The Smarter Assessment Podcast

Assessment Systems

The Smarter Assessment Podcast is dedicated to modern technology in the world of Psychometrics, like AI, machine learning, remote proctoring, and item response theory. Learn how these advancements make tests smarter and more accurate in fields across Education, Credentialing, and Workforce Skills. Assessment is a critical aspect of EdTech, HRTech, Medicine, and more - but often does not get the attention that it deserves!

  1. FEB 2

    E13: Novel Item Types in Assessment: A Guide to Design and Development

    Traditional items like multiple choice, essay, and short answer can only measure so much. Today’s candidates—and the roles they’re preparing for—demand more authentic, skills-based assessment. In this live webinar, a leading certification exam development expert will explore how novel item types such as simulations, performance-based tasks, and interactive scenarios can dramatically improve the validity, fidelity, and defensibility of your exams. You’ll learn when and why to move beyond traditional items, how simulations and performance assessments can better reflect real-world job tasks, and what practical considerations matter most when designing and scoring these item types. The session will also address common challenges—such as cost, scalability, and psychometric rigor—and share proven strategies to overcome them. Whether you manage high-stakes exam programs, design assessments, are a subject matter expert, or are exploring ways to modernize your exams, this webinar will provide actionable insights you can apply immediately. Join us to see how innovative item types can elevate candidate experience, strengthen stakeholder confidence, and improve the validity of your assessments. Sign up for a free account in our industry-leading assessment authoring and delivery platform, FastTest: https://assess.com/fasttest/ABOUT THE PRESENTER Belinda Brunner has over twenty years of experience in high-stakes assessment, both in the US and internationally. She has worked with assessment programs in a wide range of industry sectors, from construction to healthcare to higher education admissions. She is a co-author of the “Technology-Enhanced Items” chapter of the International Testing Commission/Association of Test Publishers’ Guidelines for Technology-Based Assessment (2023).

    52 min
  2. 07/17/2025

    E10: Protecting Test Integrity, with Kranthi Bathula of Proctor360

    The integrity and security of assessment is essential, both to protect the investment you made in your exams, as well as to trust the scores that are the result. Remote proctoring, aka online or virtual proctoring, is a cost-effective yet high-quality way to provide this safeguard. Of course, the effectiveness can be improved by following some best practices! Join us for a conversation on this topic with Kranthi Bathula, CTO and Co-Founder of Proctor360. Proctor360 is a leading remote proctoring company that's transforming how educational institutions and credentialing/employment organizations conduct secure online assessments. In this webinar, we discuss some of those best practices, but also the exciting journey of building a SaaS company in the EdTech industry. Key points include: Kranthi’s journey in the assessment world Building a Saas platform with an international team How to effectively implement remote proctoring while balancing important considerations like accessibility and student experience Common ways that students cheat, and how to deter or catch them Target Audience: Educational administrators and instructors Certification managers HR professionals that oversee remote assessments EdTech enthusiasts and entrepreneurs Anyone interested in the future of secure online testing About This Episode's Guest : Kranthi Bathula is the Co-Founder and CTO of Proctor360, an EdTech company specializing in secure online proctoring for high-stakes exams. With an extensive background in engineering, he leads the design of multi-camera and AI-enabled solutions that help institutions uphold exam integrity in remote environments.

    35 min
  3. 07/17/2025

    E9: Market and Grow your Credentialing Program, with Amanda Crowley of ACMC

    A credentialing exam is a product that needs to be marketed and sold, as is the case for ancillary products like practice tests or study guides, but most credentialing organizations need some help! In this webinar, discover why many credentialing organizations are leaving money on the table with outdated marketing approaches and learn the game-changing strategies that industry leaders use to drive stronger growth. Industry expert Amanda Crowley discusses how to revolutionize your candidate communications, develop a results-driven marketing plan, and master social media engagement to build a thriving certification community. We will discuss a mindset shift that separates successful organizations from struggling ones: treating your certification as the valuable product it truly is, complete with strategic positioning, targeted messaging, and customer-centric marketing. Don't let your credentialing program get lost in the noise; join us to learn proven tactics for increasing enrollment, boosting candidate satisfaction, and establishing your certification as the gold standard in your industry. Walk away with actionable strategies you can implement immediately to transform your organization's growth trajectory, increase ROI, and better serve your profession. This Episode's Guest: Amanda Crowley Amanda is one of the key marketing experts in the assessment industry, including serving as Director of Marketing for ITS. She recently launched her own consultancy (http://www.helloacmc.com/) and is available for engagements to help grow your credentialing and assessment programs.

    58 min

About

The Smarter Assessment Podcast is dedicated to modern technology in the world of Psychometrics, like AI, machine learning, remote proctoring, and item response theory. Learn how these advancements make tests smarter and more accurate in fields across Education, Credentialing, and Workforce Skills. Assessment is a critical aspect of EdTech, HRTech, Medicine, and more - but often does not get the attention that it deserves!