The Oregon Institute of Technology (Oregon Tech) received word earlier this month that it was awarded the National College Testing Association (NCTA) Certification, a distinction that will serve students and the community by providing a higher level of required national standards for all testing services. As only the second of two centers in the state and one of about 100 nationally, the designation is an acknowledgement of Oregon Tech’s adherence to best practices in the testing industry.
The NCTA endorsement will ensure that the exams and board certifications offered to the campus’ students, alumni and community are being offered at a national standard level, ensuring greater quality, administration and security for all testing measures. Many students will now be able to take certain exams on campus that will save money and time for test takers. Oregon Tech can also serve the Klamath Falls community more broadly by enabling residents to take other types of national exams at its Testing Center that they may have had to go out of state or region to take in the past. Many high stakes exams require strong standards of testing and must be proctored by professionals at certified Centers. The certification will ensure the quality needed for the Center to administer these exams for Oregon Tech students, alumni and community.
Dr. Erin Foley, Vice President for Student Affairs said, “I am so proud of the work that everyone in Oregon Tech’s Testing Center has put into this 18-month process of getting the NCTA certification. It is a great testament to the pride that Center Director Dan Ziriax and his team have in providing the highest quality services to our students and community. Their willingness to do all of the work to earn this distinction says a lot about their care for our students and their steady focus on getting them successfully to the graduation finish line, and beyond to career readiness.”
The designation also has the potential to bring in revenues to the Center from testing fees that community members would pay to take official examinations, which they may have had to go elsewhere to take in the past. This would include tests such as CLEP, MAT, HESI, ACT, SAT, Prometric testing, etc. Center Coordinator, Nyesia Driver noted, “We are excited to get the word out to students, distance learners and the community about what we can offer now to help individuals meet their various certification and professional license needs.”
