1.
What
are the credentials of the individuals who wrote the questions on the exam?
The individuals who helped create the new test questions were RNs, LPNs
and CNAs from
2.
When
the new exam was created, was the reading grade level changed?
No, the reading level did not change. It remains at a 4th to
6th grade level
3.
Did
the content of the test change when the new exam was created?
The content did not change significantly. Since the content of the exam
is derived from the
4.
What
relevance do the strong/weak categories have on a candidate and do they
determine whether or not a candidate passes or fails?
Weak/Good/Strong categories are for diagnostic purposes only; the
information is intended to be used to help a candidate who intends to retake
the examination focus their studies in order to be better prepared. The
categories are not used to determine whether or not a candidate passes or fails
the exam. The pass/fail determination is based on the candidates overall score.
5.
How
can we prevent the untimely and incorrect posting of candidates test scores?
The majority of candidate test scores are posted quickly and accurately,
but errors can and do occur when the required forms are submitted incomplete or
are difficult to read. It is very important for candidates to clearly, legibly
and accurately complete all required applications and form. If the forms are
not complete or they are illegible there could be a delay in the correct and
timely posting of the candidates score.
NOTE: Prometric hopes to modify our processes in the next several months to
utilize a scan-able “bubble sheet” application in order to further reduce the
number or processing errors.
6.
Because
Prometric was sold to another company, will there be any major internal changes
or modifications to the program?
No, Prometric Inc. is a wholly owned for profit subsidiary of
Educational Testing Service (ETS) and it will continue to operate independently
going forward. There is no need to modify any of the current program
operational structure and the experienced New York Nurse Aide team at Prometric
will continue to work with all the BOCES programs to test your candidates.
7.
Was
there a new practice exam created when the new exam was created?
No. There is no need for a new practice exam. The purpose of the
practice exam is to familiarize the candidate with the form and style of the
questions that will be on the test. The practice exam should not be used to
gauge a candidate’s ability to pass the competency exam.
8.
Do
candidates or facilities have a choice in the order the CNA Exam is
administered?
No, the current format allows for a better flow of the exam from start
to finish, it assures that all candidates will be tested on both parts of the
exams in one day and it lets the candidates leave the test site once they are
done with the clinical part.
9.
What
is Prometric’s accountability to volunteers (who have taken off of work for
candidates) when a proctor does not show for an exam?
Unfortunately, sometimes there are rare unforeseen or uncontrollable
circumstances that arise resulting in a late cancellation of a test date. We
recognize that this is inconvenient for the training programs, the candidates
and their volunteers; however Prometric does not have any special
accountability to volunteers who have taken the day off to help a candidate. We
do try and work with each test site to reschedule the exam as quickly and as
soon as possible.
10. What is the best way to contact
Prometric? How can I verify if a fax was received?
The best way to contact Prometric is to call our customer service
line(s) 1-800-805-9128 or 1-800-321-6443. You will never be sent to a voice
mail box during normal business hours; a live person will always answer the
phone. You may experience a longer wait time during peak season but normal wait
time is around 2 minutes. The call
center cannot and will not confirm fax receipts, although they can pass along
to the intended recipient in our scheduling department that a fax has or is
coming through.
11. Are there CNA Instructor seminars to
assure conformity of skills?
Prometric does not hold seminars for CNA instructors. CNA instructors
are required to utilize the state approved curriculum to teach their students
and there are often several acceptable variations in the performance of the
clinical skills. The skills checkpoints utilized by Prometric’s NAEs are not
specific procedures; they are objective observation points that allow the NAEs
to confirm that a candidate competently performed the skill without specifying
exactly the steps to be taken. We do, however, hold annual training workshops
for our NAEs to ensure conformity in the evaluation process.
12. Who should be contacted when a
candidate receives a score report that is contradictory to the preliminary
score report they received by the NAE on the exam date? Why does this happen?
What steps have to be followed for resolution?
You should call our customer service lines 800-805-9128 or 800-321-6443.
When you speak to one of our customer service representatives, they will
escalate the issue to our operations team who will investigate the case; it is
unlikely that you will receive an immediate answer over the phone. Please note
that the preliminary score report given at the test site is not an official result
and infrequently an addition error by the NAE results in a false pass or fail
score.
13. Can the NAE advise the instructors
to the specific areas where the candidates failed the skill?
No, the NAE is not permitted to give advice to the instructor with specific
information about a candidate’s performance. The candidate’s preliminary score
report includes an indication of the checkpoints missed by the candidates that
can be used by the instructor to assist the candidate in preparation for
re-testing.
14. Why would an NAE move the equipment
in a room?
The testing room should resemble a resident’s room. The NAE is
instructed to walk through the testing room before the test begins to make sure
that there are no distracters for the candidates who are going to take the
test. If anything is not in a standard setting, the NAE needs to know why
before the exam begins and may require rearrangement of the spaces. If a piece
of equipment does not belong in the test setting the NAE is instructed to move
the equipment.
15. What are your procedures for IEP
candidates? What should be done to make the process smoother?
We require 30 days notice before we schedule an IEP candidate and we
must receive acceptable documentation such as a letter from a healthcare
professional, the signoff page of the IEP that lists accommodations, or a
letter on the facility letter head stating recommended accommodations from the
IEP. If we receive only a letter from the facility, it must include the
following statement: The (Facility/Program name) asserts that the IEP for (the
candidate name) has been reviewed and that the information submitted with this
request is accurate. Prometric shall not have any responsibility for evaluating
the IEP or confirming the information submitted in connection with the request.
16. Does the NAE deduct points on a
candidate if there are side rails?
NO, the NAE will not deduct points on a candidate if there are side
rails. Side rails are invisible to the NAE.
17. Can a program get statistics on the
number of candidates who took the CNA Exam, the number who passed, the number
who passed the clinical exam, and the number of candidates who passed the test
the first time in the entire state?
Currently we provide these statistics to the DOH on a monthly and
quarterly basis. The reports are also shared with the SED. Please contact
Joanne O’Brien for this type of information.
18. May we ask to not examine a certain
skill? Why are waist restraints on the exam?
No, you cannot ask to not examine a certain skill. All current skills
that are listed in the
19. Can a rescore be requested at no
cost for programs that see a dramatic drop in pass rates at no additional
costs?
No, rescores are done by hand and can be provided for a fee of $25.00
for each rescore. If the rescoring process finds errors, Prometric will refund
the rescoring fee. Prometric is confident that our scores are accurately
scoring the test forms. Also, all questions in use on
20. When will there be an updated
version of the New York State Nursing Home Nurse Aide Certification Program
Manual?
Prometric is currently updating the NYNHNACP Manual and as soon as it
has been completed one will be made available to each program/facility.