Certification
Peer-reviewed Criterion Passing Standard
The Angoff Modified Technique is the method ACLAM is using to determine the passing standard. This procedure is the most widely employed and one of the most thoroughly researched in the field of licensure and certification testing. In the Angoff Modified Technique, a group of ACLAM Diplomates chosen to represent the spectrum of activities in our specialty serve as subject matter experts in a peer review session to evaluate the exam. The panel evaluates each item on the exam by estimating the percentage of the minimally acceptable candidate group that will answer the question correctly. These estimates, which the panelists make independently, are then combined across all panelists and questions, the result of which represents the minimally acceptable score. The peer review session will occur with the assistance and guidance of CASTLE Worldwide, which has conducted many of these studies for specialty certification organizations since 1987. CASTLE will tabulate and analyze the findings, and present the results to the Board for action. Once ACLAM establishes the passing standard for the 2006 examination, it will equate new versions of the test to that standard for the foreseeable future.
The purpose of the ACLAM examination is to determine qualification in laboratory animal medicine. Consistent with this purpose, the passing standard for the test must separate individuals who possess knowledge at the level commensurate with Diplomate status from those whose knowledge is below that level. Essentially, the examination is used only to make pass/fail decisions. ACLAM’s position is that all who pass are equally qualified, and so no numeric scores will be released.
[to top]