Association for Social Work Boards

Please see the attached response in regard to complaint [redacted] .Dear [redacted] This letter is in response to your February 10, correspondence regarding the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) licensing examinationAccording to our confidentiality policy, we cannot release any information to you regarding any candidate who reportedly took an ASWB examination without their expressed written consent to discuss their situation; however, I can give you some general information about ASWB’s examination policiesThe information I am providing to you is public information and can also be accessed through our website at www.aswb.org First, the purpose of the social work licensing examinations is to determine if social workers have the minimum knowledge necessary to practice in a competent and safe manner with little risk to the public they serveThe examination program cannot help social workers pass the test, nor can active items be used as learning tools; therefore, examination review is not allowedAnother important reason ASWB does not permit examination review concerns examination securityExamination review could provide candidates with an opportunity to review for purposes other than their own informationFor example, the questions could be memorized and sold to test preparation companiesThis has happened in other testing programsFrom a practical standpoint, there is no assurance that seeing the questions you missed would help you do better on the next examinationOnce you have seen a question, it is not likely to appear again, because candidates who retest are given a different version of the examinationSeveral versions of each ASWB examination category are given at the same time, and the questions on each of these versions are differentThe content that is being tested, however, is the sameNext, possible errors in content are accounted for well in advance of a test question being used as a scored itemBefore they can be included on the examinations as scored items, test questions must first perform acceptably as non-scored pretest itemsBefore items are selected for pretest, the questions must be reviewed and approved by editors, the Examination Committee, and form reviewersItems are not included as scored questions unless they have met these stringent content and statistical requirementsIf candidates raise concerns about typographical errors on their examination, ASWB reviews the examination the candidate took to verify there were no errors and responds to the candidate and takes action accordinglyIn addition, ASWB meets rigorous requirements to ensure that its examinations are fairGuidelines of the [redacted] , the [redacted] *** [redacted] , the [redacted] , the [redacted] ** [redacted] in Education, and the [redacted] are all followed in the creation and maintenance of the examination programThe association receives psychometric support from [redacted] ***, an internationally recognized testing companyASWB receives regular technical reports on its examination program from [redacted] and underwrites periodic outside evaluations by independent testing expertsThe ASWB social work licensure examinations are among the most reliable and carefully- maintained high-stakes examinations in the testing industryWe take our responsibility to the public—and to the social workers who serve them—very seriouslyWe do not grant candidates free examinations for unfounded complaints nor do we adjust examination scores for any reasonIn a high-stakes testing such as the ASWB examination, any such changes to examination scores would amount to unequal examination administration practicesI hope this information has been helpful in clarifying our policies for youSincerely, Lavina *H [redacted] , LCSW Examination Development Director Thank you, Lavina *H [redacted] , ***Director of Examination DevelopmentAssociation of Social Work BoardsSouthridge Parkway, Suite BCulpeper, VA 22701Phone: (540) 829-ext***Fax (540) 829-CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This communication is for the exclusive use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged informationIf you are not the intended recipient(s), you may not disseminate, distribute, or copy the information contained in this communication If you have received this communication in error, please notify the sender immediately and destroy this communication

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In response to the customer’s complaint, the fee of $was only good for one year from the date of approval and the customer did not contact us to register until after the expiration date. However, due to the circumstances that there may have been a miscommunication between the customer and the representative upon notification of the approval of the reduced fee, the customer will be allowed to register at the reduced fee of $until July 31, 2015. The customer has been contacted and informed of our decision.
Sincerely,
*** ***

[redacted]  In response to the customer’s complaint, the fee of $150 was only good for one year from the date of approval and the customer did not contact us to register until after the expiration date.  However, due to the circumstances that there may have been a...

miscommunication between the customer and the representative upon notification of the approval of the reduced fee, the customer will be allowed to register at the reduced fee of $150 until July 31, 2015.  The customer has been contacted and informed of our decision.  Sincerely, [redacted]

[A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's offer.  If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]
Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the offer made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution would be satisfactory to me. I will wait for the business to perform this action and, if it does, will consider this complaint resolved. If the company does not perform as promised I can get back to you at: [redacted]
Regards,
[redacted]

Please see the attached response in regard to complaint [redacted].Dear [redacted] This letter is in response to your February 10, 2017 correspondence regarding the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) licensing examination. According to our confidentiality policy, we cannot...

