STANDARD SETTING and CUT SCORE
The passing score for the Art Therapy Credentials Board Examination (ATCBE) candidates is determined using the modified Angoff standard-setting method. This approach necessitates that Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) assess each question on the initial test form based on a new content outline to establish the passing score (cut score) for a Minimally Qualified Candidate. The most recent standard-setting occurred following the implementation of the 2017 job analysis content outline. A new standard setting will take place in early 2025 to establish the cut score for the exams that year, coinciding with the introduction of the new content outline.
The passing/cut score obtained through standard-setting on the first test form is applied to other ATCBE test forms through statistical equating. Statistical equating adjusts the passing score up or down by accounting for the overall difficulty of each test form. Therefore, statistical equating ensures fairness to all candidates by associating the cut score on a test form with the overall difficulty level of the items on it. With this standard procedure for determining successful candidates on ATCBE, the passing scores will vary slightly for each ATCBE test form. The cut score for each exam form is unique to that exam. Thus, a candidate’s score on a previous exam does not count toward the cut score on a subsequent exam.
Each version of the ATCBE tests the same domains of art therapy practice. However, each exam form contains a different set of test items (questions), meaning that one or more questions on one form may vary in difficulty from the questions appearing on another. The raw score of the ATCBE represents the number of correct test questions out of the possible test questions. Even though the examination consists of 200 questions, the score is based on 170 questions. Thirty questions are “pretest” questions. Pretest questions are included in each examination to obtain statistical information for possible use in future examinations. Pretest questions did not affect exam cut scores.
The ATCBE is recruiting Subject Matter Experts to complete the standard setting for the new content outline. This is critical work that must be completed in February 2025. Learn more on how to become a SME for standard setting.