Policy Behind Full Computerization
- Aimed to enhance confidentiality, integrity, credibility, and quality of the licensure examinations.
- Ensures immediate release of exam results allowing successful examinees prompt entry to professional practice.
- Frees the Board to focus more on supervision, regulation, and control of the profession.
Regulatory Mandate on Computerization
- Commission’s Resolution No. 265, Series of 1983, mandated full computerization of licensure exams starting 1993 for professions with 1,000 or more examinees.
- Computerization involves automated correction, rating, random question extraction, and arrangement from a test bank.
Implementation Guidelines and Procedures
Test Bank Development
- Initial input of at least 500 questions per subject by Board Members.
- Additional minimum of 300 questions per exam to reach at least 3,000 questions over time.
- Questions are withdrawable and replaceable to keep up with latest professional trends.
Origin of Questions
- Formulated or personally prescribed by Board Members.
- Can be adopted from academic institutions.
Quality Control of Questions
- Questions undergo appraisal for objectivity, validity, materiality, reliability, and efficacy.
- Expert consultation in test construction is advised to ensure clarity and uniqueness of correct answers (no "best" answers allowed).
Classification of Questions
- By comprehensibility: easy, average/moderate, difficult.
- By knowledge level: sound, adequate, fair.
- By proficiency level: competent, adequate, fair.
- By nature: easy, problem-solving, objective (multiple choice).
Examination Format and Weighting
- 55% of questions must be objective-type, selected and corrected by computer.
- 45% must be problem-solving, essay-type, manually selected and corrected.
Security Measures
- Protective protocols ensure tamper-free computer programs and files.
- Multiple passwords and three designated key officials to control access.
Examination Question Randomization
- Questions extracted and randomized to produce at least two different sets (e.g., "A" and "B") with the same question count but different arrangements.
- Prevents cheating by examinees copying answers.
Computerized Correction and Result Processing
- Entire correction, rating, and release process computerized for efficiency and accuracy.
Effectivity and Dissemination
- Resolution takes effect 15 days after publication in Official Gazette or newspapers of general circulation.
- Circularized to schools and master electricians for guidance and information.
Quasi-legislative Authority
- Board exercises quasi-legislative power vested by Section 3, Article 1 of R.A. No. 184 in adopting this resolution.
Signatories
- Resolution adopted by the Board Chairman, Board Members, Commissioner, and Associate Commissioners on September 7, 1993.