All APSO members and their operational staff are required to write the APSO entrance exam within 6 months of joining. This exam is designed to ensure that recruiters carrying the APSO logo have at least the minimum level of embedded knowledge applicable to the labour recruitment industry.
Who should write the exam?
Any recruiter working within an APSO member company is required to write the exam. Operational staff members (accounts executives, researchers, payroll clerks etc) who come into contact with clients and/or candidates are also required to write the exam.
Please Note: APSO Entrance Exam is only open to employees working for an APSO-registered agency.
What is in the course/exam material?
The original IPSC material has been greatly improved and expanded. The APSO Entrance Exam now offers a solid induction course, particularly for those labour recruitment consultants working in an SME environment where they are required to be revenue-generating from day one.
Each learner is provided with comprehensive course material that is available online on the Professional Recruiters Education Portal (PREP) e-learning portal. The course covers the following:
- Module 1: The Recruitment Landscape
- Module 2: The Recruitment Puzzle
- Module 3: Ethics
- Module 4: Labour Legislation
- Module 5: Applying the Law
- Module 6: The Perm Recruitment Process
- Module 7: The Temp Recruitment Process
- Module 8: Executive Search
- Module 9: Project Management
- Module 10: Marketing & Sales
For those APSO members who operate within the Healthcare Sector, an additional module is available covering Healthcare and the TES.
What does the exam consist of?
At present the exam takes the form of a series of self-assessment questions that are completed at the end of each module. In addition a short project is required to complete the sections relating to Perm and Temp Recruitment Process and the portfolio is required to be uploaded for this.
At the completion of the entire learning programme, you undertake an online exam that tests your level of embedded knowledge. You are given 2 hours to complete this exam that is made up of 100 questions including True/False and Multiple Choice.
Once you’re allocated a username & password you will have 3-months access to the e-learning platform. You will be able to take the exam at any time of your choice during this period, although all of the modules and their associated self-assessments must first be completed.
You only have one opportunity to write the exam and so delegates are advised to be sure that they’re ready to attempt it.
What is the pass mark?
In order to pass the exam you need to achieve a minimum of 75%. Once you’ve passed you will be issued with a Certificate and be added to the APSO Entrance Exam delegate list on the APSO website. You will also be entitled to join the Employment Services Certification Institute (ESCI) and begin your journey to professionalization including attaining a professional designation and embarking on continuous professional development (CPD).
Is there any training provided?
In order to make the exam as accessible to everyone, APSO has chosen to entirely conduct the new Entrance Exam online within PREP, the e-learning platform. All learning material as well as links to other supplementary reading is available online. As a result, no formal training session/lecture is required as previously done under IPSC.
What does it cost?
Currently the APSO entrance exam costs R450 excl VAT per delegate and includes 3 months access to the e-learning platform for course material and exam fee.
Should you not pass the exam the first time, a re-write fee of R180 excl VAT will be levied per delegate.
How do I enroll for the exam?
An online enrolment form is available on the website. Once you’ve forwarded your enrolment, our Training Coordinator will be in touch with an invoice and further instructions. Once payment has been received, you will receive your username & password as well as a user guide for PREP to enable you to log into PREP to begin your studies towards passing the APSO Entrance Exam and achieving your certificate.
