Test Encyclopedia #2

Explore
== History ==
The ACT EXPLORE exam was created with the aim of testing the abilities of 8
th
and 9
th
grade
students in the fields of reading, math, English, and science. The results of the test help develop
the individual students career path as well as courses the student will take during future
education. <ref name=The EXPLORE
Test>[http://www.act.org/explorestudent/tests/index.html The EXPLORE Test] March 3
2014</ref>
=== Replacement of the ACT EXPLORE exam with Aspire ===
Although the Explore exam will be replaced completely by the Aspire exam in June of 2014, the
exam is still being offered across the United States.
<ref>[http://www.act.org/explorestudent/future/index.html EXPLORE: Your Future] March 3
2014</ref>
== Function of the Test ==
The purpose of the EXPLORE test is to measure the academic aptitude of 8
th
and 9
th
graders in
the United States. The test is prepared for and taken at the discretion of local school districts
across the United States and aims to provide a predictor upon where a student would best apply
themselves during the rest of their pre-college career, as well as through college and into the
workplace. <ref>[http://www.act.org/explorestudent/tests/epas.html EXPLORE, Plan, and the
ACT] March 3 2014</ref>
== Test Administration ==
The EXPLORE test is offered in classrooms across the United States for students in the 8
th
and
9
th
grades. The classrooms are either in elementary or middle school, however the specific
location and date for a student depends upon where was selected and what time slot was selected
by the student at registration through EXPLORE. Test dates are usually on Saturdays, however a
student may request a non-Saturday date to take the test if he or she observes Saturday as a
religious day of observance. <ref>[http://www.ctd.northwestern.edu/numats/program/dates/ Test
Dates] March 17, 2014</ref>
For students with disabilities, a special request form should be filled out by the student and/or his
or her family before the registration deadline. Such requests should be submitted to the ACT, so
that the company can review how to best accommodate the student.
<ref>[http://www.centerforbrightkids.org/programs/academic-year-programs/western-academic-
talent-search/frequently-asked-questions.html Center for Bright Kids] 2009</ref>
In general, the students State Department of Education pays for the registration for the
EXPLORE exam and the fee is different based upon what state the student is taking the exam,
however the student does not pay any fee for initial registration and to take the exam if he or she
registers before the deadline. For example, in Wyoming, the Wyoming Department of Education
pays the registration fee for all 9
th
graders. <ref>[http://www.wyo4ed.org/planning/testing-prep
The EXPLORE, PLAN and ACT Test for Wyoming Students] March 17, 2014</ref>
A late registration fee of $22.50 applies to the student if he or she registered after the regular
registration deadline. <ref>[http://www.act.org/explore/ests/calendar.html ACT 2013-2014
Calendar] February 5, 2014</ref>
If the student is ill on the day of the test, he or she in order to take the EXPLORE test at a later
date will have to pay a fee of $22.50 if there is a seat available at another testing facility at
another testing date. <ref>[http://www.act.org/explore/ests/policies.html EXPLORE Test
Policies] February 5, 2014</ref>
== Scoring ==
In total, the EXPLORE test has a set minimum score of 1 and a maximum score of 25.
Scores are listed as a Composite Score, which measures the average of test scores in every
category in addition to a score for each category, with subcategory scores for the main sections
(English, Math, Reading, Science) that determine how well you did in each skill section.
Subcategory scores measure between 1 and 12, but do not add up to the Test score for one of the
four major sections of the EXPLORE test.
In the Score Report, the student will also be shown a table that gives them the ability to compare
themselves to other students that took the test in the United States for each scoring category. <ref
name=The EXPLORE Test>[http://www.act.org/explorestudent/tests/index.html The
EXPLORE Test] March 3 2014</ref>
== Recent/Future Developments ==
The EXPLORE test will be discontinued in June of 2014 and replaced with the ACT Aspire
exam. The ACT Aspire exam will become available in April of 2014.