release any information to you regarding any candidate who reportedly took an ASWB examination without their expressed written consent to discuss their situation; however, I can give you some general information about ASWB’s examination policies. The information I am providing to you is public information and can also be accessed through our website at www.aswb.org First, the purpose of the social work licensing examinations is to determine if social workers have the minimum knowledge necessary to practice in a competent and safe manner with little risk to the public they serve. The examination program cannot help social workers pass the test, nor can active items be used as learning tools; therefore, examination review is not allowed. Another important reason ASWB does not permit examination review concerns examination security. Examination review could provide candidates with an opportunity to review for purposes other than their own information. For example, the questions could be memorized and sold to test preparation companies. This has happened in other testing programs. From a practical standpoint, there is no assurance that seeing the questions you missed would help you do better on the next examination. Once you have seen a question, it is not likely to appear again, because candidates who retest are given a different version of the examination. Several versions of each ASWB examination category are given at the same time, and the questions on each of these versions are different. The content that is being tested, however, is the same. Next, possible errors in content are accounted for well in advance of a test question being used as a scored item. Before they can be included on the examinations as scored items, test questions must first perform acceptably as non-scored pretest items. Before items are selected for pretest, the questions must be reviewed and approved by editors, the Examination Committee, and form reviewers. Items are not included as scored questions unless they have met these stringent content and statistical requirements. If candidates raise concerns about typographical errors on their examination, ASWB reviews the examination the candidate took to verify there were no errors and responds to the candidate and takes action accordingly. In addition, ASWB meets rigorous requirements to ensure that its examinations are fair. Guidelines of the [redacted], the [redacted], the [redacted], the [redacted] in Education, and the [redacted] are all followed in the creation and maintenance of the examination program. The association receives psychometric support from [redacted], an internationally recognized testing company. ASWB receives regular technical reports on its examination program from [redacted] and underwrites periodic outside evaluations by independent testing experts. The ASWB social work licensure examinations are among the most reliable and carefully- maintained high-stakes examinations in the testing industry. We take our responsibility to the public—and to the social workers who serve them—very seriously. We do not grant candidates free examinations for unfounded complaints nor do we adjust examination scores for any reason. In a high-stakes testing such as the ASWB examination, any such changes to examination scores would amount to unequal examination administration practices. I hope this information has been helpful in clarifying our policies for you. Sincerely, Lavina *. H[redacted], LCSW Examination Development Director  Thank you, Lavina *. H[redacted]Director of Examination DevelopmentAssociation of Social Work Boards400 Southridge Parkway, Suite BCulpeper, VA  22701Phone: (540) 829-6880 ext. [redacted]Fax (540) 829-0562 CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE:  This communication is for the exclusive use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient(s), you may not disseminate, distribute, or copy the information contained in this communication.  If you have received this communication in error, please notify the sender immediately and destroy this communication.

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the offer and/or response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
I am not satisfied with the response due to it did not address my concerns it simply explained testing protocols and procedures. Also, when I took the exam and noticed the errors the testing center witnessed them as well. I was offered at the time to have the error questions printed for me but I verified with the testing center that the questions would be able to be accessed by the ASWB, so I assumed with so many errors that the ASWB would see them and would accommodate a retest. I  felt reassured that the ASWB would be willing to work with me since the errors were not my fault, so I did not  see cause at the time for the questions to be printed.I would like for the president of the ASWB board to be notified and view my exam and respond. I am still requesting a retest at no charge.
Regards,
[redacted]

Review: In 2013, I paid 230.00 to take the Masters Social Work exam with an exam date of 2/17/14, as applicants have one year to take the exam. It snowed on the day of the exam. I spoke with someone from the board and was advised that my fee is forfeited. However, I can pay at the reduced rate if I provide documentation, which I did. I was approved for the exam at the reduced rate of 150.00 and I was not advised of any expiration date on the reduced rate at the time of approval. On 5-18-15, I attempted to apply for the exam, as I am now ready to take the exam, however, when I entered my information, the computer issued me regular pricing at 230.00. I called a rep from the ASWB afterwards who advised me that I must pay by phone. However, she was not able to give me the reduced rate because its been over a year since I was approved for the reduced rate. I told the rep that I was not told that I had til March 2015 to pay the reduced rate. I was just told when I am ready to take the exam it will be noted on record of the reduced rate. This is my third time taking this exam so I do not have a problem with paying the 230.00 since I paid it three times already. enclosed is the email: [redacted] Sent from my iPhone Begin forwarded message:From[redacted] Date: February 18, 2014 at 1:32:24 PM ESTTo: [redacted] Subject: RE: ASWB exam exceptionIf you did not test yesterday as scheduled you will be listed as a no-show and your exam fee is forfeited. We cannot authorize extensions. However, you can request an excused absence due to weather conditions. You will need to submit your request in writing along with documentation, newspaper clippings regarding the weather/road conditions, to my attention at the address below. If approved, you would be able to register at the reduced fee of $150. Please let me know if you have any questions.Desired Settlement: I would like to pay for the exam at the reduced rate of 150.00 which I was offered because of inclement weather whereas I could not take the exam. Again, I have paid the regular pricing for this exam several times and because I was not advised that I had twelve months to pay at the reduced rate, In good faith I should take this exam at 150.00.

Business

Response:

[redacted] In response to the customer’s complaint, the fee of $150 was only good for one year from the date of approval and the customer did not contact us to register until after the expiration date. However, due to the circumstances that there may have been a miscommunication between the customer and the representative upon notification of the approval of the reduced fee, the customer will be allowed to register at the reduced fee of $150 until July 31, 2015. The customer has been contacted and informed of our decision. Sincerely, [redacted]

Consumer

Response:

[A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's offer. If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]

I have reviewed the offer made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution would be satisfactory to me. I will wait for the business to perform this action and, if it does, will consider this complaint resolved. If the company does not perform as promised I can get back to you at: [redacted]

Regards,