Industry Competency Examination Proctor Guide

Transcription

1 Industry Competency Examination Proctor Guide

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS INDUSTRY COMPETENCY EXAMINATION...1 INTRODUCTION...1 RECEIPT OF EXAMINATION MATERIALS...1 EXAMINATION SECURITY... 2 EXAMINATION SCHEDULE... 2 PROCTOR S PREPARATIONS... 3 ADMITTING THE CANDIDATES... 3 PRE-EXAMINATION PROCEDURES... 4 CANDIDATE INSTRUCTIONS...4 SCRIPT FOR INDUSTRY COMPETENCY EXAMINATIONS... 5 PROCEDURES DURING THE EXAMINATION... 7 LEAVING THE ROOM... 7 ANSWERING QUESTIONS... 7 HANDLING IRREGULARITIES... 7 CHECKLIST FOR COLLECTING MATERIALS FROM EACH CANDIDATE..8 POST-EXAMINATION PROCEDURES...8 PROCEDURES FOR RETURNING EXAMINATION MATERIALS...8

3 INDUSTRY COMPETENCY EXAMINATION INTRODUCTION This guide is designed to familiarize the proctor with the procedures and security measures required by NATE in the administration of the Industry Competency Examination. In order to ensure that the examinations are administered properly, it is imperative that all testing personnel be familiar with the contents of this manual. This manual contains explicit instructions for the procedures to be carried out during each phase of the test administration. Every test site must have an ICE Proctor serving as the Test Administrator. The proctor may use assisting proctors, but it is the primary ICE Proctor remains responsible for all testing activities. The ICE Proctor can proctor a class up to 25 candidates. There must be one proctoring assistant for every 25 applicants after the first 25. School instructors are allowed to sit for the examinations, but cannot take the examination and proctor the examinations at the same time. RECEIPT OF EXAMINATION MATERIALS The examination materials will be shipped from VGI to the ICE Proctor approximately five working days before the examination. The ICE Proctor will receive the following materials: 1. Examination packets for each session sealed in security envelopes. 2. Pre-paid UPS Ground label for return of all required materials. 3. Proctor Pack The ICE Proctor must check that the shipment has been received and that contents of the carton(s) match the Shipping Record enclosed with the shipment. A thorough inventory of all materials received should be completed upon receipt. The ICE Proctor is responsible for confirming that enough materials have been received and that the materials correspond with those listed on the shipping record. 1

4 EXAMINATION SECURITY ICE Proctors must safeguard the examination materials before, during, and after the test administration. The examination packages may not be opened at any time or any place other than in the testing room prior to distribution to applicants. In addition to locking the sealed examination packages in a safe and secure place when not in use, the following security measures are to be observed. 1. The examination materials are not to be tampered with prior to, during, or after the test administration. 2. Testing personnel are not permitted to view the contents of the examination booklets during the test unless an error in the exam is reported. In this case the ICE proctor is restricted to viewing only the area of suspected error. 3. Duplicating or retaining any portion of the examination is strictly forbidden. 4. Candidates are allowed to use the back of the Answer Card for scratch paper. No other scratch paper will be allowed. 5. Candidates are not allowed to write in the examination booklet. 6. Test booklets and answer cards must never leave the testing room without the supervision of the ICE Proctor. 7. After the test administration, examination booklets and answer cards must be counted to verify that all of them have been returned. 8. All test booklets and answer cards together with all administrative materials must be sealed in the classroom immediately after the test. The sealing should be done in the presence of at least one applicant. EXAMINATION SCHEDULE Candidates must have the following time to complete each testing session. Light Commercial Exam (2 hours) Commercial Refrigeration Exam (2 hours) Residential Exam (3.5 hours = 35 minutes per section) The ICE Proctor and assistant proctors should arrive no later than 30 minutes before the test session to ensure the testing site is properly set up. 2

5 ICE Proctor Preparations The ICE Proctor and any assistant proctors should meet prior to the day of the test administration to review procedures and to check the testing facilities to ensure that all arrangements are complete. At this meeting, any additional proctors are to be informed of the time they are to report to the test center and of tasks that are assigned to carry out, such as working at the registration desk or seating the candidates. The schedule for the examination is to be reviewed by all staff at this time. On the morning of the examination, the ICE proctor must check the facilities again. Proctors must review the physical arrangements so that candidates can be instructed as to the location of restrooms, water fountains, storage areas, eating facilities, etc. Task assignments are to be reviewed as well as any seating charts or special arrangements. In the event of inclement weather, the ICE Proctor should open the test center if it is possible to do so. The test should be administered to those candidates who come to the test center. However, candidates who call to verify administration of the examination should be discouraged from attending if they might be exposed to dangerous weather conditions. The ICE Proctor should contact NATE ( ) if emergency conditions prevent testing and the testing date will need to be rescheduled. Examination materials should be set out and separated into the following groups: 1. Examination packets divided into three test sessions. 2. Test Transmittal Forms (one for each session). If a clock is not available or is not visible to all candidates, write the time on the blackboard. The following information is also to be written on the blackboard (if no blackboard is available, announce the information): 1. The title of the examination(s). 2. The date of the test administration. 3. The time schedule for the examination. ADMITTING THE CANDIDATES Make certain that each candidate has a photo ID before admitting the candidate to the examination room. Any candidate who arrives after the exam session has begun should not be admitted to the session. 3

