ACAT Examination Policies

Rescheduling & Cancellation

Please note that rescheduling refers to a process that occurs once you have scheduled a testing date and subsequently wish to change or amend the date, time or location of your scheduled exam within the current testing window. You may reschedule a testing appointment up to two (2) days in advance of your testing appointment. Reschedule requests are not accepted within two (2) days of your scheduled testing appointment.

A $50 non-refundable fee will apply to all rescheduled exams; the fee must be paid at the time of the request or it will be charged to your account and must be paid prior to any other actions taken.

Special Accommodations

ACAT complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for candidates, and requests that the Scantron testing centers and authorized Capstone facilities provide reasonable accommodations for candidates with a disability covered by this Act. Candidates requiring special accommodations must contact the ACAT before scheduling their examination. Please be aware that arrangements for special accommodations may take up to 30 days to coordinate. Requests for accommodations are reviewed by the Vice President to ensure the request can be processed without jeopardizing the integrity or security of the examination. The Vice President, or staff designee, will communicate with the candidate to ensure all processes and procedures are explained and that a testing appointment is scheduled to accommodate their needs accordingly.

Candidates must indicate their special accommodations request on the ACAT Registration Form.

Passing the ACAT Examination

The ACAT Board of Directors has set 70 as the minimum satisfactory level for the Comprehensive Examination (ABA), ATP and ATA exams. Individuals must score 70 or higher on each section of the exam in order to pass the ABA exam.

Exam Retakes

If you do not pass your ACAT exam, you may be eligible to retake the exam. You must register for the exam you wish to retake.

In the case of the ABA exam, individuals who do not pass the full exam, but who score at least 70 on either Practice 1 or Practice 2 are considered to have “conditioned” that section of the Comprehensive Examination. Conditioning allows the candidate to successfully complete the exam by re-taking the part not previously passed. Candidates have 18 months from the date of conditioning to pass (by obtaining a second score of at least 70). After that, the condition is void. You must register for the part of the exam you wish to retake and pay the exam fee.

Examination Appeals

Complaints or appeals may be submitted in writing prior to the examination and up to thirty (30) days after examination administration. Written appeals must be submitted with supporting documentation or evidence to the ACAT Vice President.

The burden of proof is borne by the applicant. The decision of the Board is final. Complaints or appeals are not considered after the thirty (30) days have expired. Because of the thorough review and analysis of each question during the examination construction procedures, there are no appeal procedures to challenge individual examination questions or answers. Because of the secure nature of these examinations, ACAT will not disclose examination questions. Candidates’ responses to particular test questions (correct or not correct) will not be disclosed.

Confidentiality

ACAT is committed to protecting confidential information related to applicants, candidates, and certificants. Confidential materials include, but are not limited to: an individual’s application, application status, personal applicant /certificant information, exam items and answers, exam forms, and individual exam scores.

Personal information about a candidate/certificant will only be released to that candidate/certificant if release of the information is authorized in writing by the individual or is required by law. Personal information submitted by applicant /certificants with an application or renewal application is considered confidential. Personal information retained within the applicant/certificant database will be kept confidential.

Examination scores are released only to the examination candidate unless a signed release is provided in writing by the individual or is required by law.

Release of Information

The names of certified individuals are not considered confidential and may be published by the ACAT.

Aggregate examination statistics (including the number of examination candidates, pass/fail rates, and total number of certificants) are made available on the ACAT website. Aggregate examination statistics, studies and reports concerning applicants/certificants do not contain information that could personally identify any applicant/certificant.

Record Retention

ACAT retains all examination forms, examination development documents, examination results, examination items, active examination application information, and active applicant/candidate/certificants data indefinitely.

Non-Discrimination Policy

ACAT does not discriminate against any candidate for certification on the basis of race, color, creed, age, gender, national origin, religion, disability, marital status, parental status, ancestry, sexual orientation, military discharge status or source of income, or any other status protected by law. All candidates for certification will be judged solely on the criteria determined by the ACAT Board of Directors.