What Happens Next?

After you finish the examination, you are asked to complete a short evaluation of your experience. Then, you are instructed to report to the proctor to receive your score report. Scores are reported in written form only, in person or by U.S. mail. Scores are not reported over the telephone, by electronic mail or by facsimile. For U.S. testing candidates, your score report will be given to you immediately following completion of the examination. International testing candidates’ score reports will be mailed by AMP 3-5 business days following completion of the examination.

Your score report will indicate a “pass” or “fail.” Additional detail is provided by major content category raw scores. Examination scores are reported as raw scores and scaled scores. A RAW SCORE is the number of correctly answered questions. A SCALED SCORE is statistically derived from the raw score. Because different examination forms may vary slightly in difficulty from one to another, it is desirable to report examination scores as SCALED scores to ensure that all candidates have demonstrated the same level of competence regardless of which form of the examination they took.

Your TOTAL SCALED SCORE is used to determine whether you pass or fail and is reported as a value between 0 and 99. The passing scaled score is 75 for each examination.

The Clinical Laboratory Specialist in Cytogenetics Part I and Part II are administered separately in two-hour time blocks and must be taken on the same day. You must achieve a total scaled score of 75 on Part I AND total scaled score of 75 on Part II of the Cytogenetics Examination to pass.

The methodology used to set the minimum passing score is the Angoff Method, in which content expert judges estimate the passing probability of each question on the examination. These ratings are averaged to determine the minimum passing score (i.e., the number of correctly answered questions required to pass the examination). Your score is based on a set number of scored questions. Pretest, or nonscored, questions are also included on the examination for validation before use on future examinations. Your calculated score does not include your performance on “pretest” questions.

IF YOU PASS THE EXAMINATION
When you pass an NCA examination for the first time, you will be awarded the appropriate credential. You will receive a certificate of credential from NCA by the end of the next month following successful completion of the examination (e.g., examination taken on January 15 will receive certificate by February 28 verifying your certification). Requests for a verification letter or duplicate score report will be processed after your certificate and wallet card have been mailed. Your certification is active or valid for a period of three years. An NCA ID card verifying your active status and expiration date will be mailed with your certificate.

IF YOU DO NOT PASS THE EXAMINATION
If you do not pass the examination, a reapplication form is provided at the bottom of your score report. Submit this reapplication form and the full examination fee to schedule another examination. You will only be able to schedule an appointment once every 90 days. If you do not submit a reapplication form within one year of your original examination date you will be required to reapply with full documentation of your eligibility.

SCORES CANCELED BY THE NCA OR AMP
The NCA and AMP are responsible for the integrity of the scores they report. On occasion, occurrences such as computer malfunction or misconduct by a candidate may cause a score to be suspect. The NCA and AMP are committed to rectifying such discrepancies as expeditiously as possible. The NCA may void examination results if, upon investigation, violation of its regulations is discovered.