News

2021-2022 PILOT TESTING

The Pennsylvania Association of Career and Technical Administrators

(PACTA) is partnering with the Pennsylvania Department of Education and

NOCTI to assist with the pilot testing of NOCTI national job ready tests. We

believe that this partnership will result in high quality tests which meet the needs

of Pennsylvania career and technical education students.  This is especially

important with the technical skill accountability measures required by Perkins V

and Pennsylvania State Board of Education regulations. This partnership can only be successful with the cooperation of PACTA member schools. 

We need your assistance in the administration of pilot tests.  We strongly encourage schools to pilot both the written and performance components.  Both components must meet the required number of test takers for proper validation of the test.  If the required number of test takers is not acquired, the test cannot be validated and will not be released in the fall as a final test.  Details on the 2021-2022 pilot testing schedule and tests to be piloted are below.

GENERAL GUIDELINES/REQUIREMENTS
 

• Pilot test takers should be program completers/seniors.  Schools should only pilot test with program completers as the population being pilot tested should match the post-test.
   

• Pilot tests must be administered a minimum of six weeks before students take their post-test.  Pilot tests may also be administered after the post-test.
   

• Normative data is not calculated for pilot tests.  Pilot test scores are for informational purposes only and are not to be used as a substitute for pre- or post-test scores.
   

• All multiple-choice pilot tests will be delivered in the online format only.  Performance ratings must be entered into the online system.  Instructions for entering performance ratings are available in the Resources section of NOCTI’s Client Services Center.
   

• Pilot tests are not available in text-to-speech format.

BENEFITS OF PILOT TESTING
 

• Helps NOCTI ensure the validity and release of the test.
   

• Allows the school an opportunity to administer the new/revised test in a "no pressure" (practice) environment.
   

• Gives the school an opportunity to review and improve internal test administration processes and test security procedures.
   

• Encourages a review of curriculum to ensure its effectiveness.
   

INCENTIVES FOR PILOT TESTING

Sites piloting one or more NOCTI national tests completing at least 10 pilot tests are eligible for a NOCTI gift certificate:
 

• $100 – for administering at least 10 multiple-choice pilot tests
   

• $250 – for administering at least 10 multiple-choice and performance pilot tests
   
• $400 – for administering at least 25 multiple-choice and performance pilot tests
   

PILOT TEST TITLES

NOCTI National Job Ready Tests

Test Title CIP Code

Agriculture Mechanics  (2202) 01.0201 / 01.0000

Audio-Visual Communications  (4005) 50.0602

Cabinetmaking  (4014) 48.0703

Collision Repair and Refinishing  (3383)  performance only 47.0603 

Criminal Justice (4281) 43.0107

Diesel Technology  (4227) 47.0613

Forest Products and Processing  (4037) 03.0511

Hospitality Management – Lodging  (3180) 52.1905 

Manufacturing Technology  (3084) 48.9999

Production Agriculture  (3163) 01.9999 / 01.0000

Visual Communications and Multimedia Design  (3525) 09.0702

Web Design  (4750) 11.0801

IMPORTANT DATES

January 3, 2022 – May 16, 2022 Pilot testing window

May 16, 2022 On-line pilot test user codes must be released

ORDERING INFORMATION

Test site coordinators are responsible for ordering pilot tests.  NOCTI has a customized pilot test order form for Pennsylvania schools.  The order form will be available on NOCTI’s Client Services Center at the beginning of January 2022.

Log onto http://clientservices.nocti.org/

1. Select the “Ordering” tab

2. Select “Pilot Test” order form

CONTACT INFORMATION

If you have questions regarding pilot testing in Pennsylvania, contact Lori Bell at lvb6@psu.edu.