Examination security is vital to the ARDMS mission. Without it, the value of your ARDMS credential is weakened — and it could be rendered meaningless. As a result, we take security seriously.
Cheating: Zero Tolerance, Detection & Consequences
We enforce a strict zero-tolerance policy regarding any type of cheating and closely monitor for fraudulent test behaviors.
Prohibited behaviors include, but are not limited to proxy testing, use of unauthorized materials or stolen content, and fraudulent schemes
Advanced monitoring systems are in place to detect such activities. All suspicious behavior will be investigated.
Any candidate found cheating or engaging in unauthorized behavior during examinations will face immediate disciplinary action, which may include exam termination, score invalidation, revocation/loss of credentials, revocation of online proctoring privilege, and prohibition from taking future examinations.
By participating in our examinations, candidates acknowledge that they understand our integrity standards and willingly agree to comply.
Examples of information you may share:
- “It was cold in the testing center, so be sure to bring a sweater or jacket.”
- “The examination consisted of multiple-choice questions and some image and video questions.”
- “The APCA/ARDMS content outline was very helpful when I was studying for the examination.”
- “I had some issues with some of the questions, but overall it was an okay experience.”
Examples of questions you may ask:
- “What are you allowed to bring with you to the testing center?”
- “How was the examination?”
- “Were you able to take bathroom breaks?”
Examples of information you may not share:
- “There were a lot of questions on {specific topic}. You should spend more time studying that.”
- “I feel that the question {repeat question} wasn’t worded well. It should have said, ______.”
- “I will show you the images that were used in the examination to help you study.”
Examples of questions you may not ask:
- ”What areas of the examination should have been covered more in class?”
- “How many questions were related to {specific topic}?”
- “How did you answer {specific question}?”
- “What images were on the examination?”
- “Based on your experience, do you think I should study more of {specific topic} instead of {specific topic}?”
- “I was torn between answers A and B for {specific question}. How did you answer it?”
Specific Examples of cheating:
Cheating can happen inside or outside the testing center and can include:
- Someone taking the test for someone else.
- Someone taking notes or other materials into the examination room.
- Someone removing materials from the test center.
- A review course that claims to include APCA or ARDMS “live” questions and answers (or that offers to pay for them).
- Someone posting information about examination content in a public forum, such as a blog post.
- Any behavior that may give some people an unfair advantage on the examination.
How to report a possible case of cheating:
Please send any cheating concerns in writing:
By Email
Compliance@inteleos.org
By Mail
APCA
Attention: Examination Security
1401 Rockville Pike, Suite 600
Rockville, MD 20852-1402
Examination security concerns can also be reported to the APCA test vendor, Pearson VUE.
You may submit your concerns anonymously. If you do, please include as much information as you can about the situation because we will not be able to contact you for additional details. For example, if describing an incident at a test center, please state the location, the time of the incident and as many specific details as possible, including any names or descriptions of the individuals involved.
Once your information is received, APCA will begin a formal investigation. If you provided your name, you may be asked to write and sign a formal statement. If we take legal action against the individuals involved in the security breach, you may be asked to provide information for the opposing counsel in a deposition or to testify before a judge or jury.
Candidates should be aware of fraudulent schemes by some who claim to have ARDMS or APCA examination content that boosts higher pass rates. Candidates found engaging with these websites or using stolen exam content from ARDMS or APCA will face disciplinary actions equivalent to cheating.
If you have questions regarding examination security, please email your questions to Compliance@inteleos.org, or contact the APCA office at (800) 943-1709 and ask to speak with a Compliance representative.
