IBM are getting tough!

[MFGF]

It looks like IBM are now getting serious about people who cheat on the certification tests. They have introduced a new check for Non-Independent Test Taking, and it looks like they plan to use this retrospectively based on past test answers. My guess is it uses statistical modelling to view the spread of incorrect answers and suggests the propensity of potential cheating. Anyone found to have been using exam dumps (for example) will have their certification revoked and will be banned from re-sitting for six months.

Details are here:

http://www-03.ibm.com/certify/nitt.shtml

As we've been advocating all along - don't cheat on your certification exams! :)

MF.

[cognostechie]

Awesome !  I just wonder what mechanism they built to detect it, not because I have doubts on them but because I would like to know that for my own knowledge. 

[MFGF]

Awesome !  I just wonder what mechanism they built to detect it, not because I have doubts on them but because I would like to know that for my own knowledge.

My guess is it's a predictive model. I saw one once that was used to detect expense claim fraud - apparently there's a curve the claim values generally adhere to, and any that are way off the curve are scrutinised closely. It wouldn't be a big stretch to adapt it to figure out a curve for certification test answers I imagine. All this is pure conjecture on my part - so could be entirely and utterly incorrect. :)

MF.

[cognostechie]

That could be it. Another thing that comes to mind is that the exams are prometric so if the system rings a bell for someone then it is possible to replay the video recording and watch the reaction of the candidate (eyes etc) when the candidate faces the question. 

[bdbits]

So maybe IBM is using analytics to screen analytics certifications? Maybe it's just me but that is rather amusing.  8)

Anything to get rid of cheaters is a good move in my book.

[cognostechie]

So maybe IBM is using analytics to screen analytics certifications? Maybe it's just me but that is rather amusing.  8)

Yeah, using analytics to analyze analysts !!          It even rhymes !  I became a poet  :)

[MFGF]

I think IBM might term it "Eating their own dogfood"? :)

Oh, wait. That doesn't rhyme. Unless I'm a poet and I don't know it? ;)

MF.