Transitioning from multiple choice questions (MCQ) to performance-based certification (PBC) with performance-based questions isn’t easy, but it’s worth it.

Tech leaders who have already made the switch—Google, SUSE, and Chef—are enjoying benefits like trustworthy channel-partner relationships, greater brand recognition, and increased sales opportunities.

The process of creating PBC questions is surprisingly similar to that of MCQ. However, there are some key differences that hiring and certification managers should familiarize themselves with before getting started.

In this article, we’ll outline what those things are and why they matter. We’ll start with performance-based interviewing, then move on to on-the-job exams and certifications. We’ll also discuss why mentally preparing subject matter experts early on is vital to growing a successful certification program.

Let’s get started:

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In candidate evaluations and employee development, great test design for performance-based assessments and exams depends on a shared understanding of competence.

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Hands-on or Performance testing is a no-brainer for organizations that seek to differentiate by increasing fidelity of their certification program.

The message is loud and clear that “certification matters.”  As reported by Global Knowledge in their 2021 IT Skills and Salary report, 76% of IT decision-makers experience critical skills gaps on their teams, a 145% increase since 2016. On the flip side, 80% reported benefits of certification including faster performance, higher engagement, and better work outcomes. Today, more hiring managers are seeking applicants with certifications to fill in-demand roles.

Not only are certifications important, but so is the type of certification. At TrueAbility we often tout the fact that not all certifications are created equal. We base this on how many educational objectives an exam captures, if the exam is prone to test breach (cheating) and if the test-taker can demonstrate real skills.

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It was 2AM. After another late night call with a frustrated exam taker in APAC, Jim rubbed his eyes and let out a deep sigh. 

Jim was really worried about the future of his company’s performance-based certification program. Everything seemed to be unravelling at once after a great initial launch in North America. 

As Jim and his small team began to expand the program to Europe and Asia, so too did the support issues related to the delivery of their exams. Network latency, software defects, misconfigured exam environments, challenges with remote proctoring, and a host of other issues were putting an enormous strain on his team. They were up at all hours of the night dealing with unhappy users, which affected their ability to create new exams and market the program. 

The stakes were personally high for Jim too. He had advocated for transitioning the company’s certification program to performance-based exams in order to make the exams more meaningful. He was also the one who decided to build the exam delivery platform in-house.

As the night wore on, Jim began to wonder if the time had come to find a partner to help him deliver and support his performance-based exams. He also wondered if such a company even existed.

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