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E-testing Update

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March 2008

The PSC is expanding its e-testing capacity

The Public Service Commission (PSC) is expanding its e-testing capacity to assist departments and agencies with increased assessment needs related to public service renewal, national area of selection and collective staffing.  PSC e-testing facilities are operational in six regional offices across the country1 and the PSC is available to assist organizations interested in establishing their own facilities.

E-testing is a powerful tool for managing candidate volumes, costs and assessment time frames. Using PSC e-tests allows us to process and score tests more efficiently while enhancing test security.  Once completed, the e-test is automatically uploaded for immediate scoring. The scores are validated by the PSC and sent to departments within 48 hours. Shipping of test booklets and other test material that could be potentially misplaced is no longer required. Time required on the part of human resources professionals and test administrators involved in the testing process is also greatly reduced.

In addition to implementing fully functional e-testing centres in six of seven regional offices1, the PSC, through the Personnel Psychology Centre (PPC), has introduced a number of initiatives aimed at enhancing the use of e-testing:

E-testing in departments

As of December 2007, test administrators in 24 federal government organizations have been trained and certified to administer online tests. This includes Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, Industry Canada, Passport Canada and the House of Commons. We are currently assisting other departments and agencies in establishing their own e-testing centres.

A new e-testing system

In March 2008, the PSC will begin the transition from an external service provider to its own e-testing platform. This will minimize costs associated with test administration and ensure continuity of e-testing services into the future. It will also allow us to offer a greater variety of tests online.

PSC tests available online

The following PSC tests are currently available online:

  • Second Language Evaluation (SLE) Test of Written Expression in the Second Official Language
  • SLE Reading Comprehension Test
  • Situational Judgement Test 318
  • Graduate Recruitment Test
  • Written Communication Proficiency Test
  • Examen de compétence en communication écrite

Additional PSC tests will be available online in the coming months, including the Appointment Framework Knowledge Test in March 2008.

Further information

For information about e-testing, please contact Shannon Poole, Manager, E-testing and Test Administration at 613-992-9686 or by e-mail at shannon.poole@psc-cfp.gc.ca.

1 The e-testing centre in Halifax is planned to be operational in 2008/09.

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Date Modified:
2008-03-07