Compliance with Testing Rules

Is Computer-Based Testing Right for Me?

By registering on the Internet for ICTS computer-based testing, you are agreeing to abide by the Rules of Test Participation for Computer-Based Testing and all rules and requirements specified or referenced in the current registration bulletin and communicated to you, orally or in writing, at each test administration for which you have registered. You will also be asked to indicate your agreement to the Rules of Test Participation and to the Professional Examination Rules of the test center, which will be provided to you prior to testing. Failure to indicate your agreement to the Rules of Test Participation or the Professional Examination Rules may result in the voiding of your test scores or in your not being allowed to test.

Rules of Test Participation for Computer-Based Testing

1. COMPLIANCE: I understand that if I fail to comply with the rules and requirements specified or referenced in the current bulletin, including these Rules of Test Participation, and communicated to me, orally and/or in writing, at the test administration, or if I take any prohibited actions, my test results may be voided, no refund will be issued, no portion of the testing fee can be applied toward the cost of any future testing fees, I may not be permitted to register for current or future test administrations, my registration may be canceled, I may not be allowed to test, I may be required to test under controlled conditions, and legal proceedings and actions may be pursued as well as any other remedies that the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and/or the Evaluation Systems group of Pearson, a business of NCS Pearson, Inc. (Evaluation Systems), may deem appropriate, including denying, revoking, or suspending a teaching certificate.

2. RETAKE POLICY: Effective January 12, 2010, no individual may attempt to pass the same test more than five times in any combination of the two formats (computer-based testing or paper-based testing). I have read and agree to the "Retake Policy" section of the current registration bulletin. I understand that once I have attempted a test five times, I will not be allowed to register for that test again.

3. REGISTRATION: I have read and agree to the "Test Fees and Payment Policies" section of the current registration bulletin. I understand that if any or all fees that are applicable to me are not paid in full for all test dates and/or tests for which I have registered for the ICTS, or if I do not indicate my agreement to abide by all applicable rules, I may not be permitted to register for current or future test sessions and/or my score report may not be produced and/or my score(s) may be voided.

4. WITHDRAWAL FROM TEST ADMINISTRATION: I may withdraw from a test administration and receive a partial refund if I withdraw my registration before scheduling my test appointment or cancel my test appointment at least one business day (24 hours) before my scheduled testing time and then withdraw my registration. If I cancel my test appointment later than one business day (24 hours) before my scheduled testing time or if I am absent from the test administration, I will receive no refund or credit of any kind.

5. IDENTIFICATION: I understand that I may not be admitted to the testing room if I do not have the proper identification. Proper identification consists of one piece of current, government-issued identification printed in English, in the name in which I registered, bearing my photograph and signature. I understand that I will be required to provide a finger or palm scan and a digital signature at the test site and that copies of my identification may be made, my photograph will be taken, and a video recording or other security measure will be employed at the administration, which may be used for identity verification. Additional security screenings may be required at test site facilities. If I am refused admission to the test, for any reason, I will be considered absent from the test and will receive no refund or credit of any kind.

6. LATE ARRIVAL: I understand that if I arrive after my scheduled testing time, I may be refused admission, in which case I will be considered absent and I will receive no refund or credit of any kind.

7. TEST ADMINISTRATION: I authorize the test administrators to serve as my agents in maintaining a secure test administration. I agree to follow all reasonable instructions given to me either orally or in writing at, or during, the test administration, including, but not limited to, instructions to relocate me during the test session. I agree not to communicate with other examinees or any unauthorized persons in any way during the test administration nor to engage in any other form of misconduct. I agree not to engage in behavior that would disrupt or unfairly affect my performance or the performance of other examinees. I agree to provide a digital signature and finger or palm scan, and to provide identification as specified above. In the event of a possible breach of test security, I agree to cooperate with testing personnel. If I fail to comply with these conditions, my name will be reported to ISBE and Evaluation Systems; my score may be voided without refund or credit of any kind; and other actions, as described in Rule 1, may be taken as deemed appropriate by ISBE and Evaluation Systems.

8. TEST PROPERTY: I understand that all test materials and any portion thereof or information relating thereto (referred to below as the "Test Materials") are the sole property of ISBE. I understand that my responses, without the identification of my name, may be used for research, for development and implementation of testing programs, for scorer training or study materials, or for other purposes associated with the program. I have not received or reviewed any Test Materials prior to taking the test and no Test Materials will be available for me to review after the test. I am not permitted to take, and I will not take, any Test Materials or handwritten or printed notes (referred to below as "Notes") reflecting or recording anything about Test Materials from the testing room or to disassemble, copy, or reproduce the Test Materials in whole or in part, by hand or with the use of any electronic, or other type of device of any nature.

