How the course, the tests and the certificate work

Reading

All thirteen chapters are open to everyone, in any order, as web pages, in the app and as downloadable PDFs. Each chapter opens with a narrated video introduction and an overview, and is divided into eight sections. Every section starts with its own narrated video lesson (with English captions, an audio-only option and the full transcript), then a short, simple explanation of the idea, then a summary of what you need to know, then the full treatment with diagrams, worked examples, decision guides and checklists, and ends with questions to check your understanding, the sources used and links to related sections. Intermediate and advanced sections also open with a “Before you read this” box listing the earlier sections and terms they rely on, and newcomers can follow the path for beginners. People who already work with software can follow the route for experienced learners, which takes the same chapters in the same order. A Beginner mode switch on every section page folds the most technical tables and code until you ask for them, and each chapter from Chapter 1 opens with five quick, unmarked “Am I ready for this chapter?” questions.

The chapter tests

Each chapter has an optional test of 20 multiple-choice questions and 2 written answers. The questions are drawn at random from a private bank of more than sixty per chapter, spread across all eight sections, so no two attempts are the same. Some multiple-choice questions ask you to choose several answers, to put steps in the right order or to read a diagram. Multiple choice is worth 70% of the mark and the written answers 30%.

To pass a chapter test you need 80% overall and at least 2 out of 5 on each written answer. If you do not pass, the result tells you which sections to revise, and you can try again with different questions after ten minutes. When you pass, you also see the correct answers and explanations for anything you got wrong. Your best score is kept.

How written answers are marked

Each written question shows the criteria it is marked against, worth 5 marks in total. An AI marker applies those criteria to what your answer actually says, at a fixed setting so that it marks consistently. Answers shorter than the stated minimum are not marked, and answers that try to instruct the marker score nothing. If you think a mark is wrong, you can ask for a second marking within 24 hours; the higher of the two marks counts. If a question itself seems wrong or unclear, report it from the test page and it will be checked.

Your progress and your resume code

You do not need an account. Your reading progress is kept in your browser. When you start your first test you receive a resume code made of twelve random letters and numbers. Your test scores are kept on our server against that code, with no name, email or other personal details until you claim a certificate. Enter the code on another device to carry on there. Keep the code private: anyone who has it can see your scores and continue as you.

The final assessment and the certificate

When you have passed all thirteen chapter tests, the final assessment opens: 60 multiple-choice questions drawn from the whole course and a case study, in which you are given a realistic brief and design an architecture for it, with quality attribute scenarios, a choice of style with reasons, a container-level description, decision records and a list of risks. The case study is marked against a published rubric.

The final examination has 60 questions and a pass mark of 70%; the case study is marked out of 50 and needs 25 to pass. The full rules, the case study rubric and how grades are worked out are on the About the course page.

Successful learners receive a Be Wise Certificate of Completion showing their name as they enter it, the date, the grade (Pass, Merit or Distinction) and a unique certificate number, with a link that anyone, such as an employer, can use to check it. To make that check possible we keep the name, date, grade and number. The certificate records that you passed this course’s assessments. It is not an accredited qualification and is not issued by a university or professional body.

ArchitectBot

ArchitectBot is an AI study assistant. It answers from the course first and searches the web for anything newer. It can make mistakes, and it will help you understand a topic rather than answer a test question for you.