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On the topic of cheating again – concerns of cheating WERE ALREADY raised by multiple people when CBT was first announced, and the response at that time was that the “CAS has very high ethical standards for our candidates”, and that “candidates sign something saying they won’t cheat”. I don’t agree that this response was/is enough. I think a majority would be tempted to cheat if it were made easy enough, and the CAS’s job is to take any reasonable steps needed to minimize that temptation. If they want ideas, lots of good ones have already been suggested by candidates, they only need to ask…
There seems to be some disagreement at to “how bad” this last sitting was, and “how bad” leadership was, but that’s largely personal opinion and misses the point. Even if you think this last sitting was great, will you admit that in theory someone making exam decisions could really mess something up, and we, the candidates, have minimal protection against that? Given that something goes wrong, then what can we even do about it?
I partly agree with each of you. There are a lot of components to talk about, but here’s how I see it:
Overall solution CAS leaders implemented under difficult circumstances – 3 out of 5 (Low score due to an inflexible process that only works for a majority of candidates. One or two people’s good experience doesn’t equal a success here. The fairness of every single person’s exam matters. Score would have been lower, but giving leadership some credit for the unique challenges faced.)
Transparency of decisions to exam candidates – 2 out of 5
Making decisions based on doing the right thing – 1 out of 5 (Decisions were largely made based on what “looks good” in front of the public, and therefore decisions were very reactionary. Even the “right” decision can have corrupt motives.)Bottom line for me – I agree with the OP. Replace CAS leadership for failing to recognize how important exams are to people’s careers. This exam sitting was mediocre. Other organizations might find this acceptable, but we are the CAS! Our exam process has existed for many, many years, and needs to uphold the highest of standards. Candidates having a terrible experience even 10% of the time is unacceptable.
Next sitting, it might be you.
