College Board CLEP email to me

[cookderosa]

Sorry, this is a reply but I can't find the thread!! (if someone remembers just tell me and I'll move it).

There was a discussion about pass rates, and someone mentioned that their proctor commented on the test center's 80% pass rate. I found that odd because the proctor really wouldn't know the test rate...so I thought? So, I sent an email to College Board asking for clarity and here was my reply today! Bold and italics are mine.



Dear Ms. DeRosa:

This communication is in response to your recent email inquiry regarding College
Level Examination Program (CLEP) testing. Please be advised that if you do not
select an institution to receive your transcript, your records are kept on file
for 20 years by CLEP. Results are not retained by test centers. Information
regarding passing and failing exam rates is not provided to test centers.
It is possible that an exam proctor may view a score when printing the test
taker's score report upon the completion of an exam. During exam registration,
test takers click their approval of confidentiality agreements between
themselves and both the College Board and Educational Testing Service.

If you have any further questions, please respond to this e-mail at
clep@info.collegeboard.org. Alternatively, our toll free number is 800.257.9558.
Agents are available from 8 AM to 6 PM eastern time, Monday through Friday.

We appreciate your business, and wish you the best of luck in your academic
endeavors.

Sincerely,

CLEP Services

JS 10107740

TRACKING NUMBER: A00010817869-00039056727

[Merlin]

I know that at the test center I was going to previously, the proctor does make note of the results of tests taken there. They can usually tell you the average pass rate of a test, though they don't retain information on specific students results. So it doesn't seem to be that unusual of an occurrence.

I imagine that information would be useful for tracking number of tests taken and for the success rate overall of students using their facility for testing. It may also be used by some schools to determine what minimum score is required for credit or grades.

[cookderosa]

I know that at the test center I was going to previously, the proctor does make note of the results of tests taken there. A violation of privacy btw, I'd say so just on principle.

They can usually tell you the average pass rate of a test. I don't see how. A random bunch of proctors, hourly workers, keep track of this collectively? Where? How? When, on break? That strikes me as sooooo uncharacteristic of human behavior that I just can't believe it's true. And if for one, never for the whole staff. Really, a bunch of proctors are so altruistic as to track statistics just for fun?

though they don't retain information on specific students results. So it doesn't seem to be that unusual of an occurrence. I disagree, I would find this highly unusual.

I imagine that information would be useful for tracking number of tests taken yes, a count for bookkeeping- not a score

and for the success rate overall of students using their facility for testing. They have no influence over success rates, it's not like a SAT. They do track results of students who SEND score reports to them. The students who are simply using the facilities scores shouldn't be counted in that group. Let's say for the sake of argument that I was a student at ABC college- and I'm an idiot, a failing idiot. My college doesn't have a testing center, so I drive over to XYZ college and take them there. I've taken a CLEP exam every month for the past 5 years and failed them all. Would my "stats" be included in XYZ's stats or ABC's stats? Of course ABC's stats. If XYZ is adding me in, they are double counting my scores because ABC "does" track me- officially.

It may also be used by some schools to determine what minimum score is required for credit or grades. Again, that data would come from their own college with their own application process. A highly selective college might require a higher score for credit in order to match the "C" grade of THEIR students, not random students off the street.

My guess, which is all it is, is that some proctor observed that on his shifts, he looks at scores and notices that about 80% of the ones he sees are passing. While this is interesting, it's not to say that a school has a stat on CLEP scores. There could be an exception, and I have it here in my home town at St. Ambrose University. They only allow their own students to take CLEP exams, no outside students. In that case, you could draw inferences between the students taking the exams (as recorded simply by bookkeeping) against the students who submit passing scores for credit. You might be able to draw some general conclusions about pass rates in that case. The students, however, hold the option of submitting a score - or not.

[burbuja0512]

Even if a test center knew what their pass rate was for CLEP or DSST, I'm not sure how they would possibly get enough test-takers on any given exam to be able to provide results of any statistical significance.

Maybe it's just the testing centers I've been to, but it doesn't seem like people are exactly lining up to take CLEP tests. One testing center that I used has a sign-in sheet just for CLEP and Dantes and you list your name and the name of the test that you are there to take. When I was testing, I would sign in and I would usually be signing in right below my own signature from the previous week. Every once in a while I would see a Spanish CLEP or an A&I lit test-taker, but that was about it.

[bkahuna]

My testing center was like the same experience as buburja.

I was the only person taking the tests with the exception of one person who took a DSST.

If that person failed, the test center would still have a high high rate of pass because I took all of my CLEP/DSST there and I didnt fail one.

Even if they have the statistics of pass/fail it really is irrelevant for a particular testing center. The poll that cookderosa started is relevant as it shows the success of IC and the forums!

[Lyanne]

Maybe it's just the testing centers I've been to, but it doesn't seem like people are exactly lining up to take CLEP tests. One testing center that I used has a sign-in sheet just for CLEP and Dantes and you list your name and the name of the test that you are there to take. When I was testing, I would sign in and I would usually be signing in right below my own signature from the previous week. Every once in a while I would see a Spanish CLEP or an A&I lit test-taker, but that was about it.

My testing center is very crowded. Usually all 6 computers are taken. Last time someone showed up at the wrong time and was accidentally allowed to test. It messed things up and they had to ask the person who was really scheduled for the morning test to come back in the afternoon.
But, my testing center is in southern California and serves a large area.

[irnbru]

Could they (the original poster) have been referring to the military pass rates which have been published and crop up on here fairly often?

[cookderosa]

Could they (the original poster) have been referring to the military pass rates which have been published and crop up on here fairly often?

No for sure this is not the case. I need to find the thread....

[HorseManiac]

Hi Cook...I think this is the thread you are looking for!

http://www.degreeforum.net/general-educa...post112504

[dcan]

What possible reason would a testing center have for tracking and advertising its "pass rate"? It's a TESTING center, NOT a teaching center!

Have you done all the studying and grunt work on your own, with no help from any teachers? Are you ready to take a test and need (1) four walls and (2) a bored but air-breathing human to read a novel while you take your test? Then come to Bob Loblaw's Testing Center, where our pass rate is so high it'll rub off on you magically when you walk in the door! Because that's the only way our 'pass rate' would have any effect whatsoever!

I mean, really.