Controlled Remote Assessments CILEX
Controlled Remote Assessments – Written Exam and Critical Incidents Test
Datalaw is an Assessment Organisation and Apprenticeship Provider authorised by the Solicitors Regulations Authority, Legal Aid Agency, The Law Society and Education and Skills Funding Agency.
This document sets out the guidance and requirements for controlled remote assessments, with specific reference to:
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Controlled Assessment |
Formative assessment wherein supervision of the learner is required for a set time period. May cover a range of assessment methods including, but not limited to, written questions, oral questions, role play involvement and multiple choice questions |
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Remote Assessment |
An assessment conducted online using an internet connected device with access to webcam, microphone and uninterrupted connectivity, taken under controlled conditions |
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Invigilator |
The individual/s responsible for conducting and supervising the assessment or parts of an assessment. Invigilators must ensure all learners have an equal opportunity to complete the test to the best of their ability, ensure the security of the assessment before, during and afterwards, prevent possible learner transgression, and manage possible administrative issues. |
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Remote Invigilation |
The learner is supervised by a live invigilator in a separate physical location connected via a secure environment and webcam. Monitoring of the assessment, ID checks and technical support is undertaken by the remote invigilator. |
Supporting Learners with a Disability
Datalaw are aware of duties to disabled candidates in terms of acceptance for assessment, and the assessment process. Datalaw rely on learners to disclose the nature of any disability and where a disability is disclosed, Datalaw will work with the candidate with a view to arranging any reasonable adjustments that will ensure that they are fully able to participate in the assessment process. Please be aware that supporting medical evidence will be required before adjustments can be made; the evidence provided should refer to the nature of the condition and the recommendations as to its management during the accreditation process.
Identity Checks
Before an assessment can commence the learner must produce valid photographic ID to be checked by the remote invigilator or a remote assessment software. If photographic ID cannot be produced, the learner will not be permitted to take the assessment.
Provision of Assessment Scripts
Datalaw do not, under any circumstances, release exam scripts or assessment recordings. Assessments are used on a continual basis; an exam sat by a learner will still be in use and to release into the public domain would render the exam invalid. Completed exam scripts and recordings are securely stored for a period of 12 months.
Assessment Schedule
Datalaw endeavour to run all advertised examination dates, wherever possible. In the unlikely event of a cancellation, candidates will be notified in advance and offered alternative dates. Datalaw reserves the right to vary or cancel any examinations where the occasion necessitates. Datalaw accepts no liability if, for whatever reason, the examination does not take place.
Permitted/Authorised Materials
Learners must only utilise materials during the assessment which are permitted in accordance with the course guidance/regulations. Learners found to be accessing unauthorised material during the course of the examination will be removed from the assessment and reported to the relevant examining body.
Learner Conduct
The invigilator is present to supervise and ensure the security of the examination. The invigilator cannot provide feedback on any aspect of the performance of the learner during or following the assessment. For the duration of the assessment the learner is monitored and must adhere to the guidelines set out for their examination.
Role of the Remote Invigilator
The invigilator is responsible for conducting and supervising the assessment or parts of an assessment. The learner is supervised by a live invigilator in a separate physical location connected via a secure environment and webcam. The invigilator must ensure all learners have an equal opportunity to complete the test, ensure the security of the assessment before, during and afterwards, prevent possible learner transgression, have access to a device with secure connectivity, manage possible administrative issues, make an identification check on each learner, be present for the duration of the assessment, and record and retain scripts and recordings for a minimum of 12 months. In addition to an invigilator, some assessments will require the presence of an Assessor and/or Tutor.
The Assessor/Tutor must:
- Have verifiable relevant qualifications, experience and current knowledge of the occupational working area above the level they are assessing or verifying.
- Have an understanding of the assessment process.
- Be approved for assessing and/or tutoring by the relevant examining body.
- Have access to a device with secure connectivity.
Controlled Assessment Requirements – Learners must have an internet connected device, webcam, microphone and audio speakers.
Assessment Room
Learners must undertake assessments alone, in a room where they will not be disturbed. Learners are monitored via webcam and microphone throughout the examination and presence of any individual other than the learner will result in the assessment being terminated and invalidated. A space with adequate warmth, ventilation and lighting should be used if possible. Learners should not sit with a lamp behind them as it can make it difficult for the invigilator to see the learner’s face. Similarly, learners should not sit with their back to a window. The workspace and chair should be in a good state of repair to avoid distraction. If a learner has specific support needs that require a carer or other adult to be present, this should be requested in advance of the assessment. A scribe or reader may also be present in the assessment room if approved by the appropriate examining board. Learners must have a fully charged or power connected device with a sufficient resolution webcam in order to take an assessment. A reliable internet connection is required. Learners will be visible to an invigilator and should therefore be appropriately dressed and conduct themselves in a reasonable manner.
