Open-book exams for ITIL (Version 5) advanced modules: instilling and validating practical abilities

Adam Griffith – ITIL Architect, PeopleCert

Previous versions of the post-ITIL Foundation level exams – apart from ITIL v3 Practitioner – used a closed-book format. That has changed with ITIL (Version 5). Here, ITIL Architect Adam Griffith explains the rationale behind open-book exams and provides tips for advanced module exam candidates.

For me – and, I would imagine, other ITIL v3 Intermediate and Expert candidates – exam preparation was very intense.

The bulk of pre-examination activity centered on memorizing a lot of information, including list after list of critical success factors and key performance indicators. Ironically, while this was helpful for the exam, I’m not sure it equipped me with real-world capabilities.

Back in the workplace, I had the ability to analyze a given situation, but what the training and exam didn’t give me was the ability to think critically. This was something I had to develop myself, through trial and error.

One common area of feedback we heard frequently ahead of developing and launching ITIL (Version 5) was about ITIL exams being so focused on memorization; the lack of testing for real-world skills application was something the community felt weakened the credibility of the certification.

Therefore, with ITIL (Version 5) higher-level modules, examination is not only about knowing and understanding concepts, but also about how to apply them in practice.

In that context, having open-book exams makes much more sense.

Open-book exams and ITIL (Version 5): validating the ability to take action

Providing open-book exams for higher-level ITIL (Version 5) modules encourages candidates to treat the guidance not as course books to be learned by rote but as reference material; a practical guide to applying critical thinking to real-world scenarios, based on living sources of information and best practice approaches.

This way, the exams simultaneously validate candidates’ knowledge and how they apply it, thus more closely replicating the professional environments practitioners operate in.

We believe this elevates the credibility and practicality of the certifications; employers should know that potential candidates with these accreditations are qualified to take meaningful action in their organizations.

And, concerning practicality, one of ITIL (Version 5)’s fundamental tenets is “baking” it into the framework by design.

While the practice guides and extension modules in ITIL 4 started the shift to greater practicality, the latest version has it innately integrated. And this lends itself to having open-book exams and a higher grade of questions within the advanced ITIL (Version 5) exams.

For some observers, having an electronic book with a search functionality in an exam must make the examination process less rigorous. But, at this level, the book is – to reiterate – a reference point to help candidates determine and validate the right course of action; not providing a verbatim answer, but rather the tools to help evaluate the best answer.

The reaction so far from the community to ITIL (Version 5) open-book exams has been positive. Training partners have been notably encouraging, clearly wanting their courses to ensure trainees take away not only the what and why of ITIL (Version 5), but also the how.

Advanced ITIL (Version 5) exams – hints and tips

1. Be more than just familiar with the advanced module’s book
Studying the advanced ITIL module books so you are thoroughly aware of where to find certain topics in the book is essential. That means, when taking the exam, you will already be in command of where to locate relevant references.

2. Recognizing anchor topics/concepts
Ensure you know which sections feature any anchor topics and concepts, such as the ITIL Guiding Principles as universal truths that are consistently beneficial to adopt in any situation as a frame of reference.

3. Take your time with the fictional scenarios
Decoding the scenario built into the exams needs careful, not rushed, consideration. Whether it’s examining the ITIL Car Rental case study or other scenario information contained in an exam question, it needs methodical thinking rather than a knee-jerk reaction to understand what the question expects in response.

4. Manage the clock
With open-book exams, there’s a temptation to validate every answer you choose by accessing a relevant section of the book. While that’s always an option, it can put you under added time pressure. Instead, gauge your level of confidence across each question and decide when to trust your knowledge without referencing the book. Taking a “no-look” approach in some instances can ensure you finish the whole exam within the time limit.

Taking ITIL (Version 5) back to work

I’m sorry, did I mention practicality? With special reference to the ITIL Transformation module, this clearly represents how the content in ITIL’s latest version is all about taking practical action and supports the open-book exam approach.

Professionals returning to the workplace post-exam with an ITIL (Version 5) certification are enabled with practical, critical thinking capabilities rather than an overloaded short-term memory, after cramming for a closed-book exam.