6 PRE-EXAMINATION PROCEDURES In an attempt to ensure uniform and prescribed testing conditions for all candidates, the following procedures aimed at minimizing the likelihood of cheating have been instituted: 1. Visitors are not to be permitted at the test center. Only candidates and testing personnel are permitted. 2. Carefully follow candidate admission and sign-in procedures described in this manual. 3. Do not allow candidates to select their own seats. Candidates should be randomly directed to seats. 4. Announce that examination results are subject to invalidation should a candidate be found cheating. 5. Candidates may use a silent, non-printing, non-programmable, hand-held calculator. 6. The answer cards, test booklet, calculator, and pencils ONLY may be on the writing surface. All other items such as cell phones (OFF), coats, purses, books, notes, etc., must be stored away from desks. 7. Candidates should be warned immediately to refrain from speaking to other candidates. If this behavior persists, one of the candidates should be moved to another seat and the names and identification numbers of the candidates involved recorded on the comment section of the Test Transmittal Form. Any such report could result in the invalidation of test scores. If warranted, the ICE proctor may remove the candidate(s) from the session and the exam(s) invalidated. Before beginning the scripted instructions please make general announcements regarding the following information: 1. No Smoking is permitted in the test site during the test. 2. Point out areas for storing personal belongings. 3. Point out location of restrooms and water fountains. 4. Double check writing accommodations for left-handed candidates. 5. Point out location of eating facilities. CANDIDATE INSTRUCTIONS It is the duty of the ICE Proctor to be present throughout an examination, inform assisting proctors of their duties, and corroborate and report suspicious behaviors, if any, to NATE immediately. Once all candidates are properly seated, the appropriate script (BOLD) must be read aloud to all applicants. Do NOT alter the wording. Pause between procedural directions to give the candidates enough time to carry them out. 4

7 SCRIPT FOR INDUSTRY COMPETENCY EXAMINATIONS GOOD (morning, afternoon) LADIES/GENTLEMEN, MY NAME IS (name). I AM A REGISTERED PROCTOR FOR THE INDUSTRY COMPETENCY EXAMINATION. IN A FEW MINUTES I WILL DISTRIBUTE THE TEST PACKAGES AND BEGIN THE TESTING. DO NOT OPEN YOUR TEST UNTIL INSTRUCTED TO DO SO. THE TEST(S) OFFERED IN THIS SESSION ARE: select from following (RESIDENTIAL AIR CONDITIONING AND HEATING, LIGHT COMMERCIAL AIR CONDITIONING AND HEATING, OR COMMERCIAL REFRIGERATION). ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS ON THE EXAMINATIONS OFFERED? (Wait for Questions.) DURING THE EXAMINATION, CANDIDATES MAY NOT GIVE HELP TO, OR RECEIVE HELP FROM, OTHER CANDIDATES. EXAMINERS ARE REQUIRED TO REPORT ANY INCIDENT THAT GIVES A CANDIDATE AN UNFAIR ADVANTAGE. ANY SUCH REPORT COULD RESULT IN THE INVALIDATION OF TEST SCORES. CANDIDATES MAY NOT ENGAGE IN CONVERSATION DURING THE EXAMINATION. IF YOU WISH TO LEAVE THE ROOM DURING THE EXAMINATION, YOUR TEST BOOKLET MUST BE LEFT WITH ME (OR ANOTHER PROCTOR). RAISE YOUR HAND AND I (OR AN ASSISTING PROCTOR) WILL COLLECT YOUR TEST MATERIALS. ONLY ONE PERSON MAY BE EXCUSED FROM THE ROOM AT A TIME. WHEN YOU HAVE COMPLETED THE EXAMINATION PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. REMAIN SEATED UNTIL YOU ARE INSTRUCTED TO TURN IN YOUR MATERIALS. YOU MUST RETURN THE EXAM BOOKLET AND ANSWER CARDS. NO NOTES OF ANY KIND ARE TO BE TAKEN FROM THE EXAMINATION ROOM. BE SURE THAT YOUR VERSION CONTROL BLOCK AND TEST APPLICANT IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ARE ON THE ANSWER CARDS AND THAT THEY ARE CORRECT. BE CERTAIN YOU HAVE SIGNED THE SIGNATURE BLOCK ON THE ANSWER CARD. PLEASE HAVE YOUR PHOTO ID READY AND SHOW IT TO ME AS YOU TURN IN YOUR TEST. ALL TESTING TODAY IS CLOSED BOOK. YOU ARE PERMITTED TO HAVE A CALCULATOR AND TWO PENCILS. IF YOU HAVE ANY OTHER MATERIALS THEY MUST BE REMOVED AT THIS TIME. (Wait for applicants to remove materials to designated place.) THE TEST PACKAGES I AM ABOUT TO DISTRIBUTE ARE SEALED. EACH PACKAGE CONTAINS DIFFERENT VERSIONS OF THE TESTS. PLEASE DO NOT OPEN THE TESTS OR WRITE ON THEM. (Wait until all students have received tests and classroom is orderly. Reemphasize that applicants are NOT to open tests until told to do so. Primary and assistant proctors can either separate the classroom by examination types prior to the start OR may call for a show of hands to see which candidates get each examination.) YOU SHOULD NOW HAVE IN FRONT OF YOU YOUR EXAMINATION PACKET, A CALCULATOR, AND A NO. 2 PENCIL. CHECK TO SEE THAT THE EXAMINATION YOU HAVE RECEIVED HAS THE IDENTICAL TITLE AS THE EXAMINATION REQUESTED. IF YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE WRONG EXAMINATION, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. 5

