Written Test

Regular and atypical applicants are required to undergo the written test portion of the Registered Qualification Examination in addition to the portfolio interview. Seniority applicants are exempt from the written test portion of the exam, except for the Rules of Professional Conduct section (as of April 26, 2008) and this section has a 75% passing mark.

The written portion of the exam is held 4 times a year in Toronto in May and November, and in Ottawa in February and August.

Additional administrations of the written test may take place in locations more than three hours travel time from Toronto and where there are 5 or more approved candidates.

There are four sections of the written test:
A design history, principles and research (open book)
B business (closed book)
C technology (closed book)
D Rules of Professional Conduct (closed book)

The written test consists of multiple choice questions. There are four choices per multiple choice question, one of which is the correct answer.

Further details on the written test including sample questions, suggested text and a sample timetable are included in the Handbook for the Registered Graphic Designers Qualification Examination. Download it now.

New: Passing Mark for Rules of Professional Conduct

Both the Examination Board and RGD Ontario Boards of Directors recently voted to make 75% the passing mark for the Rules of Professional Conduct section of the written test.

New: Design Research text for R.G.D. Qualification Examination preparation
and study

The Examination Board of Registered Graphic Designers is pleased to announce a new suggested text for study and preparation for the Design Research section of the written test portion of the R.G.D. Qualification Examination.

A Designer’s Research Manual: Succeed in Design by Knowing Your Clients and
What They Really Need
by Jennifer and Kenneth Visocky O'Grady
Rockport Publishers, 2006

About the authors:
Associate Professor Jennifer Visocky O’Grady is a graduate of the Kent State University Visual Communication Design program (B.S., & M.F.A.), and has been teaching at Cleveland State since the spring of 1999. She is also co-founder and principal of Enspace Inc.

Ken Visocky O’Grady is an Assistant Professor of Visual Communication Design. He holds his BS/MFA from Kent State University. In addition to his teaching duties, Ken is a Principal at the Enspace Creative Group, a company that he co-founded in 1998 with his wife Jennifer.

Availability:
Most online bookstores, Swipe bookstore in Toronto, or borrow a copy from the RGD Ontario library

New: Additional Design History study material for R.G.D. Qualification Examination preparation and study

Saldanha, Errol. Canadian Icons. Applied Arts Magazine, January-February, 2008.
(With permission of the author and publisher.)

Please download a PDF of the article at www.rgdexamboard.com/downloads.html