There are two exams both digital and held online and always at designated sites with an examination proctor.
The exams are in three sections and a short stretch break can be held after the first section which takes 90 minutes. The exams should not take longer than four and a half hours if there are no difficulties.
All examination applications have to be made at the IAC website, receive approval and payment made online.
Deadline for applications is normally four weeks before the exam.
- IAC International Board of Cytopathology examination for medical members (MIAC) with at least two years of membership, this costs €450.
https://www.cytology-iac.org/iac-examinations/international-board-of-cytopathology/ - The IAC Comprehensive Cytotechnology Registration Examination for CT(IAC), suitable for cytotechnicians with at least three years of experience in all body sites, this costs €90. Registrants with a medical degree can not be accepted.
https://www.cytology-iac.org/cytotechnologists/ct-exam-application/
Examples of the exam question
The Academy has a “Mock Exam” to test and understand how the exam works. Each registrant has to try this in advance so they are registered as a User at the digital platform
https://www.cytology-iac.org/iac-mock-exams-have-a-go-at-the-new-digital-format/
WHAT IS NEEDED TO HOST THE EXAMS?
- An exam proctor. The IAC make a final decision about the proctor. A local CT(IAC)/CMIAC may sometimes be allowed to proctor, a zoom meeting with the IAC in advance is necessary.
- A (hopefully) quiet room is required with tables for spacing each participant as well as an electric socket for the laptops.
- Good and stable Wi-Fi is required.
- The registrants will be asked to bring their own laptops and charging cables to view and answer the questions.
- A projector is needed at the beginning to show instructions.
- It is advisable to have a spare laptop available for anyone having problems accessing the digital exam site or problems with their own laptop.
The Exam format
• Before accessing the exam each registrant has to enroll with their name and enroll number that is supplied by the IAC.
• All questions are online with multiple choice answers
• The examinations are in three sections and a short break should be planned after the first 90 minute session.
o 90 Minutes for digital slides
o 35 Minutes for visual images
o 90 Minutes for written questions
• The examination online links to each exam platform are provided to the registrants on the day. The proctor must treat this information confidentially both before and after the exam.
The host society will receive a list of registrants in advance. This is the sign-in sheet. Each registrant should read and control that the IAC has their correct postal details noted or make necessary corrections and sign-in.
The digital exam portal has to be opened by the IAC to allow access for the registrants. A WhatsApp group is often formed with a representative of the IAC to assist if necessary.
REQUIRED INFORMATION TO BE PASSED TO EACH REGISTRANT AFTER APPROVAL FROM THIS OFFICE, EACH REGISTRANTS IS INFORMED BY EMAIL.
THIS INFORMATION MUST BE PROVIDED BY THE HOST SOCIETY
1 We need to know the exact room and location for each registrant to sign-in
2 We need to know the time to sign-in and for explanations and questions
3 We need to know the contact details of a local on site contact to pass on to the registrants so they can get in touch if they are delayed.
4. It can also be useful to provide information about public transport and local hotels.
INFORMATION PROVIDED FOR THE REGISTRANTS BY THE IAC
1. We ask each registrant to pre-register at the SmartZoom digital exam website in order to create a User account
2. Ask each registrant to try the mock exam in order to be sure their laptop can upload the digital question fast enough, we also suggest they use the mock exam as practice.
3. The Academy provides the individual Enroll numbers for each registrant and informs them.
PLEASE USE THE FORM BELOW IF YOUR SOCIETY WISHES TO HOLD THE IAC EXAM(S) AND PROVIDE THE NECESSARY INFORMATION.