| NCEES ELSES USCIEP EngineeringLicense RCEPP The Center CouncilNet July 25, 2008 (Clemson, SC) |
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 Summary — All examinee answer sheets are put through a series of quality control measures designed to ensure fair and equitable scoring. Please select a link below and scroll through the page:
How is the passing score determined?A passing score on an NCEES exam is the number of correct answers or points required to indicate a knowledge level necessary to meet a minimum performance standard for a discipline.For the first offering of an examination in a new subject area, or when a significant change in the content of the examination occurs, the passing score of that exam is determined by a specially appointed committee of licensed subject-matter experts. The committee members are selected based on their expertise, their knowledge of the ability level of candidates at the stage of their career covered by the examination, and the diversity they bring to the committee with respect to such factors as their area of specialization within the profession. Using a process that is widely accepted in the testing profession, the committee assesses the examination performance that may be expected of a minimally competent examinee. After the NCEES examination committee reviews the committee's work for reasonableness, the passing score is established. Beginning with the October 2005 administration, candidates will receive results of "Pass" or "Fail" only. Failing candidates will no longer receive a numerical score. For subsequent administrations, the same passing standard is preserved using a statistical technique known as equating. This technique is widely used by testing experts for occupational licensing exams. The goal of equating is to ensure that an examinee's chances of passing remain constant regardless of the particular administration of the exam that was taken. Put another way, this means that an examinee is not penalized if the exam taken is more difficult than usual. If the exam is more difficult than usual, fewer questions must be answered correctly to achieve a passing score. The Structural II examination is administered in two 4-hour sections. In each section, the examinee chooses two of four design problems. NCEES graders evaluate examinees' solutions in a scoring workshop. Using a scoring standard previously established, each solution is evaluated independently by two graders. Borderline solutions on which the two graders do not agree are given a third evaluation. Scores are reported on a pass/fail basis. What measures are taken to identify flawed questions?In the question development process, NCEES performs multiple tests to ensure that questions are not flawed. These include question reviews for ambiguity, gender or ethnic bias, and technical accuracy.NCEES recognizes the importance of all questions in the testing process; therefore, we also:
If a review reveals an error on a question, NCEES takes the most equitable course of action. This may involve giving credit for more than one answer. For seriously flawed questions, credit is given to all answers. Are the exams graded on a curve? Is there a target pass rate?No. NCEES scores each exam based on its own merits with no regard for a predetermined percentage of examinees that should pass or fail. All exams are scored the same way.Are the exam answer sheets machine-graded or hand-graded, or both?All multiple-choice exams are machine-graded. A few are selected to be hand-graded as well, as a quality control measure.The Structural II (essay) exams are manually reviewed and scored. When scoring is completed, reports are prepared and sent to the licensing boards so that they can notify the examinees. |
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