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Prometric 's CBT implementation case study demonstrates the feasibility of diverse test delivery.
- CBT
The environment surrounding exam administration has changed dramatically in recent years due to factors such as digitalization, labor shortages, and infectious disease risks. In this context, the shift to CBT(Computer Based Testing)is accelerating as a system to meet needs that cannot be adequately addressed by nationwide paper-based exams alone.
On the other hand, simply digitizing the exam may not be enough to meet operational requirements such as strict identity verification, fraud prevention, standardization of Test Center quality, and handling inquiries.
This article will introduce how Prometric 's CBT (Computer-Based Testing) meets diverse requirements, from financial qualification exams requiring rigorous implementation to medical specialist exams, and even skills tests conducted overseas and in multiple languages, along with specific operational strategies and support scope.
Financial Official Approval Association
The introduction of CBT (Computer-Based Testing) balances the rigor of the exam with improved convenience for Candidate
Financial Official Approval Association operates several certification exams directly related to the work of financial institution employees. While traditionally the focus was mainly on paper-based exams held twice a year, the association has introduced computer-based testing (CBT) in response to work-style reforms and has expanded its range of exams that can be taken year-round, depending on the subject and timing.
The association also supports group applications and group score displays for financial institutions that want to track exam status on an organizational basis, creating an environment where HR departments can easily design exam opportunities in line with training plans.
Furthermore, by integrating group application and group score display systems into the CBT (Computer-Based Testing) system, it became possible to centrally manage everything from application to result confirmation.
The association's certification exam leverages the characteristics of Test Center CBT (Computer-Based Testing), standardizing identity verification and exam proctoring systems to achieve both the rigor required for financial qualifications and convenience for Candidate. Compared to a paper-based exam system, this is an example of how CBT can improve operational efficiency, such as faster scoring and notification, and more flexible change procedures.
"When selecting a partner for CBT implementation, we contacted several companies, but ultimately chose Prometric because of their track record, large number of Test Center, and high security standards. We felt confident in their security not only in terms of the system but also in Test Center management."
For more details on the Financial Examination Association's case study, please see the article below.
The General Insurance Association of Japan
The year-round exam, which involves approximately 700,000 test-takers annually, will be converted to computer-based testing (CBT), achieving operational efficiency and fairness.
The General Insurance Association of Japan operates the General Examination for Non-Life Insurance Agents (General Insurance Examination), which certifies the knowledge required to accurately explain important matters concerning insurance products, as a year-round computer-based test (CBT). The General Insurance Examination sees approximately 700,000 Candidate annually, but the association has secured the capacity to stably accommodate a large number of test-takers by utilizing Prometric 's nationwide test centers, thereby resolving issues such as Test Center shortages during peak times and uneven distribution of operational burden.
Furthermore, by introducing a system that automatically generates question patterns that are equivalent in content and statistically (LOFT: Linear On the Fly Testing), we aim to equalize the difficulty level while minimizing the risk of question leaks and ensuring fairness.
Because each Candidate can choose the date, time, and Test Center, it becomes easier to create a qualification acquisition plan that fits the operational needs of insurance agencies, thus reducing the burden on staff.
"Prometric has extensive experience in administering industry-specific tests not only in Japan but also worldwide. We feel that their ability to stably administer large-scale tests and to handle everything from test creation and distribution to results analysis in a seamless manner is unique to the company."
For more details on the case study of the General Insurance Association of Japan, please see the article below.
The Life Insurance Association of Japan
The use of CBT test centers located throughout the country improves convenience for Candidate
The Life Insurance Association of Japan administers an industry-wide examination, a necessary qualification for selling life insurance, which is taken by over 500,000 people annually. By introducing computer-based testing (CBT) for the industry-wide examination, the association has increased the frequency of the exam and established a system that ensures opportunities for qualification acquisition through rescheduled exams even in the event of natural disasters or infectious disease outbreaks.
Unlike paper-based exams, which are administered to a large number of people at once each year, this system offers a significant advantage in its ability to flexibly respond to sudden environmental changes.
By utilizing Prometric 's test centers located throughout the country, the association has provided sales staff residing in rural areas with the opportunity to take the exam without long-distance travel, significantly reducing the burden of travel and scheduling constraints that had been bottlenecks in talent development. Furthermore, by operating the industry-wide standardized test using computer-based testing (CBT), the collection and analysis of Test Result data has become easier, making it easier to utilize the data in training design and system revisions.
This is an example of how simply digitizing paper documents can lead to the advancement of the entire talent development cycle.
"I believe Prometric 's strength lies in its ability to flexibly manage exams in various situations. Furthermore, their contact center, which handles approximately 25,000 inquiries annually, is efficiently managed, and its high call-answering rate ensures that Candidate are not kept waiting, which is a great help."
For more details on the case study of the Life Insurance Association of Japan, please see the article below.
Soka University
The university is the first private university to introduce a computer-based testing (CBT) format for its general entrance examinations, utilizing test centers nationwide.
Soka University was the first private university to introduce a computer-based testing (CBT) system for its general entrance examination (late term), utilizing test centers nationwide. This is an example of building a new entrance examination model that balances ensuring fairness and reliability of the examination with expanding regional Test Center and reducing the burden on faculty and staff.
When the university conducted its general entrance examinations using paper-based methods, securing large Test Center and arranging Test Center management staff was a significant burden. However, by introducing CBT and utilizing Prometric 's test centers, it has become possible to conduct examinations nationwide without having to secure numerous Test Center in-house.
Furthermore, the number of personnel required to operate Test Center was reduced from 10 to 5 compared to the conventional paper-based exam, which also helped to alleviate the burden on faculty and staff who administer the entrance examinations.