Before the assessment
Any questions regarding the examination should be dealt with in advance by contacting the relevant department of Datalaw. If a learner feels they will not be able to meet the controlled remote assessments requirements they must inform Datalaw before the assessment. Any learner that is found to not adhere to the controlled remote assessments requirements will be removed from the assessment. The link/s required for the assessment will be sent well in advance of the assessment date. It is the learner’s responsibility to access the link at the appropriate time. To ensure smooth running of the assessment, learners should use the bathroom before the start of the assessment, inform others in advance that they are taking an assessment so they are not disturbed, place an ‘Assessment in Progress’ sign outside the room if in a shared space, check equipment before the start of the exam, attach their device to a power source rather than relying on battery life, and have a drink of water to hand.
During the assessment
Learners must remain visible to the invigilator at all times. Learners should not contact/interact with the invigilator unless there is a problem with the assessment platform. For timed assessments, it is the learner’s responsibility to have a clock/watch visible.
Late Arrival
Learners should access the appropriate examination platform at the time assigned to them. Time for registration and ID checks will be taken into consideration. Learners who do not attend the examination or arrive later than instructed will not be permitted to undertake the assessment.
Assessments Taken on Mettl Software
Police Station assessments Written Exam and Critical Incidents Test will be conducted using Mettl. Mettl is an advanced online proctoring system which uses real time detection of learner movement, eye movements, screen navigation and audio and environmental changes. The Written Exam and Critical Incidents Test must be undertaken using a laptop/desktop with working webcam and microphone. The Mettl system is not supported on any type of tablet. Advanced facial recognition and ID software is used to verify learner ID. Screen navigation is monitored to ensure learners do not access materials/communicate with others during the assessment. Any navigation away from the examination screen is reported in real-time to the invigilator. Audio software records ambient noise during the assessment; any voices other than the learner detected during the assessment is reported to the invigilator. Exam responses are recorded and stored by the system and shared only with the assessment invigilator and relevant examining body. A system compatibility test is undertaken by the learner before the assessment date in order to ensure their device is compatible and their webcam and microphone enabled.
Written Exam
Please take a look at the Written Exam Tutorial before taking the assessment. The exam should ideally be taken using the Google Chrome browser. A compatibility test should be undertaken before the exam date. A link to access the test will be sent well in advance of the exam. This link must be used to connect to the exam on the confirmed date and time. An ID verification check will take place before the examination starts. Learners must have photo ID available to produce to the webcam before the test. There are 5 questions on the exam. Learners must answer 4 out of the 5 questions. These can be answered in any order and the answers should be numbered. If a fifth question is answered it will not be marked. Textbooks and materials that have not been annotated are permitted for use in the exam, this can include printed versions of books, sections of PACE etc. Personally prepared notes are not permitted. Any downloaded materials should be printed in advance as it will not be possible to navigate away from the test screen to access these. Navigating away from the test browser window during the test will result in a warning appearing on the screen and the invigilator will be notified. A total of four warnings can be issued before the assessment is terminated. Any software/notifications should be turned off as this can disrupt the assessment program, be read as cheating and will result in the assessment closing.
Critical Incidents Test
Please take a look at the CIT Tutorial before taking the assessment. The exam should ideally be taken using the Google Chrome browser. A compatibility test should be undertaken before the exam date. A link to access the test will be sent well in advance of the exam. This link must be used to connect to the exam on the confirmed date and time. An ID verification check will take place before the examination starts. Learners must have photo ID available to produce to the webcam before the test. There are 15 questions in the test. The first two questions are practice questions; they can be answered but do not have to be, they will not be assessed and are not related to the scenario in the rest of the assessment. The first assessed question is question 3. None of the questions can be repeated. The test is a role play assessment so questions must be answered as though speaking directly to the person in the scenario. There is a maximum of 5 minutes to answer each question. The marking matrix for the assessment has been amended to allow for this adjustment and it will be taken into account in the marking of the test. Important information should not be left out of answers; learners should undertake some practice responses before the assessment (such as asking disclosure/giving client advice) which are concise and to the point. For each question, there is an audio file to play on the left-hand side and a timer on the right-hand side. The timer on the right-hand side will show the ‘thinking time’. This is the time that it takes for the question to be played plus 30 seconds. The learner must start responding before the end of the thinking time. At the end of the thinking time, the system will automatically start recording. Use of mobile phones or any internet-connected device, other than the one used to take this test is prohibited. Notes, tablets (not connected to WiFi), books or printed materials are permitted. Any downloaded materials should be printed in advance as it will not be possible to navigate away from the test screen to access these. Navigating away from the test browser window during the test will result in a warning appearing on the screen and the invigilator will be notified. A total of four warnings can be issued before the assessment is terminated. Any software/notifications should be turned off as this can disrupt the assessment program, be read as cheating and will result in the assessment closing.
Additional Guidance for Macbook Users
To avoid technical issues occurring during the assessment, candidates using any Apple Macbook device to undertake the Written Exam or Critical Incidents Test should follow the steps below:
- Ensure the latest version of Google Chrome is used.
- Clear the cache and cookies of the browser.
- Open the assessment link in an incognito mode window.
- Disable the firewall/antivirus (if any) on the device.
- Use a stable network where website restrictions may not be enabled.