NCCA Standard 15: Examination Specifications
In a previous post (NCCA Accreditations), you learned about the ARRT's accreditation through the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). More recently, you learned about the Job Analysis process (NCCA Standard 14: Job Analysis). Today, we continue our series exploring another standard that certification organizations must meet to earn accreditation.
Once the Job Analysis is complete and we have determined the relevant content for an ARRT exam, now it is time to develop the specifications around the examination. Standard 15 specifically addresses how we do this, and states, "The certification program must establish specifications that describe what the examination is intended to measure as well as the design of the examination and requirements for its standardization and use, consistent with the stated objectives of the certification program." The standard contains three essential elements, and ARRT takes specific steps to ensure we meet each one.
- First, "The examination specifications must clearly state the objective of the examination, including what the examination is intended to measure (e.g., cognitive knowledge, psychomotor skills, or general competency) and the level of practice (e.g., entry, advanced, specialty, or as defined by the program) being measured."
- Second, "Specifications must address the critical elements of the whole examination program along with clear rationales. The program must specify and explain clearly examination design considerations."
- Third, "The program must base the plan for weighting sections of an examination on a job analysis. The plan must provide precise direction regarding the weighting structure for each section."
ARRT derives the Examination Content Specifications and Task Inventories directly from our practice analysis process. They contain the Examination Specification information for candidates required for ARRT to meet this Standard. Within these documents, candidates can find the purpose of the examination, the breakdown and weighting of content, and how that content will be measured.
