Attention!!! API Announces Changes in Exam Administration

ATTENTION

 Announcing some changes to API 510, 570 and 653 examination administrations

Beginning with the December 5, 2012 exam administration API will make two minor changes to the API 510, 570 and 653 examination processes. API believes that these changes will help to maintain the value of our credentials by improving the exam experience for all candidates and keeping exam content current, relevant and free of errors. 

1. The number of questions by which test takers will be graded or scored.

The API 510, 570 and 653 tests in the past have always contained 150 questions on which candidates were scored.  These exams will now contain 125 scored questions, plus 25 questions that will not be scored (otherwise known as "pre-test" items). 

All exam grading will still be based on the number of correct responses.  The minimum number of correct responses required to achieve a passing score will be established based on the 125 scored items only.  API will continue to utilize the statistical method of equating in order to maintain the same level of difficulty of the exams. The equating process will take into account that 25 of the test questions are now “pre-test” questions and establish an accordingly reduced passing grade for all exams.

The pre-test questions will appear on all tests for all candidates; so each test taker receives the same, fair experience. Test takers will not know which test questions are scored and which are not.

2. Exam day will be shortened.

The total time allotted to candidates to complete an examination will be reduced from 8 hours to 7 hours. In analyzing the details of tests taken previously, it has become clear that the overwhelming majority of test takers complete their examinations in 6-7 hours. API has therefore decided to officially shorten the length of the exams and is completely confident that candidate performance will not be hindered in any way. The open book section of the exam will remain 4 hours long. The closed book part will now be only 3 hours. This change will also allow candidates and proctors to have a slightly longer lunch break.

Posted in: API 510,API 570,API 653,Exam Tips,Examination Scheme,New Changes in API Exams,New Exam Pattern