Making Validity more Holistic: Connecting Validity with Inclusivity and Test Security

I.C.E. Exchange Program Description: Which is more important, security or inclusivity? Failures in test security negatively impact validity, with the risk that test-takers pass the test when they shouldn’t. However, some well-intentioned test security measures can negatively impact segments of the test taker population (e.g., those with accessibility challenges, those who do not speak the language in which the test is published, etc.). An inclusivity failure in testing also negatively impacts validity, with the risk that test takers fail the test when they shouldn’t for reasons not related to the construct being assessed.

Security and inclusivity are both critical for the validity of the credentialing program, and we need to humanize the exam experience and take account of different needs of the test taker population, covering:
1. What is inclusivity in testing and why it matters.
2. Why both a test security failure and an inclusivity failure negatively impact validity.
3. Real-world examples where security measures reduce inclusivity, biometrics including too strict remote proctoring, and many more.
4. How to balance security and inclusivity to increase validity.
5. An illustration from a leading IT company on how they have made significant changes to their certification program to balance security and inclusivity and make a more humanized exam experience.

Thank you PSI for Sponsoring our Credentialing Innovations Track.

When we focus on finding the right balance between security and inclusivity, we create more opportunities for everyone to earn our credentials.