NCTA Test Center CertificationThe Answers to 10,000 Questions

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NCTA Test Center Certification

The Answers to 10,000 Questions

Selected Standards for Certification 

The following eleven standards are drawn from the NCTA Professional Standards and Guidelines posted on the NCTA web site.

The “Action” for each Standard represents how that Standard is to be demonstrated within the Certification Application.

 

Mission Statement “Develop and implement a mission statement consistent with the policies and standards set forth in this document.”

Action: Provide a copy of the test center’s Mission Statement which includes a reference to following the NCTA Standards and Guidelines, and the locations where it is posted.

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Sample Mission StatementHelping members of the University of

Sample and the Greater Sample community reach educational and professional goals by providing secure and convenient testing services in accordance with NCTA professional standards and guidelines.

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Sample Mission StatementIt is the mission of the University of Sample Testing

Services to provide high quality testing, test scoring, and instructional assessment services in accordance with the National College Testing Association Professional Standards and Guidelines and governmental regulations that promote responsible fiscal, legal, ethical, and equitable practices within an environment of continuous quality improvement, business innovation and technological advancement. The services provided for student, faculty, staff, campus, community, and business partners will be consistently rendered with an attitude of service that demonstrates value in human relationships, personal excellence, human dignity, diversity, and commitment to lifelong learning.

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Sample Mission StatementThe mission of Sample Testing Services is to

uphold the vision and values of the institution by providing Sample students and the surrounding community in assessing their knowledge, skills, and abilities as they relate to higher education by providing a variety of testing opportunities. This is accomplished through the use of written and computer-adapted assessment and testing instruments. Sample Testing Services adheres to NCTA Professional Standards and Guidelines.

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More Certification Standards Adequate Facilities “Maintain adequate

physical facilities and location suitable to the requirements of the testing program.”

 Action: Provide digital photos and

annotated floor plan showing all areas of the testing center (all testing rooms, check in areas, offices, and secure test storage), and traffic flow patterns that would ensure secure and standardized testing conditions.

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Adequate FacilitiesThe goal is to demonstrate facilities that

provide for a comfortable and secure testing environmentTesting room provides an environment

conducive to test takingMethod of proctoring appropriate and clearSpacing/furniture prevents examinees from

viewing another examinee’s workspace/screenMethod of securing personal belongings

evidentAble to assess traffic flow, check-in/proctoring

stations, waiting area, etc. 7

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Unsecure environment

Secure Environment

More Certification Standards

Test Integrity “Protect the integrity of the test.”

 Action: Indicate procedures in place that

demon-strate that the test center follows standardized processes for the receipt, storage, and handling of secure test material.

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Test IntegritySecure test materials are monitored or stored

in secure location at all times.Access to testing rooms is controlled when

testing in progressAre proctoring procedures adequate for

monitoring testingDoes physical arrangement prevent

examinees viewing other examinee’s materials

Basically, make sure the test is not compromised and examinees do not cheat 10

More Certification Standards  Confidentiality “Protect the confidentiality

and rights of privacy of examinees and staff.”  Action: Submit a copy of the policies and

procedures in place to protect the confidentiality and rights of privacy of examinees and staff. Test Center will have or develop a confidentiality statement that all employees have signed.

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Sample Confidentiality Statement In consideration of my employment and/or continued employment at the University of Sample

Counseling & Testing Center, I agree as follows:

1. For purpose of this Agreement, “confidential information” is defined as information disclosed to me, accessed by me, or otherwise known by me as a consequence of my employment and not generally known outside the Testing Office. This includes, but is not limited to, names and personal information of clients, passwords, manual tests, and exam keys, as well as the disclosure of the locations of confidential information.

2. During my employment and after the termination of my employment, I will hold the confidential information of the University in trust and confidence and will not use or disclose it or any embodiment thereof, directly or indirectly, except as may be necessary in the performance of my duties for the University. I understand that unauthorized disclosure could be highly damaging to the University, its faculty, staff, students, donors, or others.

3. I will not remove materials containing confidential information from the Testing Office unless authorized to do so by my supervisor. Any and all such materials are the property of the University. Upon termination of any assignment or as requested by my supervisor, I will return all such materials and copies thereof to the Testing Office.

