The LanguageCert difference: reliability, innovation & security in English language certifications

Published 29/10/2021

LanguageCert has been providing candidates with the opportunity to take high-stakes exams online and securely since 2019. LanguageCert has transformed the exam-taking experience, making it secure, accessible, and tailored to the needs of individual candidates. This is the LanguageCert difference.

Instant or on demand delivery is fast becoming the norm across all industries, institutions, and service providers. This concept is connected to technology that needs to be not only is fast, flexible, and reliable, but importantly secure and credible. And it is no different for the English language examination world.

Test takers now expect a combination of the above standards, mixed with the validity and quality standards applied in traditional class room and/ or paper based exams.

LanguageCert first marketed online exams with live proctoring in 2019, offering candidates the opportunity to take their English language exams from an appropriate location of their choice, anytime, with a live trained proctor.

Since its launch, LanguageCert has focused on constantly improving a candidates’ online exam experience, all the while ensuring that candidate exam performance online remains identical to their performance if they sat their exam in a more traditional environment.

What sets LanguageCert apart, is that the same team of top experts prepare each type of our exams, be it paper-based, computer-based, or online proctored. Each exam format contains similar content and structure, regardless of the delivery method.

“Each exam format contains similar content and structure, regardless of the delivery method”

The exam experience, technology and methodology are consistently reviewed and upgraded to ensure that candidates have the greatest online exam experience possible.

LanguageCert’s parent company, PeopleCert, designed and implemented this online proctoring solution in 2013, testing it on many thousands of candidates worldwide. This proprietary, cutting-edge software guides candidates through the exam process, making sure that their experience is comfortable and stress-free while maintaining the highest security standards.

Candidates are identified by an online invigilator through a secure ID process and are monitored unobtrusively throughout, to ensure that the testing environment meets PeopleCert/ LanguageCert’s security standards.

All candidates install ExamShield, PeopleCert’s award-winning security software, that locks down their device and ensures that strict security is in place throughout.

Simultaneously, a series of compatibility checks make sure that all necessary device functions, such as microphone, sound, and camera, are working correctly.

Once connected online to a trained proctor, further ID checks take place and candidates are asked to perform a 360-degree webcam rotation of the room they are in to ensure no inappropriate material is present.

Any issues identified are addressed before the exam can proceed. The online invigilator is always available to support candidates if needed.

This is another obvious difference and advantage. The online proctors are employed by PeopleCert, and are carefully selected and trained to provide secure, responsive, and appropriate live online proctoring service.

LanguageCert conducted a study earlier this year to see what previous test takers had to say after taking our Online proctored exams. Survey responses revealed that candidates felt their experiences offered them a “more personalised, as well as a more efficient way of taking a test”.

Overall, answers to the survey were positive, showing a clear preference for LanguageCert online proctored exams as an alternative to traditional exam setting.

“You offer candidates opportunity to take an internationally recognised, Ofqual regulated high-stakes English language exams when we want, where we want” said a test taker.

The booking system is flexible and tailored to a candidate’s personal schedule, while the whole process is simple, secure, and reliable with results available in just three working days.

Successful candidates are awarded an e-certificate, hard-copy certificate, and digital badge. The whole approach is designed to make taking LanguageCert exams as accessible and friendly as possible while maintaining security and offering international recognition.

For more information visit our website.

About the author:

This is a sponsored post by Michael Milanovic, chairman of LanguageCert and a member of its Advisory Council. Michael has worked in English Language learning and assessment for many years and in several countries. He joined Cambridge English Language Assessment in 1989 first as director of research and evaluation and then CEO. He co-founded ALTE in 1990 and acted as its manager for nearly 25 years. He worked closely with the Council of Europe on its CEFR and with the European Commission on numerous projects. Since 2015, he has worked extensively with PeopleCert.

The post The LanguageCert difference: reliability, innovation & security in English language certifications appeared first on The PIE News.