Grades and Marking
Marked out of
one thousand
Our examinations are marked out of 1000. We do not vary the paper by grade. All candidates in a discipline sit the same questions, and the marks obtained determine the grade awarded.
Candidates who sit the written examination alone are marked out of 500. Within that range, the Fifth to the First Grade are awarded.
Candidates who continue to the practical assessment are marked out of 1000, written and practical combined. A total of 600 or above earns accreditation as a specialist.
By written examination
Within five hundred marks
The written examination is marked out of 500. The Fifth to the First Grade are awarded according to the marks obtained.
| Grade | Marks | Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Grade I First Grade |
450+ | Able to judge and act independently in demanding international settings. |
| Grade II Second Grade |
400+ | Able to apply understanding with confidence in professional situations. |
| Grade III Third Grade |
300+ | Able to conduct oneself appropriately in social and business settings. |
| Grade IV Fourth Grade |
200+ | Beginning to connect foundational understanding to real situations. |
| Grade V Fifth Grade |
100+ | Holds a sound grasp of the fundamentals of international protocol. |
Out of one thousand
Six hundred marks and above
Candidates who sit the practical assessment are marked out of 1000, written and practical combined. A total of 600 or above earns accreditation as a specialist.
| Accreditation | Total | Standing |
|---|---|---|
| Elite Specialist | 900+ | The highest accreditation of this association, granted to those who demonstrate exceptional knowledge, presence and capacity to instruct. |
| Advanced Specialist | 800+ | Holds advanced expertise and practical command, qualified to instruct and advise at the most senior international level. |
| Accredited Specialist | 700+ | Accredited as a specialist in international protocol, authorised to instruct and advise under the association’s endorsement. |
| Certified Specialist | 600+ | Formally accredited as a specialist in international protocol. All specialist privileges take effect from the date of accreditation. |
Learning continues
Accreditation reflects attainment at the time of examination.
Examination content is revised for each sitting. The shape of international life shifts, and what is asked of those who move within it shifts with it. Where a candidate sits again, the accreditation is updated to the most recent result.
An education is not something acquired once and set aside. This association is built on that understanding.
Sitting the examination
Review the disciplines, then apply for the one you wish to sit.
Preparation may be undertaken at ICPA, the International Protocol Academy.