Exam Scoring Overview
The ACM certification exams are all pass/fail exams developed to measure minimum competence in case management practice. Pass/fail status is determined by the raw score. Pass rates are reviewed at each NBCM meeting to look for abnormalities or trends.
ACM Examination Structure
The certification is earned by passing both a Core (multiple choice) exam and a Specialty Simulation exam.
Score Reports
A score report is issued for each portion of the exam indicating pass or fail. Additional detail is provided in the form of raw scores by major content category on the Core score report, and a raw score for Information Gathering (IG) and Decision Making (DM) on the Specialty Simulation score report.
Pass/Fail Determination for the Core Exam
The minimum passing score is determined using a modified Angoff Method, which is applied during the performance of a Passing Point Study by a panel of experts in the field. Passing scores may vary slightly for each version of the examination. To ensure fairness to all candidates, a process of statistical equating is used.
Pass/Fail Determination for the Specialty Simulation Exam
The passing point for the Specialty Simulation portion was set by an examination committee using a similar criterion-referenced method. The exact passing point may vary from one form of the examination to another, depending on the scored problems included on the examination form attempted. Each Specialty Simulation will have separate scores and minimum pass levels for both the DM and IG questions. Passing only one of the two sections will not result in an overall passing score. Candidates must achieve passing scores in both IG and DM on the entire exam.
Retest Policy
Scores for test candidates who did not successfully pass both the Core and Specialty Simulation exams, but did pass one of them, are kept on file for six months from date of issue. If retesting does not occur within six months, or if both portions of the exam are not successfully passed within six months, the original passing score cannot be applied toward certification and the candidate will be required to sit for the entire examination. Candidates can re-apply to take only the portion of the examination they did not pass, if the retest occurs within the six (6) month period. The number of times a candidate can test on either exam part will be limited to three (3) in a calendar year (January 1-December 31).
Additional Exam Scoring Considerations:
Delay/Cancelation of Test Scores: Test results are normally immediately available at the conclusion of an individual’s testing session. Under some circumstances, scores may be delayed.
Pretest-Test Items: All ACM exams include unscored pre-test items, and examinees have no way of distinguishing these items from the scored items. To ensure the best possible testing result, candidates should treat each question as if it is being used in the final exam computation.
Multiple Test Forms: The ACM certification exam uses multiple forms containing different items to minimize item exposure and ensure the continued relevance of test items.
For more information about these topics, please visit the ACM Candidate Handbook