UNDERSTANDING AND INTERPRETING each examination revision, the passing score may change

in response to the assessed difficulties of any new, scored

YOUR EXAMINATION SCORE REPORT items that are placed on the examination revision. In the
end, the modified Angoff technique results in an objectively-
established minimum passing score against which every
This publication was created to help you understand how candidate is measured, and which provides every candidate
BCSP sets the minimum passing score for its examinations the same opportunity to pass.
and how you can interpret the score report you received.
How to Interpret Your Examination Score
Examination Structure When you completed the examination at the computer-testing
The purpose of the examination is to measure whether center, you received a pass/fail result. If you passed, scores
candidates have demonstrated at least a minimum standard are not released. If you failed the examination, you need to
of knowledge of safety practice at the level for which they understand how you scored in each domain of practice and
are being tested. The current examinations’ structures are use that information to develop a mitigation strategy for further
based on validation studies. Validation studies involve people preparation before retaking the examination. Certification
in safety practice who identify and characterize the subject examinations are statistically reliable. What this means is that
matter important at a specific designation or certification’s if you retake the examination without sufficiently remedying
level. The results from these studies are summarized in the your weaker knowledge areas, you will likely receive a similar
examinations’ blueprints. The blueprints contain the subject score. The solution to this is directed study in the areas in
matter found on the examinations as well as the portion of which you are weakest.
the examinations covered by each subject.
The domains represent major safety functions at the level for
which you tested. Within the body of the official score report
Examination’s Minimum Passing Score
is a diagnostic account describing how you scored within
An examination has a single minimum passing score each of the domains. The first column shows the number of
against which all candidates are measured. The minimum questions in a particular domain or task/topic. The second
passing score is based on the total score on the column shows the percentage of questions your scored
examination; therefore, candidates are not required to correctly.
earn a minimum score in each subject area, or domain, of
practice. How to Use Your Score Report for Retesting
As part of BCSP’s item quality processes, BCSP placed It is not recommended to merely retake the examination
a number of items on the examination for without remedying your weaker areas. Doing this likely will
developmental purposes. These items were not scored not yield a passing score. However, your score report is one
and did not count toward your total score, but BCSP of several essential tools you can use to develop a successful
obtains item performance information from these retake strategy.
developmental items for use on future versions of the
examination. Your examination score was based on how Evaluate your examination performance from the information
many of the scored items you answered correctly. All presented on your score report. Identify the domains where
scored items had the same weighting, and there was no your performance was below that required to pass the overall
penalty for selecting an incorrect answer. exam.

Using the examination blueprint, stimulate your recollection

How BCSP Sets the Minimum Passing Score of concepts and theories from the examination with which
For nationally accredited certifications all candidates must you failed. Though it is impossible to memorize precisely
have an equal opportunity to pass the credentialing everything you experienced on the examination, it is likely that
examinations regardless of the population of candidates there are some concepts and practices with which you were
attempting the examinations. This minimum standard is unfamiliar. The examination blueprint can help you remember
represented by the minimum passing score on the these.
examinations.
The final step is to use the study tools you have at your
BCSP uses the modified Angoff technique for setting disposal to help remedy your weaknesses based on your
passing scores for certification examinations. This criterion- customized study guide. Your study tools likely will include
referenced method is the most common approach for BCSP-published documents, books related to practice, third-
establishing examination standards. The technique party examination preparation materials, and online searches
requires convening one or more diverse panels of to assist you with understanding some of the concepts and
experts to individually rate each item on the examination theories with which you know you are weak.
against the criterion of the minimally-competent, or
minimally-qualified candidate. Once these ratings are To access the most recent list of examination references, visit
obtained, further analysis of the items is performed to the BCSP website for the certification you are testing for.
verify that the ratings derived by the panels of experts are
consistent.
Version: 12/14
The modified Angoff technique results in a minimum