<ref>[http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/curriculum/2014/01/act_to_drop_plan_and_explore_t.htm
l ACT to Drop Explore and Plan Tests] January 3 2014</ref>
== References ==
<references/>
Alcohol and Drug Counselor Exam
== History ==
The Alcohol and Drug Counselor Exam is monitored by the IC&RC body, created in 1981,
responsible for ensuring professionals are well-trained to treat alcohol and drug problems of
clients. The exam is updated every five years through a peer review method of existing Alcohol
and Drug counselors in the United States. <ref>[http://internationalcredentialing.org/ Setting
Global Standards for Addiction Professionals] March 3 2014</ref>
== Function of the Test ==
The purpose of the Alcohol and Drug Counselor exam is to test qualified candidates to become
Alcohol and Drug Counselors in the United States and 23 other countries around the world.
Candidates typically have at least a high school education, however many candidates have an
Associates, Bachelors, or Masters degree. <ref name=Candidate Guide for the IC&RC Alcohol
and Drug Counselor
Examination>[http://internationalcredentialing.org/Resources/Documents/Candidate%20Guides
/ADC%20Candidate%20Guide%201-14.pdf Candidate Guide for the IC&RC Alcohol and Drug
Counselor Examination] March 3 2014</ref>
===Qualifications===
Typically, Alcohol and Drug Counselors must have at least 6000 hours of supervised work
experience in the related field. Candidates with an Associates degree in behavioral science only
require 5000 hours. Candidates with a Bachelors degree require only 4000 hours. Candidate
with a Masters degree require only 2000 hours. <ref>[http://internationalcredentialing.org/adcPR
Alcohol& Drug Counselor (ADC)] March 3 2014</ref>
*Further, candidates must have 270 hours specific to Alcohol and Drug Counseling with 6 of
those hours in counselor ethics.
*A candidate must also have 300 hours specific to domains in Alcohol and Drug Counseling,
including the 12 core functions and TAP 21 Competencies with a minimum of ten hours for each
core area.
*Candidates must sign a code of ethics before taking the exam.
*In order to be recertified as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor, one must take 40 hours of
continuing education on a two year basis.
== Test Administration ==
The Alcohol and Drug Counselor test is administered through paper and pencil as well as
Computer Based Testing. Both a government ID and Candidate Admission letter are required in
order to test.
For those with disabilities, a request for accommodation must be mailed before the candidate
begins examination. If the candidate is disabled due to a medical or physical condition, he or she
should provide evidence of visitation with a doctor no more than three months before beginning
the test. If he or she has a psychiatric or psychological condition, documentation under APA
guidelines from within the past three years must be submitted.
IC&RC Member Boards can be found at http://internationalcredentialing.org/findboard.
<ref>[http://internationalcredentialing.org/findboard IC&RC Find a Board] March 3, 2014</ref>
=== Pencil and Paper Exam ===
For the pencil and paper exam, testing is offered four times a year in the months of March, June,
September, and December. In general, however candidates should contact their IC&RC Member
Board for the exact date of the exam as well as location, time and registration information.
=== Computer Based Testing ===
For the Computer Based Testing, candidates may take the test on an on-demand basis given if
the exam is available at the IQT Testing Center of choice. Candidates must be pre-registered
with their IC&RC Member Board after meeting the eligibility requirements and after that process
they receive an email on where the exam takes place, the exam date, and the exam location.
=== Rescheduling of the Exam ===
For the Paper and Pencil Exams, candidates should contact their IC&RC board as soon as
possible in order to reschedule before the administration window closes. Administration
windows change often, so the candidate should plan retesting as far in advance in possible. If he
or she is able to take the test at another day during that window, he or she will have to take the
test during the next upcoming window.
