Security of the CAA International EALTS

The security of all aspects of the CAAi EALTS, from test development and item writing to the publication and storage of EALTS test results, is of utmost importance. Every aspect of test construction, administration, logistics, marking, rating, test analysis and communication with stakeholders includes procedures to ensure the integrity of the tests and the testing system. CAA International and Central EALTS Administration do not make public details of this aspect of their operations, but the following is an outline of some of the safeguards established. 1

Administrators and examiners 2

  • Local EALTS Test Centres, administrators and examiners are provided with and required to follow a detailed Handbook of Procedures, specifying in full all elements of the administration of the EALTS as it pertains to them and their individual and collective responsibilities. Local Test Centres are routinely monitored for their adherence to the procedures contained in the Handbook. Failure to comply with the procedures risks the loss of Test Centre accreditation.
  • The multiple live and remote assessment system of the CAAi EALT renders the corruption of individual examiners to be of little or no effect in the awarding of a final rating.
  • To combat identity fraud, photographic evidence of a candidate’s identity must be provided upon submission of the application form and that identity confirmed at all stages of test administration: upon applying for the EALTS, when the candidate registers at the start of the each test component and at any time after enrolment when the candidate may wish to make enquiries concerning any aspect of test administration or personal data held.

Test materials 3

  • Central EALTS Administration holds all test items in confidence. Test items are neither published nor provided to test-takers prior to the test event.
  • The EALTS places multiple items in item pools reducing the possibility of collusion and of items become known or predicted.
  • The EALTS ensures that there are an adequate number of test items and versions to meet the needs of the candidate populations with respect to its size and diversity.
  • The EALT Test of Listening is delivered over a secure server delivery system.
  • The CAAi EALTS delivery formats and platforms ensure that no two candidates will ever be presented with the same test and that no single candidate will ever be presented with the same test twice. Each candidate’s test is unique.

Databases

  • The CAAi EALTS is administered and the databases protected within a secure administration and data storage system.
  • Paper copies of test results exist alongside computer-stored data.

Certification

  • The issuing of the CAAi EALT Test Report is centralised and strictly controlled.
  • The CAAi EALTS Test Reports are produced on security-enhanced paper and are authenticated by a validation stamp and the signatures of authorised representatives of CAAi Central EALTS Administration.
  • An image of the test-taker is reproduced on every CAAi EALTS Test Report.

Verification

  • Central EALTS Administration is able to verify results on request.
  • CAA International and Central EALTS Administration reserve the right to cancel any test report in the event of any actual or suspected attempt to tamper with or misuse the information contained therein.

1 For discussion of general issues c.f. ICAO Cir 318-AN/180 Ch.2 Section 4 Test Administration and Security A documented policy for all aspects of test security is available to clients.

2 c.f. ICAO Cir 318-AN/180 Ch.2 Sections 4-6

3 c.f. ICAO Cir 318-AN/180 Ch.2 Section 4 Test Administration and Security