This test is developed for ISO management system standards ("MSS") professionals such as middle and senior management personnel, responsible persons (as defined under clause 5.3), internal auditors, third party certification body auditors and advisors/consultants who are instrumental in the effectiveness of the MSS implementation.
It is a multiple choice test designed with three outcomes:
An ISTO Test focuses not only on understanding the requirements of a standard but is also designed to ensure that those who pass the test have demonstrated a knowledge of the underlying management system principles, definitions, applicability, distinguishing requirements from unspecified requirements and the standard's practical implementation.
Employers of ISO 14001 EMS auditors/consultants/tutors would find the ISTO TOU certification a good benchmark in their selection process, as the ISTO TOU adds value to the organizations' performance excellence and consistency. A course tutor with an ISTO TOU credential is able to offer learners a more accurate and comprehensive presentation of the standard.
The ISTO TOU consists of multiple choice questions with four (4) possible options of which only one (1) represents the 'best' option. The ISTO TOU is a closed-book online test, however candidates are allowed to refer to an unmarked copy of the respective ISO standard which is the only permitted reference material during the test. In an online test, the standard copy will be provided in a separate window, in addition to the test window.
| Section | No. of questions | Focused area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 30 | Principles and definitions, applicability, clause 4.3 |
| 2 | 30 | Management system requirements based on clauses 4, 5, 6, 9 and 10 (except clause 4.3) |
| 3 | 30 | Operational requirements based on clauses 7 and 8 |
| 4 | 30 | Six (6) scenarios with five (5) questions each focusing on the practical aspects of the requirements of the standard |
Candidates who meet the Pass criteria at 70% will be awarded a Certificate of Achievement. All candidates will receive the A C C U R A T E analytics report indicating their level of understanding and relative ranking in each of the eight (8) domains in the star diagram.
Based on ISTO's research, endorsed by the ISTO Technical Advisory Board, the level of comprehension of an ISO management system standard can be grouped into eight (8) domains of understanding. These form the acronym A C C U R A T E.
Ac: an Actual requirement in the standard related to documentation.
Co: Concept - the management principles on which the management system standard is based. This includes the sequence of activities as required in the standard.
C: the unique Clause reference of a specific requirement in the ISO management system standard
U: an Unspecified requirement in the standard (a requirement that does not exist).
R: a certain Requirement in the Standard (i.e. the text of the requirement).
A: the Applicability of the standard. This includes the intent of a requirement, and the scope of the standard.
T: Terms and definitions used in the standard. Generally these are defined in Clause 3 of each ISO management system standard. In the case of ISO 9001 QMS, terms and definitions are defined in the ISO 9000 standard.
E: an Erroneous requirement in the standard related to documentation.
Make the next move with ISTO.
Take the free trial test and get results instantly.