What language capabilities does ProCert Labs have?

ProCert Labs language capabilities include English, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Korean, Greek and Arabic. We currently have reviewers on our staff that are fluent in these languages, with several reviewers teaching their respective language as an element of their career.

Which courseware modalities does ProCert Labs test?

ProCert Labs' flexible testing methodology allows for various modes of courseware to be tested in a consistent manner. ProCert Labs can currently accommodate testing for the following modes of courseware delivery:

1. Print (including books, guides and manuals)
2. Video (including VHS, PAL, SECAM and DVD formats)
3. CBT (all computer-based training including CD-ROM and diskette)
4. ILT (instructor-led training is usually based on Print modalities)
5. IBT (Internet-based training delivered via popular browser platforms)
6. PDA (Personal Digital Assistant training including Palm, Windows CE)
7. Assessment Exams in various delivery methods

If new modalities should appear on the scene, our testing tools and utilities can easily adapt to accommodate them.

Does ProCert Labs conduct testing for vendors?

Yes, ProCert Labs specializes in managing third-party courseware review and quality assurance programs. We currently provide our service to CompTIA, LPI and Brainbench.

What types of quality assurance testing does ProCert Labs perform?

The ProCert Labs testing process incorporates three primary areas of testing that result in a thorough and valuable review of courseware products. The three areas of testing are:

1. Exam Objectives Correlation
2. Instructional Design Integrity
3. Benchmark Comparison

ProCert Labs testing is designed to provide critical feedback that can be used for quality benchmarking, product improvement and to identify marketable features.

What is the ProCert Labs testing process?

Our testing process is conducted over the Web and is organized into sections. The sections, in order of their completion, are: Basic Information; Exam Objectives Correlation Test, Instructional Design Integrity Test, Benchmark Comparison, Vendor Module (if applicable), Summary and Report. The duration for a typical test is 14 days although our stated expectation and commitment is within 21 days.

What is the Exam Objectives Correlation Test?

The Exam Objectives Correlation is designed to determine whether the course covers all the public certification exam objectives for which it is designed. Courseware must include a reference to 100 percent of the published exam objectives to pass ProCert Labs testing in this area.

What is the Instructional Design Integrity Test?

The Instructional Design Integrity test determines whether the course meets instructional design standards to assure customers that exam concepts are logically organized and conceptually understandable. This testing section is specific to the modality of the course and is based on assessing incidents of integrity on both the Lichert scale (1-5) and a binary scale (yes/no). The Instructional Design test relies on commonly accepted learning theories and instructional design research.

What is the Benchmark Comparison?

The Benchmark Comparison is a review and correlation of courseware to our list of fourteen key elements of effective courseware. This test is conducted to provide an apples-to-apples comparison of courseware products in a standardized forum.

How are ProCert Labs tests scored?

Each section of testing is scored independently and then averaged into the overall score with weighted consideration. Each section of testing is weighted to provide a balanced assessment of critical factors with less important ones. An overall score is based on a scale of 1-5, with five being the best. It is possible to score poorly in a lower-weighted section and still do well on the overall test. Courseware must achieve an overall score of three or better to pass.

How can I tell if a course has passed ProCert Labs testing?

A course that passes ProCert Labs testing is eligible to receive and display the ProCert Labs Tested service mark for that course. The ProCert Labs Tested service mark is a symbol of quality and assurance that the course is accurately designed to help customers achieve certification.

What benefits do courseware developers get when their courses pass?

A course that achieves a passing mark is eligible to receive and use the ProCert Labs Tested service mark for marketing and promotion. In addition, passing courseware is eligible to receive a positive review by Professional Certification Magazine for publication in print and online. The course is also added to the Professional Certification library for online purchase and is included in our Reviews for recommendation to the Professional Certification community.

Can a courseware vendor refute the results of a ProCert Labs test?

Yes. ProCert Labs invites courseware developers to refute any comments provided in a ProCert Labs report. Refuted items must include the original courseware test number (assigned by ProCert Labs) and documented proof that a comment or finding is inaccurate. ProCert Labs will consider changes to the test results only if documented evidence provides accurate clarification that a comment made on the original courseware product was incorrect.

Can a course be resubmitted if it fails ProCert Labs testing?

If a course does not pass the ProCert Labs testing process with a three or better, it may be resubmitted with corrections for a second review and tested again at a reduced testing rate. Resubmitted courseware must include documented changes that were made to the course. For more information on how to resubmit courses email submission@procertlabs.com.

Are ProCert Labs test results available to everyone?

No. ProCert Labs test results are confidential to ProCert Labs and the submitting courseware developer. However, an editorial review is published on each passing courseware product and is featured in Professional Certification eMag and online at www.procertcom.com.

How long does it take for ProCert Labs to test a course?

ProCert Labs is committed to perform courseware testing within 21 days, and typically deliver within 14 days.

Does ProCert Labs collect logo license fees for third-party programs?

Yes, in cases where our program vendor partners have requested that we collect applicable logo license fees on behalf of the program. Third-party logo license fees are not available for discount through ProCert Labs.