"Introducing CBT (Computer-Based Testing) for our general entrance examinations was a major challenge for our university. This new initiative has given us an opportunity to deepen discussions within the university about what value we can offer to prospective students. We will cherish the achievements we have made with Prometric and continue our efforts to provide learning opportunities for even more students in the future."
For more details about Soka University's case, please see the article below.
Japanese Union of Psychological Associations
The introduction of CBT (Computer-Based Testing) has made it possible to conduct the long-desired twice-yearly exam.
The Psychology Certification Exam, administered Japanese Union of Psychological Associations, faced the challenge of significant differences in equipment and facilities across the Test Center. Therefore, in introducing the computer-based testing (CBT), Prometric 's environment was adopted, which provides computers with the same specifications and large monitors at all Test Center, ensuring consistent display quality, including at regional Test Center.
Furthermore, by outsourcing the challenge of securing Test Center, we have been able to transition to conducting the exam twice a year based on a nationwide network of Test Center, thereby expanding the opportunities for test-takers.
Back when it was a paper-based exam, there was only one test day, and some people said that if a test-taker fell ill, they would miss their one chance a year and wouldn't be able to maintain their motivation until the following year. However, now there are more opportunities to take the exam, making the Psychology Certification Exam more accessible.
"The fact that Prometric 's Test Center are located in all prefectures reduces the burden of travel for test-takers based on their Test Center of residence, and the ability to conduct fair tests was the deciding factor in choosing them. The fact that the test centers are dedicated to the exams means that surveillance cameras and other measures can be used to ensure complete monitoring without blind spots, which further prevents cheating, and this is another benefit that makes us feel that introducing CBT was a good decision."
For more details on the case study of the Japanese Federation of Psychological Societies, please see the following article.
Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society
Installing monitors with the same specifications in all Test Center improves fairness.
Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society (JGES) placed great importance on ensuring consistent display environments across Test Center when using high-resolution images in examinations such as the gastroenterological endoscopy specialist examination. Prometric Test Center are equipped with monitors of the same size at all Test Center. Images can be viewed under the same conditions at any Test Center. The fact that they had the necessary systems in place was a major deciding factor in their decision to implement it.
Furthermore, the monitor's quality was as high-resolution as that of images captured with an endoscope, which also met the requirements for this test.
Before the introduction of CBT (Computer-Based Testing), Candidate from all over Japan, from Hokkaido to Okinawa, had to be gathered in Tokyo. Now, however, Candidate can choose their own test Test Center, which has been well-received by Candidate.
"We were able to make this decision to introduce CBT because we were absolutely certain that it would not be detrimental to Candidate or members. In particular, test takers already have the burden of having to take an exam, so we want to reduce any other hassle or stress they may experience as much as possible."
For more details on the case study from the Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society, please see the following article.
OTAFF (The Organization for Technical Skill Assessment of Foreign Workers in Food Industry)
Achieve the same level of testing even with multilingual and international distribution.
OTAFF (The Organization for Technical Skill Assessment of Foreign Workers in Food Industry) conducts the Food Service Industry Food service industry Specified Skilled Worker (i) test, and subsequently planned to conduct overseas tests in other countries as well.
However, it is a tremendous task for this organization alone to handle tasks such as collecting examination fees, paying taxes, and exchanging foreign currency.
Therefore, the organization chose to entrust the entire operation of the CBT (Computer Specified Skilled Worker exam to Prometric, including the complex practical tasks such as paying taxes on examination fees and handling exam reservations. A major deciding factor was that Prometric had already begun using the system for other specified skills tests and had already customized the exam application and management system for the Specified Skilled Worker test.
In the future, the number of countries where the organization conducts overseas examinations is expected to expand. The organization will also utilize Prometric 's test quality analysis service and test time analysis service to continuously improve test questions based on the results of the test quality analysis.
"As this is an examination, it must be conducted with strict integrity. Monitoring and preventing cheating is an ongoing challenge for examination administering bodies. Prometric has implemented various methods to monitor and prevent cheating, and they have also shared specific examples of cheating that have occurred and been dealt with strictly. Based on that, I would like to work together to consider what further preventative measures can be taken."
For more details on the case of OTAFF (The Organization for Technical Skill Assessment of Foreign Workers in Food Industry), please see the article below.
"As this is an examination, it must be conducted with strict integrity. Monitoring and preventing cheating is an ongoing challenge for examination administering bodies. Prometric has implemented various methods to monitor and prevent cheating, and they have also shared specific examples of cheating that have occurred and been dealt with strictly. Based on that, I would like to work together to consider what further preventative measures can be taken."
For more details on the case of OTAFF (The Organization for Technical Skill Assessment of Foreign Workers in Food Industry), please see the article below.
With one of Japan’s leading CBT providers, Prometric, you can conduct university entrance exams, certification exams, and international broadcasts under a rigorous system.
One of Prometric 's strengths is its ability to standardize Test Center environments and operational procedures across the country and around the world, supporting challenging conditions such as rigorous testing, remote delivery, and multilingual support through operational design and system development. By comprehensively supporting the vast amount of work related to the exam, including securing Test Center, assigning proctors, standardizing equipment, processing exam fees, and analyzing results data, we provide an environment where organizers can concentrate on what they should be focusing on: the content of the exam and the design of the system.
Prometric 's CBT (Computer-Based Testing) standardizes key processes for exam administration, such as identity verification, supervision, and Test Center management, supporting the creation of a system that allows exams to be conducted under consistent conditions at any Test Center nationwide. When considering the introduction or transition to CBT, please feel free to contact us. We will propose the optimal implementation model tailored to your organization's operational challenges, including "year-round administration," "nationwide distribution," "cheating prevention," "group testing management," and "responding to Candidate inquiries."
Prometric works closely with test organizers and university admissions officers to address their challenges and proposes concrete plans for conducting diverse types of tests.
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