For Computer Based Exams, cancellation or rescheduling is only possible at least 5 days or more
before the scheduled exam date. The candidate can reschedule the test online through
www.iqttesting.com. However, this requires a rescheduling fee. If a candidate has a severe
emergency, he or she may reschedule at any time, provided he or she has proper documentation
of the emergency. <ref name =Candidate Guide for the IC&RC Alcohol and Drug Counselor
Examination>[http://internationalcredentialing.org/Resources/Documents/Candidate%20Guides
/ADC%20Candidate%20Guide%201-14.pdf Candidate Guide for the IC&RC Alcohol and Drug
Counselor Examination] March 3 2014</ref>
== Scoring ==
Scores are given on a scale between 200 800 points with a required 500 points needed in order
to pass the exam. After completing the exam, candidates receive official score letters which
report their final score as well as a percentage of items that were answered correctly for each
content portion of the exam. <ref name=Candidate Guide for the IC&RC Alcohol and Drug
Counselor
Examination>[http://internationalcredentialing.org/Resources/Documents/Candidate%20Guides
/ADC%20Candidate%20Guide%201-14.pdf Candidate Guide for the IC&RC Alcohol and Drug
Counselor Examination] March 3 2014</ref>
The exam contains 150 questions, 137 of which measure 8 Domains, and 13 more on Case
History. All questions are multiple choice, giving 4 choice options, however there is no guessing
penalty. The exam is limited to 3 hours. <ref>[http://lcdcexamreview.wordpress.com/substance-
abuse-counselor-exam-overview/ What to Expect and How to Prepare for the Addictions
Counselor Exam] February 14, 2014</ref>
== Recent/Future Developments ==
Currently, over 45,000 professionals have completed and passed the Alcohol and Drug
Counselor exam worldwide. <ref name=Candidate Guide for the IC&RC Alcohol and Drug
Counselor
Examination>[http://internationalcredentialing.org/Resources/Documents/Candidate%20Guides
/ADC%20Candidate%20Guide%201-14.pdf Candidate Guide for the IC&RC Alcohol and Drug
Counselor Examination] March 3 2014</ref>
The exam is updated on a 5 year basis by professionals within the Alcohol and Drug Counselor
field whom composed IC&RC Member Boards. The exam will next be updated in 2016.
<ref>[http://internationalcredentialing.org/about About IC&RC] March 3, 2014</ref>
== References ==
<references/>
Certified Nurse Educator
== History ==
The Certified Nursing Educator exam was established on April 1, 2009 by the National
Commission for Certifying Agencies to the National League for Nursing.
<ref>[http://www.nln.org/certification/index.htm Certification for Nurse Educators] March 3,
2014</ref>
== Function of the Test ==
The Certified Nurse Educator exam was made with the express purpose to allow experienced
nurses the opportunity to facilitate education to other individuals in the field of nursing, but to
also contribute to the individuals personal development. Candidates that take the text must have
a Masters or Doctoral degree in the field or nursing with a specialization in nursing education.
The CNE 2014 Handbook states that the candidate must have either: a major emphasis in nursing
education, a post-masters certificate in nursing education, or nine or more credit hours of
graduate level education courses. Optionally, a candidate may substitute the nursing education
requirement by having two or more years of employment in a nursing program in an academic
institution within the past five years. <ref name=Certified Nurse Education (CNE) 2014
Candidate Handbook>[http://www.nln.org/certification/handbook/cne.pdf Certified Nurse
Education (CNE) 2014 Candidate Handbook] March 3, 2014</ref>
== Test Administration ==
The Certified Nurse Educator exam is computer-based and is taken at one of the 120 testing
centers of Applied Measurement Professionals, Inc (AMP) in the U.S. The test can be taken
from Monday through Saturday at available time slots at AMP testing centers.
In order to take the test, the candidate must complete the registration process and obtain a
confirmation notice of eligibility, which is given usually 4 weeks after registration.
The registration for the Certified Nurse Educator exam costs $375 for National League for
Nursing members and $475 for non-members.
The registration process may be found here: http://www.nln.org/eseries/source/security/member-
logon.cfm?Redir=(\%27http://www.nln.org/eseries/source/custom/02_personalinfo_dm.com\%2
7)
Recertification is on a basis of every five years from the date of the Nurse Educator Certificate
that was issued after the last exam taken.
