Beta Period Testing
The best practice in the credentialing industry is for exam forms to be reviewed and updated periodically. ACMA follows this practice and will be launching new exam forms for the ACM-SW and ACM-RN on January 1, 2024. Exams taken up through and on December 31, 2023, will use the current content outline. Exams taken January 1, 2024, and after will use a new content outline, compiled through an exhaustive and inclusive process of job task analysis, new question writing and review, form review, and scoring. Many subject matter experts holding a current ACM-RN or ACM-SW took part in question and form writing, review, and scoring, as did hundreds of you during the job task analysis part of the process.
The last step of this “rewrite” process is to evaluate newly administered questions after a statistically significant number of tests have been taken. This requires a few out-of-the-ordinary tasks:
- For exams taken from January 1 to approximately February 15, 2024, ACM-RN and ACM-SW test-takers will not receive immediate results and will be part of our “beta period.” Results will be available after the blackout period has occurred.
- From February 16th to approximately March 31, 2024, no ACM-SW or ACM-RN exams will be able to be scheduled (a “blackout” period). During this time period, a group of subject matter experts, along with an expert psychometrician, will review the performance of exam questions and make decisions about the scoring of each question (known as “standard setting”). This scoring will then be compiled to create the passing score for each form of each exam.
- Approximately April 1, 2024, scores for ACM-RN and ACM-SW exams taken during January will be released to test-takers from January. Effective approximately April 1st, test-takers will thereafter receive immediate pass/fail results, as you’ve been accustomed to.
This is a critical step to maintaining the integrity and validity of the ACM-SW and ACM-RN certifications. While ACMA isn’t happy with the idea of keeping you from receiving your results immediately, to skip this step in the rewrite process would jeopardize accreditation efforts and cause a lack of confidence in our exams.
As part of the discount guidelines, the exam must be taken anytime starting January 1st – February 15, 2024. We will not be able to grant any extensions beyond February 15, 2024. Additionally, refund requests for 50% discounted exams taken during the beta period will not be granted after February 15, 2024.
If I test January 15, will I receive my pass/fail result immediately?
What if I’m already scheduled to test in January (or February), but I need my score sooner than March 15?
Does the blackout period and delay of scores affect both test site and remote proctoring exams for the ACM?
If I’m scheduled to test for the ACM in January but am OK with testing after that, can I reschedule my exam for after April 1?
Do I pay full price for an exam if I purchase an exam after January 1?
If I buy an exam at the discounted price in January, when can I test?
Do I have to purchase the exam at the discounted price?
Why are the dates around the standard setting steps listed as “approximately”?
Are the CMAC and CMPC affected by the blackout period in February?
Will the discount apply if I want to take the test in March?
If I test January 15, will I receive my pass/fail result immediately?
No; any tests taken from January 1 – February 15, 2024, will be taken as normal, but you will not receive scores until after the standard setting process is complete, anticipated for April 1, 2024.
What if I’m already scheduled to test in January (or February), but I need my score sooner than March 15?
You may reschedule your exam sooner than January 1; our remote proctoring option is a great way to test more quickly than you perhaps could in a physical test site.
Does the blackout period and delay of scores affect both test site and remote proctoring exams for the ACM?
Yes, since the exams use the same questions regardless of testing method.
If I’m scheduled to test for the ACM in January but am OK with testing after that, can I reschedule my exam for after April 1?
Absolutely! ACMA will be happy to extend your testing eligibility with PSI in this case.
Do I pay full price for an exam if I purchase an exam after January 1?
ACMA is pleased to offer a 50% discount off ACM exams purchased from January 1- January 31, 2024, as we recognize not being able to have an immediate result is an inconvenience to you. This discount applies to both ACM exams.
If I buy an exam at the discounted price in January, when can I test?
Your exam must be taken anytime by February 15, 2024.
Do I have to purchase the exam at the discounted price?
The exam can be purchased at regular price if you do no wish to take the exam in January or February.
Why are the dates around the standard setting steps listed as “approximately”?
To ensure we have a sufficient number of exams taken so that we can draw statistically significant inferences from the data, we have to have a minimum number of exams taken. The “approximate” dates may slide by a week or two in either direction, depending on how many individuals test during that month. We will attempt to complete the standard setting and release of scores as quickly as possible to reduce your wait time.
Are the CMAC and CMPC affected by the blackout period in February?
No; since neither of these credentials is currently going through a rewrite, neither are impacted by the blackout, so that you can test and receive immediate results as usual.
Will the discount apply if I want to take the test in March?
The discount is only good for candidates who are seeking to take their exam in January 1 – February 15, 2024.