RETA Breeze Jul-Aug 2022

on content areas where they need to improve to pass. RETA provides such reviews upon request. As shown above, it is not necessary to score above 70% in every content area to pass with a total score of at least 70%. Another factor for many failing candidates may be not reading everything carefully before answering each question. All RETA test questions include one BEST answer and three incorrect answers based on the judgement of CertComm, whose members average over 18 years of industrial refrigeration experience. Incorrect answers in RETA exams may seem plausible to candidates who fail to read the question and all the answers carefully, do not fully understand a question, or make common Many failing candidates also finish in much less than the three hours RETA allows for each full exam. There is no bonus for finishing early, but candidates who do not read each question and answer carefully risk choosing enough wrong answers to earn a failing total score. errors in using information about refrigeration system operations.

RETA strives to give every candidate the information to earn these credentials, but each candidate needs to use the onscreen references effectively, know when and how to use them, and demonstrate mastery of topics in each test to pass a RETA examination.

RETA score reports offer additional support for candidates who fail by telling them how they performed in each content area. The sample report below shows results for a candidate with a total score of 69% on the first attempt, then passed with a total score of 81% on a second exam. The minimum passing score is 70%. Content area and total scores below 70% in this sample table are shown in boldface italics and highlighted. This candidate’s initial total score of 69% was caused by scores in the low 60s in four of eight CIRO content areas. Ineffective use of CIRO references may have contributed to low scores in Safety, Electricity, Monitoring System Performance and Two-Stage and Secondary Coolant Systems. Improvement in each of these content areas helped the candidate pass on the second attempt. Content area and total scores are provided for each RETA candidate on every test. Some candidates also receive reviews of their performance across several attempts from RETA to help them focus their efforts

We welcome your questions about RETA’s credentialing exams and activities. Send your questions by email to certification@reta.com.

Dr. Ron Rodgers, RETA’s Psychometrician (testing expert) and Accreditation Manager, has guided development of all RETA credentialing exams since 2002. RETA Testing Corner provides information and answers questions from RETA members, candidates and others to help them earn and benefit from RETA credentials.

28 RETA.com