The ICCP has established that direct measures of skills may be obtained using highly constructed Scenario-Based questions that are well written as judged by experts. The CCER has adopted this philosophy in developing its exams. Experts must agree that the question actually measures the objectives, and that the measurement is accurate and reasonable. Psychometrically, questions should be neither too easy, nor too hard to answer. The questions must be fair yet discriminating. Faculty who have taken the ISA exam describe it as very difficult and totally comprehensive of the Information Systems discipline. Faculty have used these scores to isolate areas of weakness, and have shown significant improvement in multi-year serial scores.
ISA Examination and Certification - presentation on the new standards and usage of reports.
The ISA exam consists of consists of 258 questions in two parts: Part A-129 questions and Part B-129 questions. It may be given in a single 3 hour 40 minute block with a ten minute break in between Parts A and B, or it may be given on different days, allowing 1 hour and 45 minutes per exam. The exam timer automatically times out and scores the exam for each student.
At the time of the exam, the college must provide a proctor. Students fill in their registration information at the start of the examination for Part A of the exam. The exam is given at regular computer work-stations. At the conclusion of the exam, the exam is automatically graded, and students will find out how well they have done. An unofficial performance report may be printed to a local/network printer if the college is setup for such resources.
If the student achieves a score of 50% or more, they have passed the exam, and are immediately qualified to apply for the ISA Practitioner certification to the ICCP. A few students qualify with scores equal to or greater than 70% for the Mastery level of this certificate and can receive a mastery level certificate. Students must pay the ICCP a fee, agree to abide by the ICCP Code of Ethics, join the recertification program and during their first probationary year agree to report proof of their computing degree within that year to the ICCP office.
The cost to the college is $50/student up to a limit of $2,500 per college/campus.
Becoming Involved with the CCER
It is very easy to join the CCER. Fill in the Test Center and Proctor application form and attach to an email to office2@iccp.org requesting to be involved. Most Deans immediately recognize the value of the CCER service, and are willing to pay a nominal annual fee to have access to this service.
Become a member / Director of the CCER
The CCER Board of Directors shall consist of research level faculty members whose colleges are directly involved with institutional, program and student assessments and are accredited by AACSB, ABET, ACBSP or similar level accreditation body.
If you are interested in joining the Board or taking on the position of Research Director of the CCER please send an email to the President, ICCP Education Foundation through the office2@iccp.org
Any Board member or Research Director of the CCER must have/or
a. a PhD or equivalent preparation, and a strong history of research and publications.
b. be in a leadership role supportive of institutional assessment at their college/university
c. be willing to work on reviewing research papers for publication on the CCER website
d. be a supporter of professional credentialing for professionals involved in the IS/IT/CS industry
e. receive institutional support for their involvement as Director of the CCER and be prepared to attend conferences to present annual reports on progress of the CCER and its uses at colleges/universities.
f. reports to the ICCP Education Foundation through their monthly on-line webinar meetings
g. works closely with the ICCP Education Office and Executive Director to execute or resolve on a monthly basis any data and reporting and research issues.
h. be able to and willing to join the ICCP Examination Standards Council to review test items' performance and/or develop new examinations or specialties for use by colleges with program specializations.
i. be willing to create an annual budget for CCER activities with the Executive Director of the ICCP Education Foundation.
