Test Center Network Information

About Surpass Assessment

Established in 1985, Surpass Assessment is a world leader in the provision of digital assessment technology and services for secure, high-stakes assessments. With 40 years in the industry, we work closely with our customers and the Surpass Community to achieve our mission of improving the assessment experience for everyone, and enabling all learners to achieve their full educational potential.

The Surpass Platform is an award-winning, market-leading assessment software that lets you efficiently create and validate tests for secure delivery across multiple platforms. Surpass powers the development and delivery of tests for credentialing and licensure organizations, universities and government bodies across the world with millions of high-stakes tests being delivered through Surpass each year. This is strengthening the workforce and giving credit to the candidate’s effort in acquiring knowledge and learning.

We also provide a global test center network for session-based and on-demand testing, as well as secure online proctoring solutions, to give organizations the flexibility they need to expand their candidate reach.

Find out more by visiting our website www.surpass.com and following us on LinkedIn.

About the Test Center Network

The Surpass Test Center Network is made up of hundreds of audited, Surpass-ready centers worldwide. As the Surpass test driver can conveniently be installed on any computer, we utilize both independent and vendor-grouped centers to provide the highest-quality venues, with flexible capacity to suit both clients and candidates. 

Credentialing and licensure organizations are increasingly turning to the Surpass Test Center Network for the peace of mind that their learners can sit critical tests in a fully equipped, comfortable, secure and stress-free environment. 

Tests Delivered

Our customers require the delivery of different types of assessments using a range of delivery software, including the Surpass test driver. Full induction and training is provided for all delivery methods, ensuring our network is adept at delivering a range of both delivery and proctoring processes. 

We provide session-based tests, on-demand tests, and a hybrid of both; providing flexibility for our clients and a variety of opportunities for our centers.

Test Center Requirements

All new test centers are audited to ensure that standards meet with Surpass regulation requirements.

As part of the auditing process, a fully complete and verified application is required from every testing center to allow us to confirm technical requirements are met, but also to generate a center profile visible to our customers and candidates. This documentation will vary depending on whether the center is certified.

Availability and Staffing

Surpass will communicate with the center to determine availability based on the client’s needs.

Proctor availability: Staffing must cover the proctoring requirements (minimum proctor ratio detailed below), with additional staff available to support breaks and/or staff illness. 

Contingency: Centers must have contingency plans in place for staff illness along with contingency PCs for any technical issues on exam day.

Local Area

Directions and Signage: The test center should be in a well-signposted and easy-to-find location. Surpass must be informed of any specific instructions to support candidates’ arrival and entrance to the center. Appropriate notices should be displayed on the entrance to the center.

Noise: The center should be located in a quiet area, with measures in place to minimize any potential disturbances from the surrounding area.

Transportation and Parking: Candidates should have sufficient access to parking and/or public transportation.

Accessibility: It is required that access to the building and workstations support test takers with disabilities.

Waiting Area

On arrival and registration, candidates should have access to a waiting area with adequate seating and storage. Access to a bathroom and drinking water is preferred.

A private area for the Test Administrator should be available for checking candidates’ details on a one-to-one basis if required. 

Personal Belongings

Lockers, personal secure storage or other secure facilities must be made available to the candidates for the storage of personal belongings such as purses/wallets and cell phones. Coat hooks and shelving must be provided for outerwear and any larger items in a secure area. It is preferred that these are not stored within the testing room.

Candidates cannot take any of the following items into the testing room unless stated in the client requirements: 

• Electronic devices (phones, music players, computers, tablets or any smart device).
• Books, paper or notes unless specified in the proctoring guide. 

If required, details of where candidates belongings will be and how they are supervized may need to be sent in writing to Surpass for approval.

Testing Room

Environment: The testing room needs to be a professional workspace that is clean, comfortable and smoke-free. The room and center should have heating and air conditioning to control the temperature during tests. Temperature should always remain between 68-75 F.

Noise: The testing room should be in a noise-free environment with no disturbance from local traffic, outside noise, or movement within the building. It is important to protect doors and office furniture from squeaks and banging. Low-noise hardware and peripherals should be used where possible. Ear plugs or noise cancelling headphones must be available to candidates upon request.

Layout: There is no specifically defined layout requirement of the room as there will be a number of solutions to organizing workstations within the space available. There is more information below on workstation requirements.

Spare PC availability: 10% of PCs must be spare and available as contingency for all tests. 

Signage: Close to the testing room, notices must be placed which state ‘Quiet, Examination in Progress’. Test specific notices are also provided to test centers prior to tests taking place and must be displayed appropriately.  