If an individual has a disability, he or she must complete the Request for Special Examination
Accommodations and the Documentation of Disability-Related Needs forms within the
Certified Nurse Educator Handbook. The exam administrators, Applied Measurement
Professionals, Inc. also ask that the candidate contact them in advance either through phone or
email. <ref>[http://www.nln.org/eseries/source/custom/01_certificationexam.cfm Certified
Nurse Educator (CNE) Certification Examination registration page] March 3, 2014</ref>
It is recommended by the NLN that candidates for the Certified Nurse Educator Examination
prepare by looking at the detailed test blueprint, the test blueprint, the recommended reference
list, and sample questions on pages 12 13 of the Candidate Handbook.
<ref>[https://www.nln.org/certification/prepare/index.htm Preparing for the Certified Nurse
Educator Examination] March 3, 2014</ref>
*The Detailed Test Blueprint can be found here:
https://www.nln.org/certification/information/detailedblueprint.pdf
*The Test Blueprint can be found here:
https://www.nln.org/certification/information/blueprint.pdf
*The Recommended reference list is found here:
https://www.nln.org/certification/information/references.pdf
*The Candidate Handbook is found here: https://www.nln.org/certification/handbook/index.htm
== Scoring ==
In the test, there are 150 multiple choice questions. Only 130 questions count towards the final
score, however the other 20 questions are used for experimental purposes for future tests. The
exam has a time limit of 3 hours. There is no exact number that is needed to pass the exam as
some individual exams are more difficult than others, however a raw score report is issued to the
candidate once the score has been graded to let them know if they passed or failed.
<ref>[http://www.nln.org/certification/information/faq.htm FAQs] March 3, 2014</ref>
There are three types of questions: Recall, Application, and Analysis. Each of the 130 questions
are multiple choice with four answer choices. There is no penalty for incorrect answers. Each
type of question belongs in 6 major categories. <ref name=Certified Nurse Education (CNE)
2014 Candidate Handbook>[http://www.nln.org/certification/handbook/cne.pdf Certified Nurse
Education (CNE) 2014 Candidate Handbook] March 3, 2014</ref>
== Recent/Future Developments ==
The Certified Nurse Educator exam is currently the only National exam for accreditation of nurse
educators in the United States, however several state organizations offer their own forms of
nurse education certifications.
== References ==
<references/>
CHMM
== History ==
The Certified Hazardous Materials Management Exam is given by the IHMM. The test is
developed through the IHMM board and questions for the exam are submitted by active
CHMMs. <ref>[http://www.ihmm.org/applicants/examination-information Examination
Information] March 3, 2014</ref>
== Function of the Test ==
The CHMM is designed to allow Hazardous Materials Managers to recertify their qualification
as a Certified Hazardous Materials Manager. Candidates have a Bachelors degree in hazardous
materials management, environmental sciences, a physical science, or a related field as well as a
minimum of four years in hazardous materials management. This test is for individuals
employed within the United States and all applications for the certification are required to be
made every 5 years. <ref>[http://www.ihmm.org/applicants/eligibility-requirements-chmm
Eligibility Requirements CHMM] March 3, 2014</ref>
There are currently 15,000 CHMMs across the world all of which have professionally advised on
the proper handling and management of hazardous materials in order to ensure safety and
compliance with industry regulations. <ref name=CHMM
FAQs>[http://www.ihmm.org/applicants/faq-general-applicants Applicant FAQ] March 3,
2014</ref>
== Test Administration ==
The CHMM is tested through Kryterion HOST Network, which has 650 facilities across the
world.
Testing is done through a computer format and is given on an on-demand basis by Kryterion
HOST Network.
For the first time a candidate takes the CHMM, total fees amount to $675, which includes the
application fee, examination fee, and annual certification maintenance fee for the first year.
<ref>[http://www.ihmm.org/certificants/pay-a-fee IHMM Credential Fee Schedule] March 3,
2014</ref>
=== Recertification ===
The CHMM requires recertification to be taken every five years from the date the last certificate
was issued.
The candidate does not have to pay the IHMM for recertification if he or she can provide
required documentation, however if he or she decides to recertify by exam, the cost is $360
payable to the IHMM with a late/expired fee of $25 (if applicable).
