Post Examination Information

Post Examination Process

Report of Results

Examination results will be mailed to candidates approximately six weeks after the Examination date. The passing score, established by NCBDE in consultation with psychometricians from AMP, is 70 scaled score units. Scaled scores are reported for the following reason: new versions of the Examination are introduced each year with a certain number of questions having been replaced in each content area. This may cause different versions (forms) of the Examination to vary somewhat in difficulty. To ensure fairness, a statistical method called equating is used to adjust for these differences. In the equating process, the minimum raw score (number of correctly answered questions) required to equal the passing scaled score of 70 is statistically adjusted (equated). The difficulty of the Examination form determines the actual number of questions which must be answered correctly to achieve a scaled score of 70. The new raw passing score is determined after comparing the difficulty of the new Examination form to the previous Examination form. A candidate must obtain or exceed a scaled score of 70 units in order to pass.

The Examination score report sent to candidates includes the following:

  1. An overall report of Pass or Fail
  2. A Total Scaled Score, which is statistically derived from the Total Score. This number is between 0 and 99 units. It is not a percent.
  3. A Total Score – the number of correctly answered questions.

In addition to the candidate’s total scaled score and the scaled score required to pass, raw scores are reported for the three major categories on the Content Outline. The number of questions answered correctly in each major category compared to the total number of questions possible in that category is reported on the score report (e.g., 15/20). Content categorical information is provided to assist candidates in identifying areas of relative strength and weakness; however, passing or failing the Examination is based ONLY on the scaled score. Although a degree of confusion might be avoided by reporting only scaled scores to candidates, NCBDE and AMP believe that by reporting raw scores in addition to scaled scores, candidates can learn important information about their area(s) of weakness by examining raw subscores by content areas.

Confidentiality

  1. Individual Examination scores are released ONLY to the candidate. No results will be provided by telephone, electronic mail or facsimile.
  2. Questions concerning Examination results must be referred in writing to NCBDE or AMP Examination Services Department.

Requests for Handscoring

Systematic quality control measures are taken to insure accurate scanning of answer sheets for the Examination. Candidates who do not pass the Examination may request a manual verification of the computer scoring by submitting a written request to AMP. A fee of $15 for rescoring must be included with the request, check payable to AMP, and a copy of the score report. Requests must be received within 100 days of the Examination date. Upon receipt of a written request and fee, the candidate’s answer sheet will be inspected and handscored. This process takes approximately 30 days.

To ensure correct reporting of results, the testing agency selects a random sampling of Examinations of candidates who score within one unit of passing. These tests are manually rescored as a quality control measure before results are mailed. Thus, it is extremely doubtful that any Examination results will be changed from “fail” to “pass” if rescored. Candidates whose scores are close to passing are encouraged not to request verification of their scores.

Re-Examination

There is no limit to the number of times unsuccessful candidates may take the Examination, provided eligibility requirements in effect at the time of applying for re- Examination are met. The current Application must be completed and submitted with applicable fee each time.

Certificates and Wallet Cards

Approximately three months after Examination score reports are mailed, complimentary certificates and wallet cards are provided by NCBDE to those who pass. Candidates’ names are printed exactly as they appear on the applications.

Duplicate Score Report

A duplicate score report must be requested in writing within a year of the Examination date. Requests must include name, social security number, mailing address, Examination date, test center, and signature and be submitted to NCBDE, 330 E. Algonquin Road, Suite 4, Arlington Heights, Illinois 60005. The fee for a duplicate score report is $20; a check or money order made payable to NCBDE for this amount must accompany the request.