Qualifications and fees

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Qualifications and fees

Introduction

Qualifications are available for professionals working in the educational, forensic and occupational contexts.

Qualifications are available at three levels: Assistant Test User, Test User and Specialist in Test Use. Assistant Test User and Test User qualifications are available in the educational, forensic and occupational domains. The Specialist in Test Use qualification is currently only available in the area of occupational testing.

All training and assessment for the BPS qualifications in test use are conducted by independent organisations or individuals. In order to ensure consistency of standards across training providers, the BPS has defined the competencies that test users should demonstrate.

The Test Users Handbook (below) provides a detailed breakdown of the specific modules for each qualification and the competencies that should be demonstrated.

Qualification levels

Assistant Test User

Holders of the Assistant Test User qualification should be:

Able to administer and score specific tests under the supervision of a person qualified at Test User level or above.
Have awareness of broader issues related to testing and test use, of limitations and value of using tests, and know when to seek more expert help.
Are not able to make choices about which tests should be used or provide interpretations of test scores beyond those provided in standard reports.

An Assistant Test User will be an individual who uses specific tests in well-defined and constrained contexts and operates within organisational policies and directives on testing and test use. This may include routine recruitment and selection procedures, pre and post-programme assessment or standardised assessment for staff development programmes.

Test User

Holders of the Test User qualification should be:

Able to make choices between tests and to determine when to use or not use them.
Have an understanding of the technical qualities required of tests sufficient for understanding, but not for test construction.
Can work independently as a test user.
Have the necessary knowledge and skills to interpret specific tests.

They may be working in occupational contexts within an HR department, employment agencies or consultancies offering testing services. This may involve testing for personnel selection, development or career guidance and advice.

In educational contexts may be working in a school and involved in testing groups of children and/or individuals to understand their strengths and specific learning needs.

In forensic contexts may be working in prisons, secure hospitals, courts or probation services or elsewhere in a justice context and may be assessing offenders’ risk of reoffending.

Specialist in Test Use (Occupational only)

This is currently available only for testers working in the occupational context. Typically this person will be an experienced psychologist who has specialised in test use and will have completed a number of qualifications relating to a variety of different tests and types of tests. Some users in this category may come from related professions (e.g. from HR in the case of occupational testing), having acquired the necessary additional knowledge and skills through other training and professional practice.

Depending upon their particular profile of competence and skills, holders of the Specialist in Test Use qualification may be:

Able to provide advice and consultancy on testing
Able to train others in test use
Able to construct tests for use in occupational settings
Able to provide expert evidence in court cases

Qualification modules and fees

The fees listed below are to receive a BPS qualification, once training has been undertaken. Training course providers will charge a separate fee for the provision of training.

To be eligible for a student rate of membership, you must be a student undertaking a full or part-time undergraduate or postgraduate programme of study, and not in receipt of a taxable income.

All qualification holders are required to renew their entry on the Register of Qualifications in Test Use (RQTU) annually. Annual administration fee: £40.00 (student fee £40.00)