ASNT Computer Based Testing Transition

Reference Guide for International Examination Partners

This is prepared exclusively for the use of international ASNT examination partners and affected
international ASNT local sections that will deliver ASNT computer based testing (CBT).

Please contact Mary Potter, ASNT Chief Financial Officer, for any questions or concerns regarding
information in this document.
Mary Potter
800-222-2768 X203
mpotter@asnt.org

This information is confidential and not intended for any other entity unless specifically noted or
otherwise presented by ASNT.
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Table of Contents

Section Page
Important Dates and Timeline 3
Facilities, Equipment and Computer Based Testing (CBT) Operations 4
Application for Certification 5
Scheduling of Exams 6
Exam Administration 8
Marketing of Exam Partners 10
Assignment of Exclusive Territories 10
Financial Model 10

The additional documents below are required for exam partners transitioning to
CBT. They are available for download at ASNT CBT Transition for AEC’s webpage
at https://asnt.org/MajorSiteSections/Certification/CBT_Transition.

 Nondisclosure Agreement
 Pearson VUE Authorized Test Centers Policies and Procedures Guide
 PVTC Technical Requirements
 ASNT AEC Facility Requirements for Electronic Exam Delivery
 Contact Information Form

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Dear Valued Partners,

This reference details process changes after the conversion to Pearson VUE as the administrator of ASNT
computer based testing and the elimination of paper and pencil exams.

Important Dates and Timeline

May 2016

 ASNT transition to Pearson VUE CBT system goes live in the United States.

June 2016

 Communications to our International Partners on Pearson VUE as the administrator of ASNT

Computer Based Exams
 Nondisclosure Agreements signed in order to exchange information concerning Pearson VUE
procedures and policies for administering exams.

June – July 2016

 International Partner’s must decide whether they will continue to deliver exams through CBT.
International Partners should return “contact information” to ASNT to be established as an AEC
in the Pearson VUE system.

August- September 2016

 Roll out of Pearson VUE CBT system to International Partners

 Approval of International Partner’s CBT facilities and procedures
 Delivery of exams through Pearson VUE centers will begin

December 2016

 Paper and Pencil exams will no longer be available.

IMPORTANT:
ASNT will eliminate the classifications of NSO and SES. All exam providers will need to meet the
qualifications of an Authorized Exam Center. All references to “exam partners” and “AEC’s” in this
document are solely intended for organizations that choose to convert to the Pearson VUE Testing
System and will continue to provide ASNT exams after September 2016.

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FACILITIES, EQUIPMENT, AND COMPUTER BASED TESTING (CBT) OPERATIONS

Currently:
Exam partners administer paper and pencil exams in various settings such as hotel rooms, auditoriums,
and office facilities.

Going Forward Computer Based Testing Exams will require:

Computer Workstations and CBT can be set up as workgroup or server environment:
network (Size and type of network Workgroup for delivery up to 15 exam workstations; Server
and equipment) need for more than 15 exam delivery workstations
Refer to PVTC -Technical Requirements document.

Facilities Fixed Facilities are required.

All the facilities will need to be reviewed and approved by

ASNT for administering CBT exams. Refer to ASNTAEC Facility
requirements document.

Computer based testing (CBT) Pearson VUE Regional VSS group will help install and set up
Software Installation and Setup system. Before the process can begin, you will have to provide
the appropriate contact information to ASNT. Please complete
form Contact Information AEC.doc and return to ASNT.

After that information is received, Pearson VUE channel sales

will be in contact to start the process.

Pearson VUE will generate a Site ID for each location and then
send email with directions to download and install CBT
software.

Sites will need to complete the following steps to be activated.

1. Install Software on all delivery stations.
2. Install software on Proctor or Administrator stations.
3. Install site certification to allow access to Pearson VUE
network.
4. Complete Proctor/Administration Training.

Exam monitors Monitors will go through extensive Pearson VUE online

training and documentation and will test to be certified by
Pearson VUE.

CBT testing operating procedures Sites will be required to adopt specific operating procedures
for delivering CBT exams. They will be required to adopt
Pearson vie for customer check in and exam monitoring.

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APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATION

Currently:
AEC’s play a major role in collecting applications and fees. Candidates are able to apply for certification
through a paper application that submitted either to ASNT directly or to the NSO/AEC/SES and may or
may not provide an email which may be used by one or more other people in the ASNT database.

Going forward Computer Based Testing Exams will require:

Application submission
Candidate applies directly to ASNT using On-Line certification
application. The new online system allows candidates to
submit application, documentation and payment by credit
card securely. This process also allows individuals that cannot
pay by credit card to submit the application and then send
payment by wire or check.

Unique email address Candidates will be required to have a unique email address in
order to apply for ASNT certification.

Application payment Candidates will pay ASNT directly.

