Dan Eyob is GMAC’s director of GMAT test security and his interview with the GMAC corporate newsletter is a tight exposition of the proper way to think about security, starting with a firm understanding of what it is you're trying to secure. In GMAC's case, it's integrity — integrity of the test itself and integrity of the test's ability to predict a certain type of academic success.
ID management, as it is for all credentialing organizations, is a big part of ensuring the integrity of the GMAT.
Q: What does GMAC do at test centers to prevent cheating?See also: New York: Seven Arrested For Alleged SAT Cheating Ring UPDATE: SAT, Biometrics & ROI
A: We have a strict check-in protocol at all test centers and apply state-of-the-art technologies to support this protocol.
♦ Each test taker has to bring a valid government-issued photo ID with them. Passports may be checked electronically to ensure that they are not forged.
♦ Test takers must sit for a digital photograph, which may be included in the Official Score Report if requested by the school. All test takers have to provide a palm vein scan before entering or leaving the testing room. The palm vein reader makes an encrypted, digital record of each test taker’s unique palm vein pattern.
♦ Test takers must provide a digital signature agreeing that they have not accessed test content and will not divulge it to anyone else.
♦ Test takers are not allowed to take anything with them into the testing room, including electronic devices such as mobile phones, calculators, or watches. Erasable noteboards and markers are provided by a test proctor and must be returned after the test.
♦ Test administration is monitored in person by a test proctor and is videotaped for subsequent review, if necessary.
and Privacy commissioner seeks to block finger-printing of Canadian med-school applicants
The med-school post gets at some issues of ID management, standardized tests and public safety that aren't as readily apparent in the business school case.
The other questions answered by Mr. Eyob at GMAC's site are:
What is GMAC’s philosophy on GMAT security?
What investments does GMAC make in security?
What does GMAC do when it discovers evidence of cheating?
What is GMAC doing to keep a step ahead of cheaters?
h/t Stacy Blackman and U.S. News & World Report
