KASNEB IT Exam Requirements: Hardware & Software for CPA, CIFA, CISSE

KASNEB IT Examination Technical Requirements

Official technical specifications for all KASNEB IT-related examinations effective August 2025 testing period.

Key Updates for August 2025 NEW

All practical exams now require minimum 3-hour battery backup
Wi-Fi enabled laptops mandatory for CPA and CIFA practical papers
Updated software versions required for vocational cybersecurity exams

CPA Examination Requirements

CPA Business Data Analytics (Practical Paper)

Software: Microsoft Excel 2016
Hardware: Core i3 processor, 4GB RAM
Power: 3-hour battery backup time
Connectivity: Wi-Fi enabled laptop

Why These Specifications Matter

The CPA Business Data Analytics practical exam requires:

Excel 2016 for data manipulation and analysis
Minimum i3 processor to handle complex calculations
4GB RAM for smooth operation of analytical functions
Battery backup to prevent data loss during power outages

Preparation Tips

Practice with the exact Excel version (2016)
Test your laptop's battery life under full workload
Ensure Wi-Fi connectivity for potential online resources
Verify all Excel analytics add-ins are properly installed

Complete IT Exam Requirements

No	Examination	Paper	Minimum Requirements
1	CPA	Business Data Analytics (Practical Paper)	Microsoft Excel 2016 • Core i3 • 4GB RAM • 3-hour battery backup time • Wi-Fi enabled laptop
2	CIFA	Financial Modelling and Data Analytics (Practical Paper)	Microsoft Excel 2016 • Core i3 • 4GB RAM • 3-hour battery backup time • Wi-Fi enabled laptop
3	Vocational certificate in information and cybersecurity (Level I)	Computer Networks, Operations and Security	Wireshark software for either windows or Linux • Network simulation tool: Cisco packet tracer or GNS3
4	Vocational certificate in information and cybersecurity (Level II)	Database design and security	Ms Access Database 2016 • SQL Server Management Studio • XAMPP Server • WAMP
5	Vocational certificate in Graphic Design (Level II)	Graphic Design I Graphic Design II	Adobe Photoshop CC 2016 • Adobe Illustrator CC 2016 • Adobe InDesign CC 2016
6	Diploma in Data Management and Analytics (DDMA) (Level I)	Computer Information Systems Applications	Ms office suite 2016 • Libre office 7.5
7	Diploma in Computer Networks and Systems Administration (DCNSA) Examination (Level I)	Computer Information Systems Applications	Ms office suite 2016 • Libre office 7.5
8	Diploma in Data Management and Analytics (DDMA) (Level II)	Databases	Ms Access Database 2016 • SQL Server Management Studio • XAMPP Server • WAMP • Smart draw
9	Diploma in Data Management and Analytics (DDMA) (Level II)	Warehousing and Data Mining	Jupyter Notebook • Ms Access Database 2016 • SQL Server Management Studio • Pycharm IDE • Python • R Studio • R • Orange software
10	Diploma in Data Management and Analytics (DDMA) (Level III)	Python Data Visualisation	Pycharm IDE • Python • Jupyter Notebook
11	Diploma in Data Management and Analytics (DDMA) (Level III)	Data Management and Analytics	RStudio installed with libraries: rJava, rhdfs, rhbase, rmr2 • Ms Excel 2016 • Python • Pycharm IDE • Hadoop
12	Diploma in Computer Networks and Systems Administration (Level II)	Computer Networking	Wireshark 32/64-bit Latest version • Network simulation tools: Cisco packet tracer or GNS3
13	Diploma in Computer Networks and Systems Administration (Level II)	Network Operating Systems	Linux/Windows computer • Technician to Install Windows server 2016/2019/2022 iso file on Oracle virtual box software
14	Diploma in Computer Networks and Systems Administration (Level III)	Network Troubleshooting	Linux/Windows computer • Wireshark 32/64-bit Latest version • Network simulation tools: Cisco packet tracer or GNS3
15	Diploma in Computer Networks and Systems Administration (Level III)	Network set-up	Linux/Windows computer • Network simulation tools: Cisco packet tracer or GNS3 • Wireshark 32/64-bit Latest version
16	Certified Information Systems Solutions Expert (CISSE) (Foundation Level)	Computer Information Systems Applications	Ms office suite 2016 • Libre office 7.5
17	Certified Information Systems Solutions Expert (CISSE) (Intermediate Level)	Networking and Data Communication	Linux/Windows computer • Wireshark 32/64-bit Latest version • Network simulation tools: Cisco packet tracer or GNS3
18	Certified Information Systems Solutions Expert (CISSE) (Intermediate Level)	Programming and Systems Analysis and Design	Java
19	Certified Information Systems Solutions Expert (CISSE) (Advanced Level)	Big Data Management	Jupyter Notebook • Pycharm IDE • PySpark Library • Python • Java JDK • Hadoop software
20	Certified Information Systems Solutions Expert (CISSE) (Advanced Level)	Big Data Analytics	Jupyter Notebook • Python • Pycharm IDE • PySpark Library • Java JDK • Hadoop software
21	Certified Information Systems Solutions Expert (CISSE) (Advanced Level)	Networking and Telecommunications	Linux/Windows computer • Wireshark 32/64-bit Latest version • Network simulation tools: Cisco packet tracer or GNS3

Note: All requirements are effective for examinations administered on or after Thursday 7 August 2025.

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