Exam sitting fee payment Candidates will pay ASNT directly.

Payment receipts ASNT will continue to send electronic receipts to candidates

through ShopASNT@asnt.org.

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SCHEDULING OF EXAMS
Currently:
ASNT approves the dates and times requested when a candidate applies for certification. All
communications regarding approval/authorization to test and changes to already scheduled exams are
through ASNT directly.
Going forward Computer Based Testing Exams will require:
Scheduling of CBT exams
Scheduling Practical Exams
Cancelling and rescheduling testing
times
Communications regarding approval
and appointment details
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Organizations will set the days and times of availability to give
exams through the Pearson VUE software.
Candidates will apply for certification directly through ASNT.
Candidates will not need to provide scheduling preferences at
the time of the application.
Once the application is approved, Pearson VUE will send an
email when the computer-based testing scheduling system is
open The Candidate will schedule through Pearson VUE
website, Pearson VUE customer service number or directly
through your organization
Practical exams will continue to be scheduled directly through
AEC’s.
Candidates must reschedule or cancel exams through the
Pearson VUE scheduling system. Scheduling assistance can be
through the Pearson VUE Online system, by phone with
Pearson VUE customer service or through the AEC (who will
record it in Pearson VUE system for the candidate).
Candidates will be able to cancel at least one full business day
(24 hours) prior to the scheduled appointment without a
penalty. Cancelling less than 24 hours prior to an appointment
or missing an appointment will result in forfeiture of
certification application and exam sitting fees.
Candidates will receive the following communications:
Upon application approval
ASNT will send the candidate an email notifying him/her of
application approval.
Pearson VUE will send an email within 2 business days the
scheduling system is open to schedule the date and time for
the exam.
Exam appointment details
Pearson VUE will send a confirmation email indicating the
exam appointment date and time, directions to your
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examination center, admissions policy, and
reschedule/cancellation policy.

Reminder email
Pearson VUE will send a reminder email to the candidate 7
days prior to the appointment with the appointment details
included.

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EXAM ADMINISTRATION
Currently:
Exam partners are responsible for the heavy administrative burden of distributing and collecting
important exam related documents by hand such as sign-in sheets, exam instructions, nondisclosure
agreement, comments on exams, and scratch paper.

Going forward Computer Based Testing Exams will require:

Sign-in process: Photo and Test centers will now collect a photo of all test takers and use
signatures a digital signature.

Photo and signature are collected electronically through a

camera and signature pad

Digital signature device

The digital signature device consists of an electronic pad and a
stylus (pen) and is also connected to the administration
workstation. Candidates provide an electronic signature by
signing the pad using the stylus.

Camera
The test center installs a digital camera used to take
Candidate photos. This camera is mounted in a stationary
position near the administration workstation and is focused on
a chair in which candidates sit while being photographed

The digital signature and camera can be purchased from

Pearson VUE.
Exam instructions Exam instructions are embedded in the exam. Candidates will
read them and agree to the exam instructions electronically.

Nondisclosure agreement Nondisclosure agreement is embedded in the exam.

Candidates will read them and agree to terms of the
nondisclosure agreement electronically.

Reference booklet Reference booklet is embedded in the exam.

Calculator Calculator is included in the exam software.

Translation dictionary
An online dictionary is included in the exam. There are five
languages available in the online exam dictionary: Arabic,
Korean, Mandarin, Spanish and British English. The
translation provided represents the single most common
usage of the word and we do not guarantee that each
translation given will match the intended usage in context of
the ASNT certification exam.

Comments on exam questions Exam software has functionality to collect exam comments.

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Scratch paper Dry Erase boards will be used instead. Pearson VUE will
provide dry erase boards for individuals to use while testing.

Candidate results reporting Exam results will be available immediately for most CBT
exams.

Instruction Preparation and Procedure preparation exams

results will be delayed.

Incident reporting Report Unusual or suspicious activity via Pearson VUE’s

incident Reporting system.

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MARKETING OF EXAM PARTNERS

ASNT will continue to prominently market the AEC as an exam delivery option.

AEC’S should continue to prominently market ASNT certification programs on websites, in periodicals,
newsletters and communication to customers/members.

ASSIGNMENT OF EXCLUSIVE TERRITORIES

At present, ASNT has granted some organizations an exclusive territory to give ASNT certification exams.

ASNT will consider granting exclusive territories based on the AEC’s ability to show capacity and exam
administration at a sustained high rate and compliance to ASNT requirements

FINANCIAL MODEL
Investment in computer based testing system will vary based on the facilities and number of
workstations. This investment is the responsivity of the AEC.
Pearson VUE will furnish the camera and signature pad for approximately $400.

ASNT will remit the applicable exam sitting fees back to your organization on a determined interval for
exams administered at your facilities. The fee will vary based on the duration of the exam.

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