Credentialing
SIFT: A new tool for detection of test fraud
Introduction Test fraud is an extremely common occurrence. We’ve all seen articles about examinee cheating. However, there are very few defensible tools to help detect it. I once saw a webinar from an online testing
What is an Assessment-Based Certificate?
An assessment-based certificate (ABC) is a type of credential that is smaller and more focused than a Certification, License, or Degree. ABCs serve a distinct role in education and workforce development by providing a formal
Addressing Pre-Knowledge in Exam Cheating
In the realm of academic dishonesty and high-stakes exams such as Certification, the term “pre-knowledge” is an important concern in test security and validity. Understanding what pre-knowledge entails and its implications in exam cheating can
Setting a Cutscore to Item Response Theory
Setting a cutscore on a test scored with item response theory (IRT) requires some psychometric knowledge. This post will get you started. How do I set a cutscore with item response theory? There are two
Modified-Angoff Method Study
A modified-Angoff method study is one of the most common ways to set a defensible cutscore on an exam. It therefore means that the pass/fail decisions made by the test are more trustworthy than if
What is Test Scaling?
Scaling is a psychometric term regarding the establishment of a score metric for a test, and it often has two meanings. First, it involves defining the method to operationally scoring the test, establishing an underlying
Certification Exam Development and Delivery
Certification exams are a critical component of workforce development for many professions and play a significant role in the global Testing, Inspection, and Certification (TIC) market, which was valued at approximately $359.35 billion in 2022
Ace Your Exam: Strategies for Test Preparation
Test preparation for a high-stakes exam can be a daunting task, as obtaining degrees, certifications, and other significant achievements can accelerate your career and present new opportunities to learn in your chosen field of study.
What are Stackable Credentials?
Stackable credentials refer to the practice of accumulating a series of credentials such as certifications or microcredentials over time. In today’s rapidly evolving job market, staying ahead of the curve is crucial for career success. Employers
Digital Badges for Skills and Credentials
Digital badges (aka e-badges) have emerged in today’s digitalized world as a powerful tool for recognizing and showcasing individual’s accomplishments in an online format which is more comprehensive, immediate, brandable, and easily verifiable compared to
Certification Management System
A Certification Management System (CMS) or Credential Management System plays a pivotal role in streamlining the key processes surrounding the certification or credentialing of people, namely that they have certain knowledge or skills in a
ANSI ISO/IEC 17024 Accreditation
ANSI ISO/IEC 17024 accreditation is an internationally recognized standard for the accreditation of personnel certification bodies. That is, it is a stamp of approval from an independent audit which says your certification is good quality.
What is a Microcredential?
Microcredentials are short, focused, and targeted educational or assessment-based certificate programs that offer learners a way to acquire specific skills or knowledge in a particular field. In today’s fast-paced and rapidly evolving job market, traditional
Ebel Method of Standard Setting
The Ebel method of standard setting is a psychometric approach to establish a cutscore for tests consisting of multiple-choice questions. It is usually used for high-stakes examinations in the fields of higher education, medical and health
What is a Cutscore or Passing Point?
A cutscore or passing point (aka cut-off score and cutoff score as well) is a score on a test that is used to categorize examinees. The most common example of this is pass/fail, which we
Nedelsky Method of Standard Setting
The Nedelsky method is an approach to setting the cutscore of an exam. Originally suggested by Nedelsky (1954), it is an early attempt to implement a quantitative, rigorous procedure to the process of standard setting.
Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)
An Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE Exam) is an assessment designed to measure performance of tasks, typically medical, in a high-fidelity way. It is more a test of skill than knowledge. For example, I used to
NCCA Accreditation of Credentialing Programs
NCCA accreditation is a stamp of approval on the quality of a certification program, governed by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).™ This is part of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence™, the leader in
