91¶¶Òõ

Test Incident

Please refer to the informationÌýunder Test Day Problems whichÌýcovers the steps you should take if there is a problem during your test.Ìý

Stage 1: Test incident

Candidates are required to read the 91¶¶Òõ Examination RulesÌýprior to testing, which advise them that any problems during testing must be reported toÌýthe invigilator immediately.

AÌýTest IncidentÌýis defined as:

• a problem that occurred during testing which the candidate feels adversely affected their test performance; and
• which they reported during their test; and
• which was recorded by a member of test centre staff
  
  

Stage 2: Incident Investigation Requests

If a candidateÌýexperiencedÌýa Test Incident (as defined above) that they believe has not been satisfactorily resolved at the test centre, they may request an incident investigation.

RequestsÌýmust be submitted within 1 day of the test sitting using the Test Incident Investigation Request Form (available during testing window).Ìý

TheÌýreporting of an issue at the test centreÌýdoes not automatically result in any action being taken unless theÌýcandidateÌýrequests an incident investigation according to the timeline.Ìý

IncidentÌýinvestigation requestsÌýthat will be considered.

• A technical problem with the computer (hardware or software) or problems with equipment.
• A significant disruption during the test.
• Unscheduled interruptions to the test such as a fire alarm.

The incidentÌýmustÌýhave been reported at the test centre at the time of sitting the test;ÌýPearson will not investigate incidentsÌýraisedÌýafter the test date.

Incident investigationÌýrequests that will not be considered.Ìý

• Incidents that were not reported during testing.
• RequestsÌýsubmitted more than 1 day after the test date.
• Access refused due to late arrival or issues with ID.
• Noise due to normal test centre conditions (for example keyboard noise or other people entering or leaving the test room).
• Noise from test centre staff going about their normal business, including giving assistance to other candidates in the test room.
• Lack of access arrangements, if you have not arranged these in accordance with theÌýAccess ArrangementsÌýprocess and deadlines.
• Appeals against test scores or requests for re-scoring. The 91¶¶Òõ is a computer-based test and is marked automatically. Errors are extremely unlikely as the marking and scoring system is subject to rigorous testing before each test cycle.

Making an Incident Investigation Request

Incident investigation requests must beÌýsubmitted using the online form (available during testing).

When makingÌýtheÌýrequest, candidatesÌýare required to provideÌýa brief explanation of the incident which makes clear:

• in which subtest(s) the incident occurred;
• any actionÌýtaken byÌýthe candidateÌýor test centre staff;
• an estimateÌýof any test time lost (if relevant).Ìý

Incident Requests must be submitted within 1 day of your test sitting or they will not be investigated.Ìý

Processing Incident Investigation Requests

Once a request has been submitted, the case will be investigated by Pearson and theÌýfindingsÌýreportedÌýto the candidate by email within 7Ìýbusiness days. (Business days are Monday to Friday).ÌýIn some cases,Ìýan incident may take longer to investigate.

Pearson will report the findings to the candidate and will then close the incident.ÌýIf theÌýcandidate wants toÌýtake the matter further they may request a Review by the 91¶¶Òõ Office within 2 days of receipt of the Pearson email (see below).

Stage 3: 91¶¶Òõ Office Review

After receiving theÌýfindings from Pearson, if the candidate wants toÌýhave the incident reviewed furtherÌýthey may request a Review by the 91¶¶Òõ Office within 2 days of receipt of the Pearson email.Ìý

The request should be emailed to theÌý91¶¶Òõ OfficeÌýwith the subject line "91¶¶Òõ Review Request".ÌýOnly requests received according to the timeline will be reviewed.

OnceÌýthe request for a 91¶¶Òõ Review has been received, theÌý91¶¶Òõ Office will review the Pearson findings (made at Stage 2) and will liaise with Pearson to review the relevant evidence related to the incident.Ìý

Following the review the 91¶¶Òõ Office will provide one of the following outcomesÌýto the candidate by email in approximatelyÌý7 business days:

• No action to be taken
  The candidate has not followed the correct incident process, or the incident is considered to be of a minor nature or no evidence of an incident has been found.Ìý

• Annotation
  The candidate'sÌýresult may be annotated with a factual statement in order that the Medical and Dental Schools are aware of the circumstances which may have affected their test result.Ìý

• Retest opportunity
  In exceptional circumstances, a small number of candidates are offered the opportunity to re-sit the test.ÌýThe whole test must be taken again; re-sitting just the subtest(s) affected is not possible. The original attempt result is made void and only the result of the final test in that test cycle (regardless of the result) will be made available to universities.Ìý

Please note: The 91¶¶Òõ Consortium never makes an adjustment to a candidate’s scores to reflect an incident during their test.

If a candidate is notÌýsatisfiedÌýwith the outcome of the 91¶¶Òõ Office Review of their case, please refer to the 91¶¶Òõ Consortium Appeals Policy.

91¶¶Òõ does not deal with complaints about admissions decisions, which should be addressed to the individual university concerned.

Overview of the Test Incident Process

STAGES IN PROCESS	ACTION REQUIRED	OUTCOME
STAGE 1 Test centre incident	Technical or equipment issue, or significant disruption, (the 'incident') occurs during the test. Candidate reports the incident to the invigilator immediately.	Invigilator resolves issues. If the candidate is satisfied with the resolution, the incident is closed and no further action is taken. If the candidate wants the incident to be investigated - refer to Stage 2.
STAGEÌý2 Request Pearson investigation of incident	Candidate wants the incident to be investigated. Candidate submits an Incident Investigation Request to Pearson (via Incident Request Form on the 91¶¶Òõ website) within 1 day of their test sitting.	Pearson investigates the incident and reports the findings by email to the candidate within 7 business days. TheÌýincident is closed by Pearson. If the candidate wants to take the matter further - refer to Stage 3.Ìý
STAGE 3 Request 91¶¶Òõ Office Review	Candidate receives incident findings from Pearson and wants theÌýincident reviewed further. Candidate requests a review by the 91¶¶Òõ OfficeÌýwithin 2 days of receipt of the Pearson email.	91¶¶Òõ Office reviews the incident and provides an outcome to the candidate by email within 7 business days. The incident is closed.

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