In order to recertify for the CHMM, the candidate must have at least 200 Certification
Maintenance Points (CMPs) during a five year time scale. There is a long list of where CMPs
come from, however different qualifying activities allow the candidate for the CHMM to earn
more CMPs than other activities. <ref>[http://www.ihmm.org/applicants/examination-
information Examination Information] March 3, 2014</ref>
=== Recertification Costs ===
Recertification costs $175, non-refundable after submitting the application .
=== Retaking the CHMM ===
A candidate may retake the CHMM two times after submitting a Retake Form without penalty.
However, after a third failure to pass the CHMM, the candidate must wait 12 months before
taking the test again. <ref name=CHMM FAQs>[http://www.ihmm.org/applicants/faq-general-
applicants Applicant FAQ] March 3, 2014</ref>
== Scoring ==
There are a total of 140 multiple-choice questions on the CHMM exam, with the final score
based on a pass/fail basis. There is no penalty for attempting to answer all questions. <ref
name=CHMM FAQs>[http://www.ihmm.org/applicants/faq-general-applicants Applicant
FAQ] March 3, 2014 </ref>
== Recent/Future Developments ==
In 2009, the exam was divided into seven sections, however on July 1, 2013, the exam consisted
of an updated 12 sections. <ref name=Table of Specifications for the Certified Hazardous
Materials Manager
Examination>[http://www.ihmm.org/sites/default/files/doc/chmm%20examination%20blueprin
t.pdf Table of Specifications for the Certified Hazardous Materials Manager Examination] March
3, 2014 </ref>
== References ==
<references/>
Ambulatory Care Nurse
== History ==
The Ambulatory Care Nurse exam (ACN) is conducted by the American Nurses Credentialing
Center, a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association. The exam is accredited by the
National Commission for Certifying Agencies and the Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing
Certification.
== Function of the Test ==
The ACN is designed to certify nurses with a current, active RN license within the United States
or an equivalent license in other countries. With the Ambulatory Care certification, nurses are
able to specialize and provide care to patients that enter medical care centers in an ambulatory
setting. <ref>[http://www.testprepreview.com/ambulatorycare.htm Ambulatory Care Nurse
Exam Review] March 4, 2014</ref>
=== Qualifications to Take the Test ===
The applicant must be a Registered Nurse, have either an Associate Degree or a diploma from an
accredited 2-year RN program, have worked at least 2 years full-time as an ambulatory care
nurse with 2,000 hours in the past 3 years, as well as have at least 30 hours of continuing
education in ambulatory care nursing.
== Test Administration ==
The ACN exam has two testing formats depending upon whether the nurse takes the exam before
June 4, 2014 and after June 8, 2014. <ref>[http://www.nursecredentialing.org/AmbulatoryTCOs
Ambulatory Care Nursing Test Content Outlines (TCO)] March 4, 2014</ref>
The testing is available year round and candidates may schedule a test date during a 90 day
window at a time and location that best suits them.
<ref>[http://www.nursecredentialing.org/AmbulatoryCareNursing#studyAids Ambulatory Care
Nursing Exam] March 4, 2014</ref>
=== Testing Fees ===
*For non-members of the ANA, certification fees are $395.
*For ANA members, certification fees are $270.
*For members of the American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing, certification fees are
$340.
=== Retesting ===
If the candidate does not pass the initial exam, he or she may take the test again after 60 days.
He or she may not test more than 3 times in a period of 12 months.
<ref>[ http://www.nursecredentialing.org/Retesting.aspx Retesting] March 4, 2014</ref>
== Scoring ==
The ACN exam consists of 175 multiple choice questions, 25 of those questions being
experimental. The test has a maximum time limit of 3.5 hours.
For the exam that is effective during the present up to June 4, 2014, there are five sections:
<ref>[http://www.nursecredentialing.org/Ambulatory-TCO2012 Ambulatory Care Nursing
Board Certification Test Content Outline Effective May 7, 2012] February 9, 2011</ref>
== Recent/Future Developments ==
The exam format will change on June 9, 2014 in order to transform from a five-section exam to a
four-section exam. The new format also includes questions that have been updated by the
American Nurses Credentialing Center and Resident Nurses whom have Ambulatory Care
Nursing Certification
== References ==
<references/>