Computer-Based Testing for EMT Students Vermont EMS and the National Registry of EMTs October 2006

Change is Coming  Computer-Based Testing (CBT) is new and will mean a number of changes for:  students  course coordinators  Vermont EMS Office staff  the National Registry.

 Please be patient as we refine this new process.  Results for you:  next-day exam results  more flexible exam scheduling  quicker turnaround on NREMT cards  quicker turnaround on VT cards

 Registration  Results  How Computer-Adaptive Testing is Different for Students  Testing Sites and Fees  Pilot Test Results

Registration  About a month before your course ends, you will create an account on the NREMT web site and complete an application for EMT-B certification.

Registration  At the end of the course, your course coordinator will sign onto the site and verify you have completed the course

Registration  The Vermont EMS Office will sign onto the NREMT web site and verify you:  are eligible for certification and  have passed the practical exam.  Only AFTER all these steps are completed will you receive a card from the NREMT.

Registration  The NREMT will electronically provide VTEMS with the information from your application, speeding up your VT certification.

Results  You will get your test results ed to you the day after you take your test.

Results  Instead of a numerical score, you will get one of three descriptions for the overall test and each section on the test:  above the standard  near the standard  below the standard

Results  If you need to retest, you must wait 14 days.

How Computer-Adaptive Testing is Different  Since the computer selects items based on how well you do, you should expect the exam to be difficult  EVEN IF YOU’RE THE SMARTEST PERSON IN THE CLASS

How CAT is Different  Expect to feel challenged, even wrung- out after the exam.  THIS IS NORMAL.

Testing Sites & Fees  Testing sites available in Vermont:  Pearson Testing Center, S Burlington  VT Police Academy, Pittsford  Testing sites available nearby:  Littleton, NH  Keene, NH  Concord, NH  Albany, NY area (3 sites)

Testing Sites & Fees  Pearson Vue and NREMT charge $70 for someone to take the EMT-B exam.  VTEMS plans to pay for one attempt for each Vermont student.  A student will have to pay for any retest.

Testing Sites & Fees  Pearson does not give refunds, so if you schedule a time and cannot make it, re- schedule. If you miss the appointment, you will have to pay for the next one.

Pilot Test Results  Students didn’t know they were going to be challenged, so they felt bad after the test, ESPECIALLY THE BETTER STUDENTS.  Keep in mind: Toward the end of the exam, the vast majority get 50% of the questions right.

Pilot Test Results  394 students took pilot test in multiple states  EMT-B pass rate was 76.9%  Number of questions: First Responder EMT- Basic Minimum7070 Maximum90120

Pilot Test Results  More than 95% of students who finished in minimum number of questions passed.  Average time on the EMT-B pilot test was 45 minutes.  The longest time was 110 min.  Maximum allowed time is 2 hours.