: Michael Scarborough 6 May 2011 672 views

No Comments Tags: Testing The ITIL Intermediate Certifications are highly sought after by employers and re quire attendance at an accredited class as well as a passing score on an extreme ly difficult exam. The exams consist of 8 multiple-choice questions. Each questi on is based on a scenario that can be a page or more in length. The scenarios ar e amazingly similar to real-world experiences often encountered in the world of service management consulting. Each question is graded on a gradient scale that is, each question has a most correct answer, which is worth 5 points. The second best answer is worth 3 points, the t hird best worth 1 point, and finally a distractor is worth 0 points. To pass the exam, the successful candidate must achieve a score of 28 or more points on the exam. The intermediate exams are an excellent indicator of the examinees depth o f knowledge in specific areas. No one wants to attend a very challenging class only to fail the very challengin g exam at the end of it. There are several things to consider that can contribut e to your success when approaching the ITIL Intermediate exams. Consider points ITIL tends to emphasize ITIL places heavy emphasis on a few items that show up in every process area. Th ese are: Measurements and Metrics Roles and Responsibilities Risks, Challenges, and Benefits Interactions with other processes Because these topics tend to receive heavy focus, they make excellent topics for exam questions. Remember the ABCs A while back I posted to this blog about the ABCs of ITIL. When I took the v3 int ermediate exams I noticed something relevant. The best answers tended to: Provide the best examples of Accountability Draw the most effective Boundaries Were most Consistent with the best practice This specific approach is highly subjective, but it tended to work well for me, and Ive had a couple of students indicate that it worked for them as well. Identify Your Role in the Scenario This is very important. Often the scenarios on the intermediate exams will clear ly identify your role. Your role might affect which answer is most correct. For example, if youre told in the exam that youre a service management consultant, thi s will generally mean that your response will be more focused on recommendations , whereas if youre told you hold a role such as change manager, your response to the question is more likely to involve specific actions that a change manager mi ght take. Use a True/False Approach When reading the answer choices, one technique that works is read each sentence

independently and then ask yourself the following questions: Is this statement consistent with the scenario? Is this statement consistent with the best practice? If the answer to both of these questions is true, then mark a T on your exam paper to the side of that answer choice. If youre unsure, or if your answer to these q uestions is inconclusive, then mark a - on your exam paper to the side of that ans wer choice. If the answer to both questions is false, then make a F on your exam p aper to the side of that answer choice. Then, when youve done this for every answer choice, count the number of Ts you marke d on each answer choice. If you did this correctly, then youll find that the 3 an d 5 point answers tend to have more true statements. Youll also usually be able t o clearly identify the 0 point answer as it will have the most false statements. The ITIL Intermediate exams are tough but not impossible. When you pass one you should be proud of it because youre becoming a member of an elite group that demo nstrated knowledge and understanding of the best practices. In addition to payin g close attention during class and reading the appropriate ITIL core book, the f our tips discussed in this blog post can help you achieve a passing score on the se exams.