•  Function Point Analysis is the accepted industry standard for the measurement of Business Information processing applications. The method must be applied consistently to produce accurate Function Point Counts.

• To ensure that this is achieved, UKSMA have introduced the MK II certification examination.

• This formal recognition will let your employer and/or customer know that you have achieved the high standard expected by the examination board

The following preparation is recommended:

• Study the latest version of the Mk II Counting Practices Manual

• Attend the UKSMA tutorial ‘Preparation for the UKSMA Mk II Examination’. These are held during the Autumn Conference Tutorial day, subject to demand.

• All practitioners of the MK II method are eligible to sit the examination.

•  A good command of English is required, however if English is not your first language then additional time to complete the examination may be awarded.

• Membership of UKSMA or another recognised national metrics organisation is strongly recommended.

The examination will last for three hours and is    ‘open book’. It consists of three parts, as follows:

• Part one tests your knowledge of the rules and is multi choice answer.

•  Part two tests your ability to apply the rules to specific scenarios and again is multi answer

• Part three is a case study

A 90% pass mark is required in each of the three sections. It is important that ALL questions are attempted in order to be awarded an overall pass.

• It is recommended that candidates have counted at least 16,000 function points in a variety of application types.

• A good knowledge of the latest version of the Mk II Counting Practices Manual is required

• Attendance at a formal course is not a pre-requisite

• If English is not your native language or  it is not the normal business language of your country then an additional half hour will be allowed.

• This must be agreed prior to the examination being taken

• Examinations are held during the Autumn Conference Tutorial days, subject to demand.

• Regional sessions may be held at other times during the year as required.

• By special arrangement, examinations may be held on Company Premises. A minimum of four entrants are required.

• This is a life time award and re-certification is not required.

• The Metrics Practices sub-Committee (MPC) of UKSMA administers the examination.

• Two members of the Examination Sub-Committee of the MPC will mark the papers.

• Candidates will be advised of the results within eight weeks.

• Feedback will be provided on request.

• Successful candidates will receive their certificate from UKSMA

• Contact UKSMA certification for an application form or download it from the website.

•  UKSMA contact details are given below.

• Enclose the required fee (January 2012) as follows:

  •  UKSMA Members £150

  • Non-UKSMA Members £200

  • Re-takes - £100

• The above fees are for examinations booked two weeks before the examination date.

• An additional £25 will be charged for late bookings.

• The latest examination fees are shown on the UKSMA website

• If you are unsuccessful you will be able to re-sit the examination at a reduced rate

•  Examinations are reviewed annually; therefore it is only possible to re-sit the examination twelve months from the original date.

• The examination may be re-sat once at a reduced rate. If the first retake is not successful then the full fee will be applied for subsequent retakes.

• The UK Software Metrics Association was founded in 1988 and is a non-profit making organisation. It is run by volunteers from a number of UK Companies with a common interest in the application and analysis of software metrics.

• The Metrics Practices Committee (MPC) is a major working committee for UKSMA and is the design authority for the MkII FPA method. It is involved in the promotion of the use of software metrics by publishing papers and general guidance with respect to good practice in software measurement

• All members of the MPC have been involved in the collection and analysis of software metrics over a number of years

Contact Details:

•  E-Mail; certification@uksma.co.uk 

• Web Site: http://www.uksma.co.uk