APELFAQ | WOU

Frequently Asked Questions

APEL.A

What is APEL?

Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) is a systematic
process that involves the identification, documentation and assessment of
prior experiential learning i.e. knowledge, skills and attitudes, to
determine the extent to which an individual has achieved the desired
learning outcomes, for admission/access to a programme of study and/or
award of credits. Learners can base their applications on any combinations
of formal, non-formal and informal learning.

Which levels of study are offered for APEL.A application and assessment
in WOU?

The following three levels of study are offered for APEL.A application
and assessment in WOU:

Master’s Degree Programme
Bachelor’s Degree Programme
Diploma Programme

What are the APEL.A application criteria?

The APEL.A application criteria are listed below:

Programme at Master’s Degree level
The applicant shall be
30 years of age in the year of application with
at least STPM/Diploma/equivalent qualifications and
must possess relevant work experience.
Programme at Bachelor’s Degree level
The applicant shall be
21 years of age in the year of application and must
possess relevant work experience.
Programme at Diploma level
The applicant shall be
20 years of age in the year of application and must
possess relevant work experience.

How long would the APEL.A assessment take to complete?

The APEL.A assessment may take as long as two to four months to complete.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply for APEL.A certification six
months prior to the date of admission into the intended institution and
programme.

Master’s Degree level
Minimum period of three months
from the date of submission of complete application.
Bachelor’s Degree level
Minimum period of two months
from the date of submission of complete application.
Diploma level
Minimum period of two months from the
date of submission of complete application.

The minimum periods stated above are only an estimate for the evaluation
process, without there being repetition of any assessment components due to
failure. RepetitiPortfo evaluation period. The evaluation period therefore
depends on the individual applicants.

How to submit APEL.A application to WOU?

APEL.A application can be submitted via WOU’s APEL.A Portal at
https://myapel.wou.edu.my/

For applicants who would like to undergo APEL.A assessment in WOU but pursue
their tertiary studies in other institutions, application / registration via
MQA’s APEL Portal (https://www2.mqa.gov.my/apel_a/</a >) is required before the submission of application via WOU’s APEL.A Portal.

The application / registration form is the evidence to be presented for
WOU’s verification and validation process.

How much are the fees for APEL.A assessment?

The fees for APEL.A assessment are listed below:

	Levels	Fees (RM)
1	Master’s Degree level	370
2	Bachelor’s Degree level	250
3	Diploma level	155

What are the components in the APEL.A assessment and their
weightages?

The components in the APEL.A assessment and the weightages for various
levels are listed below:

Master’s Degree level Aptitude Test (40%) > Portfolio (50%) >
Interview (10%)
Bachelor’s Degree level Aptitude Test (30%) > Portfolio (70%)
Diploma level Aptitude Test (100%) > Portfolio (Must fulfil the set
criteria.)

What is Aptitude Test?
Aptitude Test is a formal examination which the applicant must pass.
Aptitude Test is to assess the knowledge and competencies of an applicant in
the aspects of numerical literacy, languages and general knowledge /
critical thinking.

What is the duration for the Aptitude Test?
test durations are listed below:

	Levels	Duration
1	Master’s Degree level	2 hours & 30 minutes
2	Bachelor’s Degree level	2 hours
3	Diploma level	2 hours

What are the weightages and structures of the Aptitude Test?

Master’s Degree level – Weightage: 40% Structure

Sections	Number of Questions
Numerical Literacy / Mathematics	Part A: 25 objective questions Part B: 1 structured question
English Literacy	Part A: 12 objective questions Part B: 1 structured question
Bahasa Malaysia Literacy	Part A: 13 objective questions Part B: 1 structured question
General Knowledge / Critical Thinking	Part A: 25 objective questions Part B: 2 structured questions

Bachelor’s Degree level – Weightage: 40% Structure

Sections	Number of Questions
Numerical Literacy / Mathematics	10 objective questions
English Literacy	10 objective questions
Bahasa Malaysia Literacy	10 objective questions
General Knowledge / Critical Thinking	10 objective questions

Diploma level – Weightage: 100% Structure

Sections	Number of Questions
Numerical Literacy / Mathematics	10 objective questions
English Literacy	10 objective questions
Bahasa Malaysia Literacy	10 objective questions
General Knowledge / Critical Thinking	10 objective questions

What is Portfolio?

Portfolio is a compilation that documents the prior experiences of an
applicant which include formal, informal and non-formal learning.
Portfolio must be prepared in English.

What are examples of evidence for APEL.A application and Portfolio?

Below are listed the examples of evidence that can be used to support
APEL.A application and Portfolio:

Direct Evidence	Indirect Evidence
Certificates	Written Records
Work Samples	Email
Records of Workplace Activities	Supporting Letters
Documents

For further details, please refer to Appendix 4 in the ‘APEL.A Learners’
Handbook’.

What are the resources made available for the Aptitude Test and
Portfolio?

Specimen questions and Portfolio guidelines are made available on the
APEL.A page for applicants to make the necessary preparations for the
Aptitude Test and Portfolio.

What is an Interview?