8 YOU MAY NOW OPEN THE TEST PACKET AND BEGIN TO COMPLETE THE ANSWER CARD. ENTER TODAY S DATE IN THE SPACE PROVIDED. ENTER YOUR NAME IN THE SPACE PROVIDED. PRINT CLEARLY AND ACCURATELY. NEXT WRITE IN YOUR TEST APPLICANT IDENTIFICATION NUMBER. ENTER YOUR MAILING ADDRESS IN THE SPACES PROVIDED. WHERE IT ASKS THAT YOU INSERT THE PROCTOR S IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, PLEASE ENTER THE FOLLOWING NUMBER: (Your proctor number) YOU WILL SEE FOUR SMALL BLOCKS ON YOUR ANSWER CARD. FILL IN THE EMPTY BLOCKS ON YOUR ANSWER CARD WITH THE SAME PATTERN THAT IS ON THE COVER OF YOUR TEST (Residential Only) OR ON THE FIRST PAGE OF YOUR TEST (Light Commercial and Commercial). BE ACCURATE IN ALL ENTRIES. IF AN ERROR ON YOUR PART REQUIRES A REPRINTING OF YOUR CERTIFICATE YOU WILL BE CHARGED AN ADDED REPRINTING CHARGE. WHEN YOU HAVE FINISHED PLEASE PLACE YOUR PENCIL DOWN AND WAIT FOR MY INSTRUCTIONS. (Pause and wait for all students to finish.) BEFORE BEGINNING THE TEST, CAREFULLY READ THE IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON THE COVER OF YOUR EXAM. MAKE SURE THAT THE NUMBER OF THE QUESTION THAT YOU ARE ANSWERING CORRESPONDS TO THE NUMBER ON THE ANSWER CARD. (Light Commercial or Commercial Exam) YOU WILL HAVE TWO HOURS TO COMPLETE THE TEST. I WILL GIVE YOU THE TIME REMAINING EVERY 15 MINUTES. THE PASSING SCORE FOR THIS EXAM IS 60. (Residential Exam) YOU WILL HAVE THREE AND A HALF HOURS TO COMPLETE THE TEST (35 MINUTES PER SECTION). TO RECEIVE A CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCY, YOU MUST PASS A SPECIALTY SECTION AS WELL AS THE CORE SECTION WITH A GRADE OF 70% OR BETTER ON EACH SECTION. YOU WILL HAVE 35 MINUTES TO COMPLETE YOUR FIRST SECTION. I WILL NOTIFY YOU WHEN TIME HAS EXPIRED FOR THAT SECTION. I WILL THEN ASK THAT YOU CONTINUE TO YOUR SECOND SECTION. YOU WILL HAVE 35 MINUTES TO COMPLETE YOUR SECOND SECTION. THIS PROCEDURE WILL CONTINUE FOR ALL SIX SECTIONS. YOU MAY TAKE AS LITTLE AS ONE SECTION OR ALL SIX SECTIONS. THE SECTIONS MAY BE TAKEN IN ANY ORDER. YOU WILL ONLY BE GRADED ON THE SECTIONS THAT YOU HAVE TAKEN TODAY. AFTER YOU HAVE BEEN INSTRUCTED THAT TIME HAS EXPIRED FOR A PARTICULAR SECTION, DO NOT RETURN TO THAT SECTION. IF YOU ARE CAUGHT RETURNING TO THAT SECTION, YOU WILL RECEIVE A GRADE OF ZERO. DO NOT BEGIN THE NEXT SECTION UNTIL INSTRUCTED TO DO SO. I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ANSWER ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS ON ANY SUBJECT ONCE THE TEST BEGINS. FOR THIS FINAL TIME I WILL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS? (Wait for questions.) YOU MAY BEGIN TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS. REMEMBER, THERE IS TO BE NO CONVERSATION BETWEEN APPLICANTS. GOOD LUCK TO EACH OF YOU. 6

