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How to choose a CBT management agency? 7 points you must check
- CBT
- Test management
There is a huge amount of work involved in conducting a test, and it is not realistic for test management organizations to handle all of the work within themselves. Therefore, it is common to outsource to a test management agency.
In recent years, an increasing number of exams have adopted CBT, which digitally handles everything from application to exam administration, pass/fail notification, and result analysis, and outsourcing the work to CBT management agencies. Although CBT first spread overseas, there are many CBT management agencies in Japan as well. Therefore, this time we will explain the points to consider when choosing a CBT management agency.
1. Number of Test Center
CBT reduces the workload of test administration organizations, but it is also Test Format that has many benefits for Candidate. A big advantage is that Candidate can choose their own test Test Center. It was not uncommon for paper-based group Test Center (PBT) to be held only in large cities such as Tokyo or Osaka, but with CBT, you can choose from test Test Center prepared in advance by the test management agency. .
The more locations there are in the exam Test Center, the more convenient it will be for Candidate, but you should also check the number of seats at each Test Center. This is especially common in rural areas, but there is no point in having a large number of Test Center if the venues have a limited number of Test Center and reservations fill up quickly. The more Test Center and seats there are, the more convenient it will be for Candidate, and you can expect an increase in the number of Candidate.
Therefore, having a large number of Test Center and securing the number of seats at each Test Center is an important point when choosing a CBT management agency.
Test Center quality
Having more Test Center doesn't necessarily mean it's better. Check the level of management such as the setup of the exam Test Center and the response of receptionists and test proctors. If Test Center makes you want to ask, "Is this Test Center?", the credibility of the exam will drop, leading to a decline in brand power.
Environmental aspects such as computer specs and noise are also important points. Conducting exams under the same conditions nationwide is essential for exam fairness. Make sure you use a computer with the same specs at all Test Center and that you can take the test in a quiet environment.
3. Scope of agency work
The work involved in test administration is enormous. It is desirable to outsource everything from test application to implementation, pass/fail notification, and result analysis to a CBT management agency, but some agencies may only handle some tasks. Be sure to choose an agency that can handle all of your needs.
Additionally, exams need to be constantly updated in line with changes in the social and business environment. Therefore, we recommend that you choose an agency that handles the PDCA process for exams, including exam preparation and result analysis to verify validity.
4.Security
A strong security system is essential for conducting exams rigorously. Since CBT uses computers to handle highly personal information, let's first check the security aspects of data transmission, reception, and management. A good guideline is to obtain certifications such as the international standard for quality assurance "ISO9001" and the international standard for information security management systems (ISMS) "ISO/IEC 27001:2013."
Additionally, we review security measures at Test Center to prevent identity theft and cheating.
5.Overseas expansion/Saturday and Sunday support
Depending on the exam being conducted, overseas residents may also be eligible to take the exam. Alternatively, there may be test organizers who initially want to start only in Japan and eventually expand overseas. In that case, choose a CBT management agency that already has an overseas network.
In addition, although many agencies handle inquiries, some are not available on weekends and other holidays. Candidates often take exams on Saturdays and Sundays, so not being able to contact them in the event of an unexpected incident on a Saturday or Sunday is a big risk for them. If you are planning on taking the exam on Saturdays and Sundays, be sure to choose an agency that can handle inquiries on Saturdays and Sundays as well.
6.Test results
You can rest assured that a CBT management agency has a rich track record in terms of the number of exams it has conducted and the number of Candidate. Among these, agency companies that handle exams with similar content and scale are strong candidates.
In particular, agency companies that handle national exams that require a strict testing system are highly reliable. Agency companies that manage large-scale exams with a large number Candidate can be relied upon to operate the test with confidence, as this proves that they can handle the number of Test Center and number of test takers.
7.Cost
Naturally, low cost is also a major point when choosing a CBT management agency. However, the work involved in test administration is wide-ranging, so be sure to check carefully to see what scope the estimate covers. Even if the estimate is cheap at first glance, the costs may continue to increase as the work that is not included is treated as an option. Be sure to carefully identify the work for which you are requesting a management agency, and carefully examine the estimate to accurately understand the cost.
summary
At the same time that CBT has become a common Test Format, the number of CBT management agencies is also increasing. In order to protect the reliability of the test and the brand, don't just focus on the cost, but also carefully check the number of Test Center, quality, security, response to inquiries, etc. before hiring a reliable CBT management agency.
Prometric 's CBT has strengths in the number of Test Center, Test Center quality, security, overseas network, etc. Our system is so strict that it is even used in national exams, and we conduct exams under the same conditions at Test Center nationwide. When considering CBT, please contact Prometric provides an environment where Candidate can take the test with peace of mind.
Questions about introducing CBT, consultation on operation, fees, etc.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.