Interview is only applicable for APEL.A assessment at the Master’s Degree
level. Applicants are required to present their Portfolio to a panel of
assessors and explain their acquired learning in greater detail, which will
be conducted in the form of an interview and carries a weightage of 10% of
total assessment marks.

What is the passing mark?

The passing marks for each component and overall score is at least 50% of
the total marks.

Is appeal for APEL results allowed?

Yes, applicants who have failed the Aptitude Test may appeal for a review or
apply for a re-sitting. Applicants who have failed the Portfolio assessment
(only for Master’s Degree and Bachelor’s Degree levels) may re-submit the
Portfolio for another assessment. However, this re-submission can only be
made at least six months after the date of notification of APEL.A results.

Will applicants who passed the APEL.A assessment be issued any
certificate/document?

An official notification letter to inform the results will be issued to the
applicant by MQA or the APEL Assessment Centre. Applicants who have passed
the APEL.A assessment will be awarded the APEL certification by MQA, which
can be used to apply for admission into any of the Higher Education
Institutions (HEIs) in Malaysia.

What is the use of APEL certification?

APEL certification can only be used by applicants for the purpose of
furthering their studies at HEIs. It is not the awarding of qualifications
like the academic programme at HEIs. The APEL certificate also cannot be
used for employment purposes.For example: APEL Certificate for Master’s
level (Level 7) can only be used to apply for admission to HEIs to further
their studies at Master’s level. It is not an award for a Master’s programme
as issued by the HEI.

Does the APEL certificate have a validity period?

Currently, there is no validity period for APEL certificates and is
applicable at any time.

Where can applicants refer to for more information about APEL.A
assessment?

Applicants can refer to the ‘APEL.A Learners Handbook’ and the MQA APEL
website (https://www2.mqa.gov.my/apel/</a >).

APEL.C

What is APEL.C?APEL for Credit Award [APEL.C] is the award of credits through prior experiential learning towards a course in an accredited programme offered by a Higher Education Provider (HEP).

Why students are encouraged to apply for APEL.C?The benefits of applying for APEL.C are as follows:

To provide recognition for learning acquired from non-formal and informal sources.
To reduce the duplication of learning, or learning of the same or similar contents.
To encourage the participation of adults in higher education by recognising their prior experiential learning in the form of credits awarded.
To potentially reduce the time and costs of completing a programme of study.

What are the APEL.C application criteria?APEL.C is applicable to:

Learners registered at any Higher Education Institutions regardless of the mode of entry, whether through the conventional or APEL(A) route.
All areas and levels of qualification in the MQF.
Postgraduate level of study; the credit award is limited only to the courses in programmes conducted via coursework and mixed modes.
All courses except for final year project-based courses and dissertations.
Industrial training which includes practicum can be considered based on the suitability of the field.

What are the APEL.C processes?APEL.C is applicable to:

Self-Assessment
APEL.C Assessments (Challenge Test and/or Portfolio Submission)
Eligibility for credit transferFor Challenge Test or Portfolio assessment, students would need to achieve at least 50% of each course learning outcome being assessed for the credits to be awarded.
Claim procedure (for successful outcomes)

What are the possible evidences that can be used to support applicants’ APEL.C application?APEL.C is applicable to:

Direct Evidence	Indirect Evidence
Certificates	Written Records
Work Samples	Email
Records of Workplace Activities	Supporting Letters
Documents

How long would the APEL.C assessment take to complete?The APEL(A) assessment is estimated to take 30-40 days upon submission of the complete documentation.

What is the maximum limit of APEL.C applications? The maximum limit of APEL.C applications is 30% of the minimum graduating credits of a specific programme of study. This percentage is in addition to the credit transfer provision based on the existing formal credit transfer policy.The 60% maximum limit for vertical credit transfer (MQF 4 to MQF 6) on both formal and APEL.C credit transfer remains.

What are the APEL.C assessment instruments? For the APEL.C assessment, students can opt to undertake either a Challenge Test or submission of Portfolio depending on the nature of the course and upon advice by the appointed Advisor.

What is Challenge Test?Challenge Test is a proctored standard test to assess if the learner has achieved the course learning outcomes. A Challenge Test can be in the form of a written test, oral examination and/or performance assessment, depending on the nature and discipline of the course.

What is Portfolio submission?A Portfolio is a formal document that contains a compilation of evidence documenting the prior experiential learning of a learner and his/her articulation of learning acquired over a period of time.

What is the eligibility for credit transfer via APEL.C?For Challenge Test or Portfolio assessment, students would need to achieve at least 50% of each course learning outcome being assessed for the credits to be awarded.

Is appeal for APEL.C results allowed? Yes. Appeal for APEL.C course result is allowed but it involves re-marking of the marked answer script (Challenge Test) or Portfolio by another Assessor. However, the following are not allowed for any appeal case:

Submission of new evidence for the Portfolio assessment.
The student who fails the Challenge Test of a specific course will not be allowed to submit Portfolio for assessment for the same course and vice versa.
Resubmission of Portfolio or reattempt of Challenge Test for the same course.

Where can students refer to for more information about APEL.C?Students can refer to WOU’s ‘Student Handbook for APEL.C’ and ‘Guidelines to Good Practices: APEL.C’.