The SMRP Certifying Organization (SMRPCO) is seeking qualified individuals to participate in a two-day virtual standard setting workshop for the Certified Maintenance & Reliability Technician (CMRT) Exam.
SMRPCO is specifically seeking a mix of certificants who just became certified and those who have been certified longer. If you are newly certified, please do not hesitate to apply.
Background
SMRPCO is in the process of developing new forms, or exams, to publish later this year. To ensure the CMRT exam continues to be a rigorous, experience-based exam, SMRPCO enlists the help of qualified volunteers to participate in standard setting workshop with our testing partner, Pearson VUE.
What is standard setting?
In psychometrics, standard setting is a systematic, documented process for associating score ranges on an exam with criteria-based performance categories. The principle goal of standard setting is to determine one or more cut scores. Most credentialing exams classify candidates into just two overall performance categories, passing and failing, and thus have a single cut score.
Credentialing examinations are used to assure the public (and often potential employers) that successful candidates have demonstrated the minimum level of knowledge, skill, ability needed to hold a particular professional qualification without endangering public safety. A standard setting is an attempt to link test scores to criteria-based performance levels in a documented and defensible manner with qualified experts in the appropriate field.
Standard Setting Workshop
Pearson VUE’s psychometric team will facilitate a virtual standard setting workshop for up to eight subject matter experts (SMEs) on May 5-6, 2021, from 9:00 AM ET to 5:00 PM ET.
The standard setting process is cognitively involved. SMEs will have to discuss the concept of minimal competence and how minimal competence relates to the credential. They will then answer questions on the exam while judging the difficulty of those questions for minimally competent candidates. Finally, they will discuss/defend their decision with the other SMEs by reflecting on the content outline, the discussion of minimal competence, and personal experience.
Considerations for participation
- Must hold an active CMRT credential
- Must be able to join a virtual meeting on May 5-6, 2021, from 9:00 AM Eastern to 5:00 PM Eastern.
- Cannot be on the SMRP Board of Directors or SMRP Certifying Organization Commission
- Practitioners are strongly desired
- Must sign a nondisclosure and confidentiality agreement
Benefits of Participating
- Share your knowledge and expertise with peers
- Earn up to 16 recertification hours (actual amount of time spent in workshop)
- Learn about the exam development process from Pearson VUE – the global leader in computer-based testing
Diversity & Application Selection
Having diverse participation at the item writing workshop is key. Applications will be reviewed by the SMRPCO Executive Director to ensure variety in experience, industry, role, etc. Applicants who are chosen to participate will be contacted by SMRPCO staff. Though SMRPCO encourages international certificants to participate, please be aware that you must be available during the times indicated above. Please note, submitting an application does not guarantee participation.