e-GIF Foundation Test Briefing

1. The Task
2. Taking the Test
3. Test Technique - IMPORTANT
4. Re-taking the Test
5. Preparing for the Test and Content of the Test
6. Sample Foundation Test Questions

1. The Task

The test is delivered over the internet in an unproctored format; there is a 30 minute time limit and you will need to allocate that amount of time in a contiguous block.
The test administrator will give you a unique log-on id and password that will permit a "one time test". For more details on the test, see the sections below.

When you're ready to start the test, go to "Sit a Test" - the third option on the opening menu; ignore the other options at this time.

At the opening screen of the test you'll find another short, reminder briefing and the "Start" button. Pressing this button starts the test timer, and you'll get the first question right away. Once started, the clock can't be stopped except by ending the test. Be sure you are ready to go when you hit the Start button.
It doesn't matter what speed of line you're using; the test uses both the client-side clock and the server-side clock to ensure you have the full time allocated.

2. Taking the Test

The questions are multiple choice; all you have to do is check the answer(s) you believe are right and move on to the next question. You'll see how many questions you've done, how many are left, and the time remaining.
At the bottom of the screen you'll see a "Tag" button. Use this if you'd like to skip the question for now and come back to it later.

After the last question you'll have a chance to review all the questions and your answers. Do the tagged ones first!
Once you're happy with your answers, you can end the test and you'll get an exam report straight away. You will be told whether you passed or not.

3. Test Technique IMPORTANT!

You will not be told how many correct answers there are to each question (i.e. there may be more than one correct option offered); so remember to check all those that you think are correct and not any that you think are incorrect. You will lose points for checking wrong answers, so, if you're not sure whether an answer is right or wrong it's best not to check it!
The scoring system works like this:

• You get +1 mark for each correct answer;
• You get -1 mark for each incorrect answer;
• The total score on any question cannot go below zero.

4. Re-taking the Test?

The test is a one-time test. Unless by prior arrangement, if you fail the test and need to resit it, the resit will incur another examination fee and you'll need a new unique log-on id and new password.

5. Preparing for the Test and the Content of the Test

The test is based on the content of the e-GIF itself. The test content will vary from time to time, but typically there will be between 30-40 questions within 5 key subject areas.

We'd recommend that as a minimum you are familiar with the e-GIF and will have browsed around the most significant web sites and any other documentary references in it in order to understand its context and content in more than a cursory manner.

Anyone going for Foundation certification should also have a general understanding the roles of eGU, OGC and CESG.

Some organisations have found that sitting the Foundation test at the end of a period of organised training, such as that offered by e-GIF Accredited Training Providers, was the most efficient way of ensuring a high pass rate.

Here's a reading list, all of which are available on www.govtalk.gov.uk. It's the current versions of:

1. The e-GIF - obviously essential - you should understand this in detail
2. The Technical Standards Catalogue (TSC) - you need to be aware of the types of standards, level of definition and their application
3. The e-Government Metadata Standard (e-GMS) - essential reading, changes proposed
4. The Government Data Standards Catalogue(GDSC) - you need to be aware of the content style and be able to articulate how it should be used - also what to do if an item is not included
5. The Government Category List (GCL) - can be used to develop profiles for particular domains. You should have an understanding of its use and the content style
6. Be aware of the impact the change over to the Integrated Public Sector Vocabulary (IPSV) is bringing to 4 and 5.
7. XML Schema Guidelines - useful XML style guide
8. Quality Framework for Government Websites - for general awareness
9. Local Government Website Guidelines - a good description of all the project level considerations for setting up a government website
10. The Security Policy Framework
    

The details of the 5 key subject areas are:

1. e-GIF Background, Policy & Objectives
   1.1 e-GIF Architecture, Concepts & Structure
   1.2 The Approach to Interoperability
   1.3 The Purpose of the e-GIF
   1.4 The Structure of the e-GIF
   1.5 e-GIF Ownership & Responsibilities
   1.6 Relationship of e-GIF to Other Initiatives
   
   
2. e-GIF Processes and Updating
   2.1 Selecting Appropriate Standards
   2.2 The e-GIF Schemas
   2.3 The e-GIF Consultation Process
   
   
3. Achieving e-GIF Compliance
   3.1 Responsibility for Compliance
   3.2 The Responsibility of Organisations
   3.3 The Responsibility for Systems
   3.4 Compliance with different versions of the e-GIF
   3.5 Managing Failure to comply with the e-GIF
   3.6 Keeping up-to-date with the e-GIF
   
   
4. The e-GIF Registry Components
   4.1 The Technical Standards Catalogue (TSC)
   4.2 Application & use of the e-GMS
   4.3 The Government Category List (GCL)
   4.4 The Government Data Standards Catalogue (GDSC)
   
   
5. The Core Technical Standards
   5.1 XML
   5.2 XML Schemas
   5.3 Interconnection & Data Integration
   5.4 e-Services
   5.5 Access
   5.6 Metadata
   5.7 Smart Cards
   5.8 Standards for Business Areas
   5.9 Security

As you can see from this overview, the test is a mix of general knowledge questions and 'light' technical questions. Each question is scored with the same weight.

6. Sample Foundation Test Questions

These are not questions from the actual test, but they do give you a "flavour" of what to expect.

Although you are told "Select all that apply" in actual fact there is only one correct answer to this question; so:

• If you check just the correct answer you'll get full marks;
• If you check the correct answer and one or more incorrect answers you'll get zero marks.

Put another way, wrong answers score negative points and the minimum score for a question is zero.

In the second example there are two correct answers:-

So the marking rules in this situation will result in:

• Check both correct answers - 100% mark;
• Check one correct answer - 50% mark;
• Check both correct answers and one incorrect one - 50% mark;
• Any other combination will result in a zero mark.

These example questions also demonstrate the features of the test:

• Timer - the timer shows the time remaining for the test; it is sensitive to the line speeds that are being used and synchronises the client and server side clocks to only count time once the transmission is complete.
• Back - allows you to go back to the previous question.
• Next - allows you to go forward to the next question.
• Tag Question - this feature allows you to tag a question if you're not sure and want to come back to it later - very useful if you are short of time and want to get through the "easier" questions first!
• Review - is a summary screen that shows you each of the questions and whether you have answered it; use this once you have completed the test and want to check your answers in the time remaining.