The Portfolio of Evidence (PoE) is a type of assessment used in all of our ICB Courses. This determines whether a student is competent to write the final exam as well as enter the workplace.
Each ICB subject that a student completes will have a PoE. You have to pass the PoE to continue to write the final exam. The PoE will determine whether you are competent to write the final exam. ICB has (2) two ways that you can write the final exam:
- Online exams
- Paper-based exams
Online Exams
In 2021 ICB decided to go online with their exams. This was due to the global pandemic. Physical venues were fully booked and ICB had to adhere to COVID-19 protocols. If you are a face-to-face student, then you can register for the online exam through your college. If you are a distance learning student, you can apply for the online exam through the ICB Student Portal.
Paper-Based Exams
These exams have been in existence since the beginning of time and are still an option for both face-to-face students and distance learning students. If you are a distance learning student, you can apply through the ICB Student Portal. If you are a face-to-face student, your college with register you for the final exam.
Why Should I Study Via Distance Learning?
You should study via distance learning for the following reasons:
- You can work and study
- You can register any time of the year
- Distance learning is COVID – 19 friendly because you do not interact physically with people
- You will receive your study material through distance learning
- You can study at your own pace
- You will become self-disciplined because you will be your biggest motivation
How Are Portfolios of Evidence Assessed In ICB?
Your Portfolios of Evidence will be assessed by ICB. They have strict ways of assessing your PoE. If you fail, you can apply for a new PoE, but it will be different from the one you have completed previously. This keeps up with the high standards that they have.
ICB uses these (2) marks:
- Your PoE marks
- Your final exam mark
Your Portfolio of Evidence counts 30% towards your final mark. The PoE consists of the work that you have done while you were preparing for your final exam. The preparation includes things like completing assignments, tests and other work.
To pass a subject, you have to get an average mark of 60% to pass your course.
Your final exam counts 70% towards your final mark. You have to get a minimum of 50% for your final exam, to pass the course.
With each subject, you have to go through (3) three learning stages. Each stage consists of learning material.
After stage 1 you will have to complete an ICB assignment and the same applies to stage 2. After the assignments have been completed, you will also complete an open book test.
The final stage consists of the last assignment and the final exam. The final exam counts the most marks. Here is a table explaining the process:
| Stage 1 | Stage 2 | Stage 3 |
| Assignment 1 | Assignment 2 | Assignment 3 |
| Test 1 | Test 2 | Test 3 |
This comprehensive way of learning will prepare you for your final exam and is also a great way to practice for the final ICB exams.
What Does The ICB Portfolio Of Evidence Consist Of?
The Portfolio of Evidence consists of:
- two (2) open book tests
- (3) assignments
- Answering books
- An Administrative Guide
Here is an image that explains what the PoE consists of as well as how the marks are calculated:
How Many Portfolios of Evidence Will I Receive?
You will receive a PoE for each subject that you complete. For example, the Bookkeeping: ICB National Certificate has only (3) three subjects, which means that you will get (3) three PoE’s. Here is a table explaining how this works for each subject:
| Subjects | PoE |
| Bookkeeping to Trial Balance | 3 X Assignments 2 X Tests 1 X Final Exam |
| Business Management 1 | 3 X Assignments 2 X Tests 1 X Final Exam |
| Business Literacy | 3 X Assignments 2 X Tests 1 X Final Exam |
When Will I Get My PoE?
You will get your PoE as soon as you register for the final exams. Once you have successfully registered on the ICB Student Portal, you can get your Digital Portfolio of Evidence on ICB Macci. This is where you will see the subjects that you are registered for. You will need internet or data to complete your assessments. There are some assessments that can be completed offline.
Once you have completed the assessments, you will get immediate feedback, which will show you which answers you got wrong. This also applied to the tests that you write. If you pass your PoE with 50% you qualify to write the final exam. This can also be done online, but it has a scheduled time.
When Do I Submit The PoE?
Previously, the PoE would be submitted at the exam venue and on the day of the final exams. However, today you have an option of submitting your PoE at the physical exam venue or on the ICB Student Portal.
What Is The Main Purpose Of The ICB Portfolio Of Evidence?
The main purpose of the ICB PoE is that it allows students the opportunity to get quality education, the best chances of passing the final exam successfully, and even passing a subject for the first time.
It also helps ICB to ensure that you get a comprehensive understanding of your course. Not only will you get an ICB Qualification, but you will also learn skills that will assist you in knowing how to complete the duties of your future career.
What Are Examples Of Portfolio Of Evidence?
Examples of PoE’s are:
- Documentation of observations
- Assessment plans
- Evidence of questioning
- Written evidence
- Feedback from an assessor
What Are The 3 Types Of Portfolios?
Here are the (3) three types of portfolios:
- Assessment portfolios
- Working portfolios
- Display portfolios
How Can Portfolios Be Used For Assessment?
Portfolios can be used for assessment, as it used in ICB to determine whether students are ready for the final exam. Portfolios can also be used to showcase your work to potential employers.
How Do You Create A Portfolio Of Evidence?
In a general PoE, you simply document images and physical products of your work. For ICB PoE you will not create your own PoE. ICB will create them for you. You only need to complete the PoE’s.
What Are The Pros And Cons Of A PoE?
Here are the pros and cons of a PoE:
| Pros of a PoE | Cons of a PoE |
| You can show some of your best work. | Your best work might not be the best work for employers. |
| You can document your progress. | If you lose the PoE you lose the work that you have completed. |
| You can practice your skills with a PoE. | Your work may seem repetitive. |
What Is The Difference Between A Portfolio Evidence And A CV?
Here are the differences between a PoE and a CV:
| Portfolio of Evidence | CV |
| It is the actual work that you can show potential employers. | Give details in written form of what work experience you have. |
| Does not explain everything you did to get the end product. | Explains what you have done to be where you are today. |
| Is a folder with your actual work. | Are papers that explain your work experience. |
What Is Another Word For Portfolio?
Another word for the portfolio is the collection of documents.
What Is An Ideal Portfolio?
An ideal portfolio matches what the employer wants. To get the ideal portfolio, you have to research the company and determine what it is that they expect you to do.
Can I Buy The Ideal PoE From Another ICB Student?
No, you cannot buy the ordeal PoE from another ICB student. ICB has high standards and will identify if you are submitting someone else’s work as your own. This is also an illegal act, and you can get suspended from college or disbarred from the exams. To get the ideal PoE you need to be interested, dedicated and passionate about the ICB Course that you would like to complete.
Application Process
If you would like to apply for any of our courses, you can follow this application process:
Step 1: Apply
In our first step of the application process, you should try to make contact with us. Here is how you can contact us:
- Book a call
- Chat with us on WhatsApp
- Register online
- Give us a call on 012 762 7100
Step 2: Ask Questions
In the second step of the application process, you will speak to one of our friendly Course Experts in your preferred language. Combined, our Course Experts speak up to 11 languages. You may ask them all the questions that you have about the course that you are interested in.
Step 3: Become A Student
In the final step of the application process, you will make a decision about the field of study you would like to enter. You make the final decision and our Course Expert will complete the registration process with you. This means that you will officially become a student at Matric College.
Author: Jesmé Africa
Editor: Amy Venter
Date Published: May 25, 2022