If you are a complete newbie, you will probably have to sit all three levels of both qualifications to become a full member of both. Both cover pretty much the same subject matter so no one is any easier than the other.
As regarding time to complete each one, it depends on yourself but the ICB exams can be taken quicker as they are on demand, as you can sit them when they are ready either at an exam centre or at home. The IAB exams all have to be taken at an exam centre at certain times although this is eventually meant to be changing).
The fact that the ICB can be done at home, and the fact that it doesnt follow OFQUAL, mean that other bodies do not recognise qualifications from the ICB where as they do from the IAB.
there are other various positives and negatives for each, have a look around this site, and both body's websites to get acleare picture.
Nick
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Nick
Nick Craggs FMAAT ACA AAT Distance Learning Manager
The IAB do have on demand exams, but because they are done under exam conditions its up to the centres to arrange them and many find it easier to stick to the normal exam dates. IAB qualifications also tend to be available at colleges, and also can be done under an approved apprenticeship scheme so government funding may be available.
So if a student can find (pay for) an exam centre, they can sit any exam when they want, like the AAT, but still have the benefit of having a qualification recognised under exam conditions?
Do many do this? As this gives distance learning providers a great advantage over colleges, who determine that everyone will be ready to sit the exam when in the week they say that they have finished the course.
Nick
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Nick
Nick Craggs FMAAT ACA AAT Distance Learning Manager
No Nick, thats not what I said. Its the training centres who can organise the on demand exams - even the colleges, not just distance learning. Any training centre that can arrange for a group of students to take the exam at the same time can have on demand exams under exam conditions.
They do it this way to make sure students don't have the oportunity to cheat and tell each other what is in the exam and it would be too expensive for the IAB to allow only one person only to take the on demand exam when they want at any exam centre.
