Exam Scoring - FAQ Answered

(ISC)² Examination Scoring
FAQs
Q:
What is Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT)?
A:
CAT is the computerized delivery of exam items uniquely tailored to the ability of an
individual candidate. Unlike fixed-form, linear exams, adaptive testing delivers items
based on the demonstrated ability of a candidate during the exam. With CAT, the
difficulty of each item a candidate receives is optimized to measure their ability with
the greatest degree of efficiency possible. All English exams for CISSP are
administered as a CAT exam. Based on the same exam content outline as the linear,
fixed-form exam, CISSP CAT is a more precise and efficient evaluation of
candidates’ competency. Learn more about CISSP CAT.
Q:
Does everyone take the same test?
A:
No. (ISC)² maintains a large pool of questions which can be used to generate many
different forms of the examinations. To ensure the integrity and security of the
examination, the examination forms are updated on a regular basis. Furthermore,
multiple forms of the examination are in use at any given time, and candidates are
randomly assigned these forms.
Q:
Is one test form easier than another?
A:
No. (ISC)² uses statistical data on how each test question performs to evaluate the
difficulty of each examination form. The examinations are carefully constructed in
order to minimize variations in difficulty levels from one test form to another. It is
possible, however, to have slight variations in difficulty based on the particular
combination of test questions that are selected for each examination form. This is
taken into account when the passing scores are set or when test forms are equated,
so it does not matter which exam form each candidate takes. Equating is a statistical
method which allows psychometricians to create different examination forms of equal
difficulty.
Q:
How is the passing score determined for linear examinations?
A:
The passing score (also called a “cut score”) is established by a panel of subject
matter experts (SMEs). To have a diverse group of SMEs on the panel representing
various geographic regions, ethnicity, practice settings and years of experience is
important to ensure that the panel of experts adequately represents the field. The
members on the panel are selected from a list of SME volunteers that (ISC)2
maintains. The list is updated yearly. Based on panel’s recommended passing score,
the (ISC)² Examination Committee, also called the Scheme Committee, which is
made up of members of the (ISC)² Board of Directors, finalize the passing score.
During this process, the panel, working under the guidance of a psychometrician,
discusses the minimum level of competence that is required for passing the
examination and obtaining the credential. This discussion focuses on the specific
knowledge, skills and abilities that qualified practitioners possess. The panel then
systematically evaluates each question on the examination and rates their difficulty
levels. The ratings are combined to arrive at the recommend passing score for that
specific examination. (ISC)2 always uses psychometrically accepted standard setting
methods to determine passing scores for all of its credentials.
Q:
Why is the scale 0 - 1000 when I didn't see 1000 questions for linear
examinations?
A:
The scale used by (ISC)² is similar to scales used by other large testing programs,
such as the SAT, ACT, or GRE. The scale has more points on it than there are
number of questions on the examination.
Q:
What is a scaled score for linear examinations?
A:
A scaled score is a different way of expressing a candidate’s achieved score in the
examination without distorting the meaning of scores. In scaled score reporting, a
candidate’s raw score (number of items answered correctly) is converted to a
number within a predefined score range. In the case of (ISC)², all raw scores are
converted to scaled scores of 0-1000, with the passing scaled score of 700. It is
similar to the conversion of temperature from Fahrenheit to Celsius or vice versa. For
example, 85 degrees Fahrenheit is equivalent to 29.44 degrees Celsius. In this
conversion, the temperature remains the same, but, depending on the scale used,
the number is different (85° Fahrenheit versus 29.44° Celsius).
Q:
Does scaling the scores affect who passes or fails the exam?
A:
The use of scaled scores does not affect whether or not an individual candidate
passes or fails the examination. The pass/fail decision is always made by comparing
the number of questions answered correctly to the passing score that was
established using the psychometrically accepted standard setting methods described
above. All candidates who correctly answer more items than the number of items
required for passing the examination will obtain scaled scores between 700 and
1000. Candidates who do not answer enough items to pass the test obtain scaled
scores between 0 and 699. Scaling also does not affect the rank ordering of
candidates. A candidate who answers more items correctly than another candidate
taking the same examination form will obtain a higher scaled score; however; in the
certification examination, candidates are not ranked in order; they are only informed
whether they passed or failed the test.
Q:
Why scale the scores?
A:
The use of scaled scores allows us to directly compare scores from one examination
form to another because the passing standard will always be the same - a scaled
score of 700. In the long run, this process makes the scoring of (ISC)² examinations
easier to understand for all concerned. No matter which (ISC)² credential
examination form a candidate takes, the passing score will always remain constant
of 700. This also provides stability in score reporting, all of which are critical to
maintaining equality for all candidates, which provides the foundation for the
ANSI/ISO/IEC accreditation of our credentials.
Q:
What is the passing proficiency level for adaptive testing?
A:
The proficiency is defined here as “passing standard.” Candidates must score above
the proficiency level in all Domains in order to pass the exam.
• Below proficiency – below the passing standard

• Near proficiency – close to the passing standard
• Above proficiency – above the passing standard
Q:
Can I find out how many questions I answered correctly?
A:
(ISC)² does not report to candidates the number of questions they answered
correctly or the overall percentage of questions they answered correctly; however;
failing candidates are provided with the rank ordering of domains based on their
percentage of questions answered correctly in each domain of the examination. This
information is provided to assist failing candidates who would know the domains that
they need to focus in their further study

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(ISC)² Examination Scoring

• Below proficiency – below the passing standard

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