What is the Format
of the Certified Approver Exam?
The Certified Approver
Exam has a two-part format.
Part 1 of the exam (1.5
hours) has 50 multiple-choice questions covering University policies
and procedures and federal regulations including OMB Circulars A-21
and A-110. No supplementary materials, such as University policies
or federal regulations, may be used to help with Part 1.
Part 2 of the exam (2.5
hours) has 30 multiple-choice questions dealing with the approval
or denial of financial transactions on specific sponsored projects.
The transactions are based on case studies that pertain to specific
sponsoring agencies. Exam takers choose three case studies from
a pool of five case studies on which to be examined. Part 2 is an
open book exam, so a full set of supplementary materials are made
available to exam takers. Supplemental materials include project
proposals, budgets, sponsor award documents, SPAs notice of grant
award, University policies, sponsor's regulations, and federal regulations.
Parts 1 and 2 of the exam can be taken in
any order, but it is recommended that Part 1 be taken before Part
2. |
How was the Exam
Developed?
The exam was developed
by external experts on sponsored projects and a committee of University
staff. The exam was validated by the Office of Measurement Services/University
Counseling and Consulting Services using groups of experts, nonexperts,
and a range of other specialists within this field. |
| Who Administers the Exam? The exam is administered
by the Test Administration Office of University Counseling and Consulting
Services (UCCS). The Certified Approver Exam is scored by UCCS Office
of Measurement Services. |
| How Often are the Exams Offered? During FY2008,
each part of the exam will be offered on a bi-monthly basis through
May 14, 2008. A moratorium on the exam will be
in effect from May 15, 2008 - September, 2009 in order to give
the OAR office time to update the exams with the new financial system
information. The current testing schedule is
available at: http://www.oar.umn.edu/CA/CAE_Schedule.cfm.
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| What is the Registration Procedure? You may
only be registered for one session of each part of the CA exam at
a time. An exam registration form is on the web at: http://www.oar.umn.edu/CA/form.cfm.
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What
Preparation Tips are Offered for Exam Takers?
A complete
list of themes covered in the exam is available at: http://www.oar.umn.edu/CA/CAE_Themes.cfm
Information
on coping with and reducing exam anxiety and test taking preparation
tips are available at: http://www.ucs.umn.edu/lasc/handouts/selfscript.html
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| Are There Disability Accommodations Available for Exam Takers?
Yes. If an exam taker believes s/he should receive special exam
accommodations for a disability, the person should contact Disability
Services at 612-624-3316 to verify the nature of the disability
and to identify the accommodations needed for the exam. Disability
Services will contact the UCCS Testing Center to assist with this
process. |
| When are Exam Results Distributed? Exam results
should be provided within three weeks of taking an exam. |
| Who is Informed of Exam Scores? Exam
takers receive a total score, the percentage of items passed correctly
for each competency area, and the score required to pass the exam.
If an exam taker is being
considered for appointment as a Certified Approver (as indicated
on the exam registration form), exam results are also sent to the
person's supervisor.
If the exam taker passes the exam, that fact
(not the scores) and the date the exam was passed are added to the
person's formal University record maintained by Human Resources.
This information is also sent to the OAR office, to be kept with
the records on the Certified Approver Program. If the exam taker
does not pass the exam, nothing is added to the formal University
record or sent to the OAR office. |
| What if an Exam Taker Passes Only One Part of the Exam?
Both parts of the exam must be passed before a candidate can be
appointed as a Certified Approver. See Policy: http://www.oar.umn.edu/CA/CAE_Time_Limit.cfm |
| What if an Exam Taker Must Re-take Part of
the Exam? Each part of the two-part exam can be re-taken.
However, if an exam taker does not pass a part of the exam after
the second try, the person must develop a plan for improving his/her
readiness to pass the exam and have the plan approved by the collegiate
research dean. The plan may require formal or informal training
as determined by the responsible collegiate unit. The plan must
be completed before the person is eligible to retake the exam. The
plan should be submitted to the OAR office, along with a summary
of the activities completed in preparation for re-taking the exam.
From there, we recommend that you follow your plan for a minimum
of 3 months before attempting to re-take the exam. |
What if an Exam
Taker Does Not Pass After the Third Attempt?
If the exam taker does
not pass the exam after the third attempt, there will be case-by-case
treatment. There will be a consultation between the Director of
OAR, the Collegiate Research Associate Dean of the unit, and others
as appropriate, to determine a course of action for the exam taker.
It is anticipated that the individual will not be allowed to retake
the exam, unless their position or job substantially changes, or
they have demonstrated that their skill and knowledge level has
increased sufficiently so that they will be successful on the exam.
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