9. TEST MATERIALS: I understand that I will not be permitted to bring Notes to, or use Notes during, the test. Throughout the test session, I will have nothing at my workstation but the erasable noteboard and marker provided by the test administrator. The use/possession of Notes, calculators, calculator watches, calculator manuals, cellular phones, electronic communication devices, visual or audio recording or listening devices or any device with an on/off option, scratch paper, or any unauthorized aid (collectively referred to below as "Unauthorized Aids") is prohibited. I may use the erasable noteboard provided for any intermediate work I need to do to answer the specific questions. However, only answers and writing samples that I record on the computer will be scored. I understand and agree that if test administrators have a reasonable suspicion that I have or may have in my possession any Test Materials, Notes, and/or Unauthorized Aids, I will immediately turn over any such Test Materials, Notes, and/or Unauthorized Aids in my possession to the test administrators at any time upon their request. I also understand that a breach of security might result in my name being reported to ISBE and Evaluation Systems; my score may be voided without refund or credit of any kind; and other actions, as described in Rule 1, may be taken as deemed appropriate by ISBE and Evaluation Systems.

10. NONDISCLOSURE OF TEST MATERIALS: Because of the great cost expended to develop the Test Materials, because of the necessity that they be kept confidential and secure from disclosure in order to fairly and effectively perform the test functions for which they were designed, and because any disclosure of part or all of the contents of the Test Materials to anyone might render them unusable for future test administrations, all test materials must be confidential and secure from disclosure. I further understand and agree that I will not disclose the Test Materials or any part of them to anyone for a period of ten (10) years from the date of the test administration to which such Test Materials pertain. I understand and agree that if I should violate this agreement of nondisclosure, I may be liable in damages for the costs incurred as a result of any breach of this agreement, and I may also be subject to other legal and equitable remedies for any such breach. I further understand and agree that neither I, nor anyone on my behalf, will be permitted access to the Test Materials before or after I take the test.

11. TEST SESSION: I understand that my test session will be no longer than the length specified in the "Test Selection for Computer-Based Testing" section of the current registration bulletin. After admission to the test site, I may not leave the test site for any reason until I have been officially dismissed and all of my Test Materials have been collected by a test administrator. Once I have completed the test(s), or at the end of the test session, my Test Materials will be collected, and I will be dismissed. Once dismissed, I must leave the test site, and I will not be readmitted unless I am scheduled to take a test later that day.

12. TEST SCORE REPORTING AND CANCELLATION: I understand that my test score(s) will be reported to me; to ISBE; to the Illinois institution(s) indicated during registration; and to any other institution, entity, or person authorized or required by law to receive this information. I understand that any information provided as part of registration may be used to report scores or contact me regarding test- or program-related issues. My score report will be sent even if I leave the testing room before I finish the test. If I do not want my score reported, I understand that a request in writing must be received by Evaluation Systems within two (2) business days after the test date. If I cancel my test score(s), I will receive no refund or credit of any kind, and my scores will not be entered into any records or reported to me, to ISBE, or to any Illinois institution.

13. VOIDED SCORE: I understand that if I fail to comply with the rules and requirements set forth in the current bulletin, including these Rules of Test Participation, and communicated to me, orally and/or in writing, at the test administration, or if doubts are raised about the validity or legitimacy of my registration or my score(s), Evaluation Systems will notify ISBE and other parties as deemed appropriate. ISBE reserves the right to void my test score(s) if, in its sole opinion, there is adequate reason to question its validity or legitimacy due to circumstances within or beyond my control. Other actions, as described in Rule 1, may be taken as deemed appropriate by ISBE and/or Evaluation Systems.

14. RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS REGARDING TEST ADMINISTRATION: I understand and agree that liability for test administration activities, including but not limited to the adequacy or accuracy of Test Materials and equipment, the adequacy or accuracy of the registration and administration processes or conditions, the adequacy of test site facilities, the adequacy or accuracy of scoring, the adequacy or accuracy of score reports, the adequacy or accuracy of information provided to me in connection with the ICTS program, and the adequacy of protection of examinee information will be limited to score correction or test retake at no additional fee. I waive any and all rights to all other claims, specifically including, but not limited to, claims for negligence arising out of any acts or omissions of ISBE and Evaluation Systems (including the employees, agents, contractors, or professional advisors of ISBE and Evaluation Systems).

15. PROGRAM CHANGES: I understand that the testing program is subject to change at the sole discretion of ISBE and that I will be informed of any modification in the testing program that affects this application.

16. OBJECTION TO PROCEDURES: If, for any reason, I object to the procedures presented in these Rules of Test Participation, I must advise Evaluation Systems, in writing, of the basis of my objection at least six (6) weeks before the test date for which I wish to register for my objection to be taken under consideration. If my objection is not honored, I will not be registered for the test administration. If I nevertheless object, my registration may be canceled, I may not be permitted to test, or my score(s) may be voided.

17. RULES: I understand that should any of these rules or any other requirement or provision contained in the current bulletin be declared or determined by any court to be illegal or invalid, the remaining rules, requirements, and provisions will not be affected, and the illegal or invalid rule, requirement, or provision shall not be deemed a part of this bulletin. The headings of each of the Rules of Test Participation are for convenient reference only. They do not necessarily reflect the entire subject matter of each rule and are not intended to be used for the purpose of modifying, interpreting, or construing any of these Rules of Test Participation. I agree that any legal action arising in connection with my registration for, or participation in, a test administration shall be brought in the state and federal courts governing Springfield, Illinois, and I consent to the personal jurisdiction of such courts.

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