Chris Wallwork of MCS says ìIím pleased to announce that MCS is now affiliated to the BTPA. MCS has made great strides over the past 12 months, and is now in a position where being a member of an organisation such as the BTPA will only help to further enhance the reputation of MCS whilst, we hope, enabling us to learn, and impart knowledge with existing BTPA members.
The BTPA was formed in a small group of publishers met informally to discuss how they could contribute to the continuous improvement of published tests and the way they were used. Faced with the:
* growth in internet testing
* increased use of tests for sifting, selection and development
* growing public interest in testing, fuelled by TV programmes and newspaper and magazine articles
* increase in international testing, driven by multinational corporates and consultancies
* major initiatives on test training, adaptation and reviewing by bodies such as the British Psychological Society and International Test Commission
An organisation was created that would represent test publishers and create easier co-operation with scientific and professional bodies such as the British Psychological Society and the CIPD.
What the BTPA does
The BTPA works with assessment users, and professional and scientific bodies to consistently improve the quality of published assessments, the professionalism of their use and the understanding of their benefits and limitations. We:
* advise and complement scientific, legal and professional bodies on major initiatives relating to the selection, development, training and management of people in organisations.
* encourage members to improve the quality of their products and services and to adhere to our scientific, professional and ethical standards.
* offer unbiased information on the practical, day-to-day issues experienced by test users
* offer advice to test takers to ensure tests are fair and accurate in the decisions taken about them, and that they receive feedback on test results to help in their self-development
* develop and communicate a range of good practice guidelines in new areas of organisational assessment and development.
* raise public and media understanding of this area.
* help to create a responsible, vigorous and successful industry serving the needs of HR and training professionals.
* In particular, to act as a discussion forum and information source representing the variety of approaches to testing which we feel is one of the strengths of our industry
While the Association is primarily focused on the UK, it has numerous links with organisations throughout the world including the US Association of Test Publishers and the International Test Commission and draws on best practice internationally.
Contact ñ Chris Wallwork (MCS Business Manager) on chris.wallwork@crisp-mcs.com
MCS has joined the British Test Publishers Association (BTPA)
.
