Connection
The move to online proctoring NCARB adapts the ARE to pandemic conditions by embracing technology Jared N. Zurn, AIA, NCARB Vice President, Examination Zurn joined NCARB in 2008 as assistant director of Architect Registration Examination® (ARE®) development. As a licensed architect, he’s actively involved with all aspects of the examination including development, operations, security, and implementation of ARE 5.0. Promoted to vice president in 2013, Zurn is an advocate for transparency into the examination with a focus on refining the efficiency of the process while maintaining high standards and measurement quality. Before joining NCARB, Zurn ran a sole architectural practice in northwest Minnesota. He also served as faculty of the architectural technology program and division chair at Minnesota State Community and Technical College, where he led the architectural technology program in the areas of curriculum development, course assessment, and program outcome assessment. Zurn earned his professional degree from North Dakota State University.
Many of us have experienced drastic shifts in our lives over the past year. Testing with the ARE (Architect Registration Examination) has been no different. Testing candidates have been experiencing cancellations on their exams at an unprecedented rate as testing centers scramble to abide by local and federal guidelines on social distancing and slowing the spread of COVID-19. As the pandemic continues to haunt our everyday lives, companies have been looking for innovative ways to continue “business as usual” through the work from home model. This type of practice has given NCARB the push necessary to implement online proctoring, allowing testing candidates to test from the safety of their homes or offices without having to step foot in a testing center. The changes implemented in online proctoring have raised several concerns among testing candidates. For this issue, I interview Jared Zurn, Vice President of Examination at NCARB to help provide all licensure candidates with more insight into online proctoring and its effect on the ARE.
14
Evan Berger (EB): How long has NCARB been evaluating this testing alternative and why is now the right time to launch? Jared Zurn (JZ): While the current pandemic moved up NCARB’s timeline to release an online proctored version of the ARE, this change has been under consideration for about seven years. As a regulatory organization, NCARB works to ensure that licensing boards have full confidence in the security of our exam. Given the unprecedented nature of COVID-19, the number of candidates who have been (and may continue to be) affected by test center closures and state protocols, and our responsibility to continue delivering a fair and accessible licensing exam, we were prompted to move up the planned evolution to an online delivery option. The addition of an online proctoring option, while still delivering in the Prometric test center network, will provide candidates with greater flexibility to test anywhere. As NCARB looks to