Examination Scheduling
Schroeder Measurement Technologies, Inc. (SMT) administers the CSA examination. SMT assists NSAA with the certification process through all aspects of test development, test administration and candidate support. They adhere to professional standards and guidelines required in the testing industry.
The most important of these standards are promulgated by such key organizations as the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), the National Council on Measurement in Education (NCME), the American Educational Research Association (AERA), the Council on Licensure, Enforcement and Regulation (CLEAR) and the Institute of Credentialing Excellence (ICE), formerly NOCA. This body of standards provides a means for ensuring that the assessment process is a fair measurement of competence and is legally defensible.
Computer Based Testing
SMT provides computer-based testing (CBT) through their corporate affiliate Iso-Quality Testing, Inc. (IQT). IQT is a test administration company specializing in the delivery of CBT exams that are secure, high quality and user-friendly. IQT can deliver the CSA exam at over 300 sites throughout North America and around the world.
The online CSA examination will be given at a testing center most convenient to the candidate’s work or home. Candidates should complete the examination scheduling process as soon as they know their personal schedule. The sooner they schedule on-line, the better the availability of a seat at their preferred location.
Online Scheduling
Once a candidate receives their Examination Receipt/Admission Letter from NSAA containing their unique User Name and Password for testing, they may schedule an appointment to take the CSA exam.
A candidate may schedule an examination appointment online at any time by using the online scheduling service.
Navigate the browser to: www.iqttesting.com.
- Select ‘Exam Registration’.
- Enter User ID and Password
Candidates should be prepared to confirm a date and location for testing.
Telephone Scheduling
Call ISO Quality Testing at (866) 773-1114 to schedule an examination appointment. This toll-free number is answered from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time) Monday through Friday.
The examination is administered by appointment only Monday through Saturday at 9:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Individuals are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis.
When the appointment is made, the candidate will be given a time to report to the Testing Center. Candidates must be prepared to present their Examination Receipt/Admission Letter prior to taking the CSA exam. UNSCHEDULED CANDIDATES (WALK-INS) WILL NOT BE ADMITTED into a testing center.
Candidates should call to schedule a test as soon as they receive their Examination Receipt/Admission Letter from NSAA, even if they do not want to test immediately. Candidates must take the examination before the expiration date provided on the Examination Receipt/Admission Letter or forfeit the examination fee.
Examination Day Reporting Time
Candidates will be given a specific reporting time when they schedule the examination. Allow sufficient time to find the testing center and make sure to have all necessary documents before reporting for registration. A candidate who arrives 15 or more minutes after the scheduled testing time will NOT be admitted. Candidates who arrive late are considered absent and forfeit all examination fees paid.
Test Administration
After identification has been confirmed, the candidate will be assigned to a computer station. Candidates will be allowed four hours to take the examination. Candidates should notify the testing center administrator upon completion of the exam. Scoring of the examination will take place immediately and candidates will receive a preliminary pass/fail report prior to leaving the testing center. Official score reports will arrive from the NSAA within 2 weeks.
Examination Rescheduling
A candidate may reschedule an examination appointment at no charge ONCE by calling ISO Quality Testing at (866) 773-1114 at least five business days prior to the scheduled testing session.
IMPORTANT: Failure to show for a scheduled examination appointment will result in forfeiture of total paid testing fees and necessitate reapplying for your examination and resubmission of testing fees.
A candidate who wishes to reschedule his/her examination appointment, but fails to contact ISO Quality Testing at least five business days prior to the scheduled testing session will forfeit the total testing fees and will need to reapply with the NSAA to get a new Examination Receipt/Admission Letter. Failure to call to cancel an examination will result in loss of testing fees.
Retesting
Candidates who are unsuccessful in passing the examination may re-test after thirty (30) days. Once NSAA is in receipt of a retesting fee, a new Examination Receipt/Admission Letter will be issued. Candidates can test three times during any calendar year. Candidates will be required to submit a retake application to receive reauthorization to test.
Military Information
Military applicants stationed overseas may request to test through their base education officer, rather than at one of the established testing centers.
The base education center can administer a web based examination under the following conditions: if the applicant is stationed outside the United States; if an instructor is testing a group of applicants; if an applicant is testing at sea or if the military post is more than 100 miles from a testing center. NSAA will mail the test results directly to the testing candidates within six weeks.
To utilize a military base education center, applicants must submit a letter with the examination application, requesting administration through the base education center. The letter must include the base name, geographic location (base and country), the testing officer’s name, mailing address and phone number. All paperwork must be received by NSAA a minimum of 45 days prior to the requested examination date.
Examination Security
The NSAA and SMT maintain examination administration and security standards that are designed to assure that all candidates are provided the same opportunity to demonstrate their abilities. All testing centers are continuously monitored by audio and video surveillance equipment for security purposes. All examination questions are the copyrighted property of the NSAA. It is forbidden under federal copyright law to copy, reproduce, record, distribute and/or display these examination questions by any means, in whole or in part. Candidates are not permitted to discuss examination contents or remove examination materials from the testing sites at any time. Doing so may subject you to severe civil and criminal penalties.