EPYA key terms

The program's controlling document describing eligibility, registration, test-day rules, scoring, retakes, and maintenance. Candidates are bound by its current version, so check it before acting on any policy question.

The attestation a candidate accepts at registration promising to follow program rules, keep exam content confidential, and accept consequences for misconduct. Accepting it is a condition of sitting for the exam.

A prerequisite a candidate must satisfy before registering, such as a minimum age, education level, training course, or supervised experience. Failing to meet it can void a registration or an earned score.

A program review of submitted documentation to confirm a candidate truly meets prerequisites. Audits may occur before testing or after a score is issued, and unverifiable claims can lead to revocation.

The period during which a candidate may apply for a specific exam administration or testing cycle. Missing the window usually means waiting for the next cycle rather than receiving an exception.

The program's confirmation that a candidate is approved to schedule and sit for the exam, typically valid for a limited period. Scheduling cannot occur until it is issued.

Reserving a specific date, time, and location for the exam after approval. Candidates should schedule early because seat availability varies and deadlines for rescheduling depend on the appointment time.

The outside company that delivers the exam at test centers or remotely on the program's behalf. It handles appointments and identification checks but does not set pass standards or interpret scores.

The on-site staff member who verifies identity, enforces room rules, starts and stops the session, and reports irregularities. Candidates should follow this person's instructions and raise problems before leaving.

The document or digital confirmation showing a candidate's appointment details and any required identifiers. Bringing it, along with accepted identification, prevents delays or denial of entry.

The specific unexpired, government-issued photo document the program requires at check-in, with matching name and signature. Copies, expired documents, and unapproved forms are refused even if other proof is offered.

The rule that bags, phones, watches, notes, and other belongings must be stored away from the testing area. Unauthorized items at the workstation are treated as a security violation regardless of intent.

Any object or material barred from the testing room, such as recording devices, study aids, or smart wearables. Possessing one during the exam can void the attempt and trigger sanctions.

A breach of test-center or confidentiality rules, such as using a hidden device, removing exam material, or sharing content afterward. Consequences range from a warning to score cancellation and testing bans.

A formal note filed when something disrupts or compromises an administration, such as a technical failure or suspected cheating. Reports feed into the program's review and can affect scoring decisions.

Supervised testing from a private location using camera, microphone, and screen monitoring. Candidates must meet room and equipment standards, and the same confidentiality and prohibited-item rules apply.

The published outline showing content domains and the approximate share of scored questions each contributes. It guides study priorities and explains why some topics appear far more often than others.

A question whose response counts toward the candidate's result. Only scored items enter the ability estimate; the rest are ignored for pass or fail purposes.

An unscored question embedded to gather performance data for future use. It looks like any other question, so candidates should answer every item carefully rather than guessing which ones count.

Statistical review of how each question performed, including difficulty and how well it separated stronger from weaker candidates. Results decide whether an item is retained, revised, or retired.

A standard-setting technique in which trained judges estimate how likely a minimally competent candidate is to answer each question correctly. Those judgments combine into the passing score.

The level of knowledge and skill, expressed as a score, that separates competent from non-competent performance. It is set by expert judgment, not by a fixed percentage of correct answers.

A converted score placed on a common reporting scale so results from different exam forms can be compared fairly. It is not the raw number of correct answers.

The simple count of scored questions answered correctly before any statistical adjustment. Candidates rarely see it because reported results use a comparable scaled scale.

A statistical procedure that adjusts for slight differences in difficulty across exam forms. It ensures a candidate is not advantaged or disadvantaged by which version of the test they received.

One assembled version of the exam containing a particular mix of questions drawn from the blueprint. Multiple forms are used across administrations and are made comparable through equating.

The final decision comparing a candidate's scaled score with the passing standard. Results are reported only as pass or fail; no partial credit or diagnostic breakdown is given.

The official notice telling a candidate whether they passed and, where offered, section-level performance information. It is the authoritative record and supersedes any preliminary on-screen message.

A review confirming that a candidate's responses were recorded and scored correctly, such as checking for technical errors. It does not re-grade answers or change judgments about correctness.

Withdrawal of an earned result because of misconduct, an eligibility problem, or a testing irregularity. It can occur after the candidate has been told they passed.

A formal request asking the program to reconsider a decision, such as a misconduct finding or a denied accommodation. Appeals follow published grounds and deadlines and usually require written evidence.

The program's finding, after review, that a candidate violated exam rules. It is the trigger for sanctions such as cancellation, a testing ban, or notification to a certifying body.

The obligation not to disclose, discuss, or reconstruct exam questions or answers in any form. It continues after testing and applies to conversations, forums, and study groups.

An adjustment to testing conditions or timing that removes a barrier related to a documented disability without altering what the exam measures. It must be requested and approved in advance.

The formal application for testing adjustments, submitted with supporting evidence by the published deadline. Late or incomplete requests are typically denied for that administration.

The evidence a candidate must supply to support an accommodation request, such as an evaluation from a qualified professional describing functional limitations and recommended adjustments. It must be current and specific.

Moving an existing appointment to a different date or time, allowed only if requested before the program's cutoff and any fee is paid. Repeated moves may be limited.

Withdrawing an appointment, which may forfeit part or all of the fee depending on how close to the test date it occurs. Refund rules are set by the program, not the testing vendor.

Loss of a fee or an exam opportunity because a candidate missed a deadline or failed to appear. It is the usual outcome of a no-show without an approved excuse.

Failing to appear for a scheduled appointment without approved cause. It generally wastes the fee and may count against retake eligibility or require a new registration.

The mandatory interval before a failed candidate may test again, and the limit on attempts within a set timeframe. It exists to protect exam security and encourage genuine preparation.

The maximum number of times a candidate may sit for the exam within a defined period, after which additional authorization is required. It is separate from the waiting period between tries.

A free or fee-waived re-administration granted when a technical failure or verified disruption invalidates an attempt. It requires timely reporting and program approval, not a simple request.

The periodic process of renewing a credential by meeting continuing education, practice, or assessment requirements before an expiration date. Missing it typically results in lapsed status.

A credit earned for approved professional learning activities and counted toward recertification. Only activities meeting the program's content and provider rules qualify.

A random or targeted check requiring a credential holder to prove reported activities actually occurred. Failure to produce acceptable records can reverse a renewal.

The loss of active certification status because renewal requirements or deadlines were not met. Restoring it may require a fee, extra education, or retaking the exam.

The process of restoring a lapsed or revoked credential after satisfying conditions such as fees, education, or a new exam pass. It is not automatic and must be applied for.

An official communication announcing changes to fees, policies, deadlines, or exam content. Candidates are responsible for reading notices sent to their registered contact address.

The mailing address and email a candidate keeps on file with the program. Official notices sent there are considered delivered, so outdated details can cause missed deadlines.