4. I agree to safeguard personally-identifiable data, the official records in the custody of the University, all passwords, all manual tests, and the means and conditions of custodial security. I agree to keep such information and means secure and strictly confidential at all times, whether on or off duty.

5. I understand that if I violate this Agreement, I may be subject to disciplinary action, legal action, or both.

More Certification Standards Staff Training “Develop and implement

appropriate guidelines for test center operations and staff training.”

 Action: Document training practices for both

current and new staff. Submit a copy of the training materials in use and a copy of the test center Operations or Procedures manual with emergency procedures included.

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Staff Training & Operations ManualTraining materials must be written.We recommend that a training checklist be

developed and used when training each staff person.

Manual – might be called something different at each test center, but it should include written operational procedures for center and emergency procedures. Training materials can be included or in a separate manual.

More Certification Standards Program Evaluation “Evaluate the testing

program in an on-going, systematic, and comprehensive manner.”

Action: Outline the steps taken to evaluate the testing program. An annual report is required and should include comparing volumes/revenue over time, results of examinee satisfaction surveys, and departmental work objective/goals. List how evaluations are conducted and results are used. 15

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Program EvaluationTest Center must have an examinee

satisfaction survey that is administered continually or periodically.

Test Center should describe how surveys are conducted and how they use the results – with Testing Staff? Administrators? Others?

An annual report for test center activities and usage is required.

More Certification Standards Contracts Maintain agreements with test

providers. (paraphrased)  Action: List individuals who are involved in the

review, implementation, and compliance of contracts and agreements. Indicate the location of stored contracts.

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Contracts/Testing AgreementsOutside contracts are not a requirement for

certification, but if you have contracts or agreements with testing companies and organizations, the application asks you to list the companies you contract with, who reviews the contracts/agreements, who signs contracts/agreements, and who is responsible for compliance with contracts/agreements.

More Certification Standards Testing Manager There is an

“accountable manager … responsible for the appropriate administration of testing programs.”

 Action: Identify the staff person who is

responsible for the oversight of the testing program on campus. Identify his/her reporting line and provide a copy of the job description.

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More Certification Standards  Test Center Staff Proctors and support staff

working on behalf of the testing program have defined roles and receive instruction related to their responsibilities. Their work is monitored and evaluated. (paraphrased)

 Action: List all positions involved in the testing

program along with assigned responsibilities. Provide copies of the job descriptions or outlines of the assigned duties. Describe practices in place for monitoring and evaluating their work.

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More Certification Standards Services “The testing program will be

represented at various levels within the organizational structure. As needs are identified, the program will make these needs, and the resources required, known to the appropriate personnel and offices in the institution.”

 Action: Submit an organizational structure within

which the testing program resides (chart and/or text). List the services provided by the test center.

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More Certification Standards Public Relations “… Implement

appropriate public relations activities on behalf of the test center.”

 Action: Describe the public relations and

communi-cation activities that support the test center. Include published schedules, press releases, links to web pages, and/or any documents that communicate the testing services provided. Test centers will have or develop a general brochure/flyer listing all of its services. 22

Test Center Certification ApplicationWhen a Test Center Certification cycle is announced to the

membership, interested test centers will fill out a Pre-Application. Limited numbers of Pre-Apps will be accepted in each cycle, and there will be several cycles each calendar year.

From the completed Pre-Apps, centers with most/all of the requirements completed will be assigned an Advisor. The Advisor sends complete Certification Application when test center is ready to submit all documentation for certification.

Advisors answer questions, help test centers understand requirements, and provide samples, if needed. During the certification process for that center, the Advisor provides the connection between test center & the TCC Committee.

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Thank you for your interest in Test Center Certification. Please seek out any TCC Committee member to

answer individual questions. Committee members are: Duane Goupell, Chair Nancy O’Shea Steve Saladin Buck Setter Roberto Voci Gayle Veltman (gveltman@cox.net) at Wichita State

U. Theresa Scott (tscott24@fau.edu) at Florida Atlantic

U. Vicki Black (vcblack@memphis.edu) at U. of

Memphis

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Relax and enjoy the benefits of certification!