First UK pan online testing centre
In 2005 The Psychometrics Centre, then at City University, London and before its move to The University of Cambridge partnered with the US company pan (Performance Assessment Network) to provide the UK’s first dedicated online testing centre at City University, London. The project that was discontinued in 2006 with the Centre’s move to Cambridge.
Performance Assessment Network (pan) were world leaders in internet testing. Their easy-to-use, secure technology delivered tests on-line to the US Government’s Homeland Security Program. They supplied around 500 titles from 35 internationally known assessment publishers, offering clients the instruments that best met their needs, rather than ones driven by their bottom line.
At that time there were already 50 pan on-line testing centres in the USA and the number was increasing. The approach had worked with thousands of companies on projects ranging from huge recruitment exercises to one-off in-depth assessments. The Psychometrics Centre’s partnership with pan delivered this approach in the UK for the first time. Based on a newly-opened building in the City of London, the on-line centre incorporated quality assured hardware and pan’s proven software.
pan (Performance Assessment Network)
International organisations increasingly needed to assess existing and future employees in different countries on the same instruments. On-line testing increased the speed and reduced the costs of this process. But there had been real concerns about the quality of the experience for candidates and existing employees being tested. The Centre was at the forefront of new developments in assessment, not least the use of technology to make world-class test more easily available while keeping to the highest professional standards. Clients ranged from Australian banks wishing to recruit overseas, to small companies who did not themselves have the expertise to provide online assessment services during the recruitment process.
Today, much has changed. In particular the revolution in online testing that has hugely reduced the need for travel. While supervision of testing sessions remains a problem, this has largely been superceeded by advances in cyber security that would have been unimaginable 20 years ago. And while there is still a demand for closely supevised testing, most organizations prefer to test their candidates in-house rather than at a dedicated site over which the inevitable have less control.
Following its pioneering collaboration with The Psychometrics Centre at City University, London, Performance Assessment Network (PAN) continued to evolve and expand its influence in the realm of online psychometric assessments. Although the original partnership was discontinued in 2006, PAN’s journey did not end there. Its technological innovations and strategic expansions post-2006 have significantly shaped the testing industry.
After the closure of the dedicated online testing center in London, it focused on enhancing its technological capabilities and expanding its global footprint. The company capitalized on the burgeoning demand for remote testing solutions, especially as international organizations recognized the importance of standardized assessments across diverse geographical locations. This period saw PAN developing more robust, scalable, and secure platforms to administer tests, which catered to a variety of industries including government, healthcare, and corporate sectors.
By the early 2010s, PAN had integrated advanced AI algorithms into their testing systems. This integration allowed for adaptive testing, where the difficulty of the test dynamically adjusted to the candidate’s ability level, providing a more personalized assessment experience. This technological advancement not only improved the precision of test results but also enhanced the user experience by reducing the duration and stress associated with traditional testing methods.
Furthermore, PAN was among the first in the industry to adopt and implement stringent cyber security measures. With online testing becoming more prevalent, the potential for cyber threats increased. Its commitment to security was demonstrated through its early adoption of encrypted communications, secure browser technologies, and rigorous data protection policies, which ensured the confidentiality and integrity of test results.
In addition to technological advancements, PAN also played a crucial role in promoting best practices in the testing industry. The company frequently collaborated with academic institutions and regulatory bodies to develop guidelines that ensured fair and ethical testing practices. These collaborations helped in establishing industry standards that are still referenced today.
PAN’s influence also extended to thought leadership in the assessment industry. The company regularly contributed to research and discussions on the future of psychometric testing, emphasizing the importance of innovation and ethical responsibility. Through various conferences and publications, it shared insights that helped shape the strategies of testing organizations worldwide.
Today, the legacy of PAN’s early partnership with The Psychometrics Centre continues to resonate throughout the assessment industry. The foundations laid during those initial years paved the way for the advancements that are now taken for granted. As we look to the future, the principles of innovation, security, and ethical responsibility that it championed remain at the forefront of the quest to refine and enhance online psychometric assessments.