[IPAC-List] Computerized Testing

[Reindl, Kevin]

Our company (mid-sized energy/utilities located in So. California) has slowly been converting our paper testing program to computer/web-based testing over the past several years. I have been involved with this from the start, and would be happy to talk to you if you want more detail. In the meantime, below are the answers to your questions.

1)  Do you use computerized testing for hiring/selection or just certification and licensure?
        - We use computerized testing for hiring/selection only (we do not have licensing-type assessments)

2)  Did you partner with a vendor or develop a platform internally?
        - We partner with a vendor who has a well-established web-based testing platform. I believe this is the best way to go. There are just too many technical issues to deal with to consider developing our own platform...unless you have a lot of good IT support, I'd suggest going with a vendor who has a good system.

3)  Do you use vendor-operated testing centers, your own facility and computers, kiosks or some other test site?
        - If we have an available and convenient in-house facility that is close to our applicant population, we will use our own facilities (computer training rooms or dedicated testing rooms with computers); however, if we do not have an available facility, we may book a testing center owned and operated by our primary testing vendor. Obviously this costs a bit more, but our research has shown it to be competitive with the cost of doing it in-house. Some situations still force us to utilize paper/scanned testing options (e.g., we need to test in a remote region where there is no vendor or in-house facility available).

4)  Do you pass any of the cost on to the candidate?
        - We do not pass any of the cost onto the candidate (other than the indirect cost associated with candidate travel to the testing center).

Kevin Reindl
San Diego Gas & Electric

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-----Original Message-----
From: ipac-list-bounces at ipacweb.org [mailto:ipac-list-bounces at ipacweb.org] On Behalf Of Fisher, James
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 8:45 AM
To: ipac-list at ipacweb.org
Subject: [IPAC-List] Computerized Testing

Hello All:

My agency is required by statute to administer a competitive examination
for all of its 250 job classifications.  Many of these examinations
consist of a written multiple choice job knowledge test.  We were
recently given the task of exploring computerized testing for the
administration of these multiple choice tests.  We know we will only
consider proctored tests.  I was wondering if anyone might be able to
provide information about experiences they have had with utilizing
computerized testing.  More specifically:

1)  Do you use computerized testing for hiring/selection or just
certification and licensure?
2)  Did you partner with a vendor or develop a platform internally?
3)  Do you use vendor-operated testing centers, your own facility and
computers, kiosks or some other test site?
4)  Do you pass any of the cost on to the candidate?

I certainly appreciate any insights the group may have to offer
regarding the use of computerized testing.

Jamie Fisher
Employment Manager
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago
Ph (312)751-5172
Fax (312)751-5171


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