Workstations

Candidate workstations must have the following requirements: 

• Clean furniture that is free from any objects not related to testing.
• A single screen with a separate keyboard and mouse. More information on the technical specifications of candidate PCs is below.
• Comfortable chairs suitable for the longest test duration – ergonomic chairs are preferred. 
• No direct sunlight or screen glare.
• Sufficient space behind desks to allow for unimpeded passing of candidates.
• A minimum desk space per candidate of 24″ (60cm) deep and 36″ (90cm) wide.
• The distance between the screens must be isolated by a minimum space of 48″ (125cm) measured from the nearest outer edge of one screen to the next (this does not apply if the monitors are positioned back-to-back). If the space is less than 48″ (125cm), workstations should be separated by dividers or protected by privacy screens. The principal objective is to ensure that the candidate’s work cannot be overseen by others. Exam officers must take appropriate steps to ensure that this can be achieved. 
• Where partitions are used, they should ensure no visibility of the adjacent screens when a candidate is seated at the workstation, and permit the proctors clear unobstructed observation of a candidate and their hands.

Technical Requirements

The following items are predominantly related to the minimum requirements for the Surpass test driver software, however we have also included requirements for other delivery software used within the test center network (subject to change). 

Proctoring

Role requirements: During the testing period, the proctor(s) must be free of distraction and must be focused on the activity. The proctor(s) will ensure exam conditions are upheld in the exam room from the moment candidates enter and take reasonable steps to ensure the integrity of the exam is maintained in all instances. Proctors may use line of sight to view candidates or a video monitoring system. The arrangement of workstations and the position of the proctor’s desk should facilitate detection of any unauthorized activity by candidates, for example communication with others or use of unauthorized reference material.

Proctor-to-candidate ratio: An exam must have one proctor per 20 candidates, with at least one proctor present in the room at all times. 

Training and certification: All proctors will be provided with training and must have passed the Surpass Proctor Certification exam within the past year.

Exam-specific guides: Proctors are required to thoroughly review and implement the client-specific guides and preparatory materials to ensure effective exam administration. Their responsibilities include meticulous preparation, strict adherence to exam protocols, and the delivery of a secure and standardized testing environment for all candidates.

Recordings: Testing centers with CCTV should record all testing activities and maintain those recordings for up to 30 days. The testing center must be able to provide Surpass with recordings of the testing center within 3 business days of a request.

Reports: Proctors will be given access to an online portal to submit documentation following an exam.

Incidents: Every effort must be made to ensure candidates are able to complete their exam on the given day with full communication required with Surpass on any issues. Resolution of any major incident must be in conjunction with Surpass and a major incident report must be completed.  

Health and Safety

The testing center should comply with all local health and safety rules and carry adequate insurance as detailed in the testing agreement. Upon request, the testing center shall produce adequate proof and assurance of such coverage to Surpass during the term of the agreement.

Confidentiality and Data

Data security: Centers will keep confidential all personal information, whether that be contacts, proctors or candidates. Centers will not share any information given to them by Surpass with candidates unless with the express approval from Surpass.  

Retention of paper: Centers will store any paper that a candidate may have used during their exam for 2 weeks in a secure place, before destroying it in a confidential manner.

CCTV: Testing centers should record CCTV of all testing activities and maintain those recordings for up to 30 days. The testing center must be able to provide Surpass with recordings of the testing center within 3 business days of a request.

Conflicts of interest: Any conflicts of interest for members of staff at centers must be reported to Surpass. 

Ongoing Requirements

• Technical tests are required to be completed by centers every 6 months (or on request prior to specific customer test sessions) to verify compatibility.
• Proctors must complete the Surpass Proctor Certification exam every year.
• Follow-up center audits are scheduled every 3 years to ensure standards continue to be met.
• On-the-spot checks may be undertaken across the network on exam days, and ad hoc visits may be scheduled depending on performance or training requirements.
• Any changes to your center facilities must be notified to Surpass to allow us to confirm technical requirements are still met. We will then update your audit document and center profile, which is visible to customers and candidates.

Training, Resources, and Support

As part of the test center network we will provide you with:

• Comprehensive training of the Surpass Platform and relevant test delivery software.
• A clear understanding of the booking process for each customer and what is expected for each exam.
• Access to the Surpass Test Delivery Services Portal, a one-stop shop hosting all relevant proctoring information per customer, alongside reporting and testing resources.
• Technical and operational support should be available onsite throughout the test(s) in case of hardware/software problems. Surpass also provide technical support in the lead-up to and during our exams when using Surpass software, through our dedicated service desk.
• Consistent communication and promotion of best practice. 

Contact Details

Surpass Test Center Network operational support:
TCNsupport@surpass.com