9 PROCEDURES DURING THE EXAMINATION Proctor(s) should circulate throughout the room during the examination period, checking to see that all candidates are using the answer cards correctly. They should pay particular attention to the accuracy of the identification number that each candidate has entered on his or her answer card and should make certain that each candidate is filling in the boxes on his or her answer card completely. LEAVING THE ROOM Only one candidate may leave the room at a time. It is mandatory that the candidate give his/her examination materials to a proctor before leaving the room. If a second candidate wishes to leave the room, the candidate must be advised that he/she may leave once the other candidate has returned. This is to ensure that the examination is not discussed among the candidates. ANSWERING QUESTIONS When a candidate asks questions pertaining to procedure, the proctor(s) is to answer those questions fully and clearly. When a candidate asks a question pertaining to the content of a specific question in the examination such as What does this mean? or I don t understand this question. The proctor(s) should tactfully avoid entering into a discussion of the question. The proctor(s) should respond with a statement such as, I m sorry, but I cannot help you with that; I can only answer procedural questions, not those on the content of the exam. HANDLING IRREGULARITIES Illness: If a candidate is unable to complete the examination and leaves before the end of the examination period, the name of the candidate and the candidate s reason for leaving must be documented on the Test Transmittal Form. Separate this candidate s test materials from the other candidate s materials. Error in the Examination: If a candidate appears to have found an error in the examination, such as a choice omitted, the proctor is to announce to the candidates that they should answer the question to the best of their ability and that the error will be brought to the attention of VGI and NATE. Relay this information using the Test Transmittal Form. Defective Materials: Any defective booklet or answer card is to be collected and replaced without loss of testing time for candidates. The booklet is to be marked DEFECTIVE, indicating the type of error and the location of it. The defective materials must be returned to NATE's exam administrator and noted on the Test Transmittal Form. 7

10 Candidates may leave as soon as they finish their examination. Prior to departing the test room they must return all examination materials to the testing personnel. Please direct all applicants who are to take a second test to an area away from the test room until the next exam. At the end of the time period, announce to any candidates still in the room that they must immediately stop their work and turn their answer card face down. Call each candidate, one at a time, to the front of the room and have them turn in their test materials. The Primary ICE Proctor must mark the time the test ended on the Test Transmittal Form. CHECKLIST FOR COLLECTING MATERIALS FROM EACH CANDIDATE Be certain to collect ALL test materials from each candidate. Check the candidate s photo ID and be certain it matches the name on the answer card. Check the following on the answer cards from all candidates: 1. The candidate s name has been written properly on the answer card. 2. The candidate s identification number has been written properly on the answer card. 3. The test code on each answer card corresponds to the test code on the inside of the examination booklet. Have the candidate place all materials in the return envelope and seal. Initial the packet at this time. Proctor(s) must collect all examination materials. Unused or collected examination materials must never be left on the proctor's table unattended. POST-EXAMINATION PROCEDURES Once all the examination packets have been collected, count them and enter the number collected in the appropriate space on the back of the Test Transmittal Form. The number of examination packets collected MUST equal the number of packets distributed. Packets containing defective booklets should be included in both counts. The primary ICE Proctor must complete the rest of the information requested on the form and sign it. Ship the examination packets and the signed Test Transmittal Form to NATE's exam administrator. EACH PACKET MUST BE FOR ONE TEST TYPE ONLY. DO NOT MIX TEST TYPES. PROCEDURES FOR RETURNING EXAMINATION MATERIALS All return shipping has been prepaid. A UPS Ground label is included in the materials. When shipping test materials, use the same shipping carton in which the materials were shipped. The Proctor's return shipment must include the following: 1. All used and unused examination packets. 2. A properly completed Test Transmittal Form for EACH test session. The materials from each test session should be packed together in a single return box. Test Materials should be returned to the address provided within 48 hours of the testing session. This ensures candidates receive their results in a timely manner. 8