Upholding Integrity: ETS’s Unwavering Commitment to Test Security

Wally Dalrymple, Chief Security Officer

At ETS, part of our steadfast mission is to uphold the integrity of test scores and play a role in opening the door to opportunity for test takers worldwide. As the largest education and talent solutions organization worldwide with more than 75 years of experience, we have pioneered and continuously refined a comprehensive, multi-pronged approach to test security – identification, prevention, detection, response, and world-class communication. Our robust practices have become industry standards emulated globally.

Identifying Risks Through Vigilant Monitoring

ETS's dedicated Office of Testing Integrity (OTI) is at the forefront of identifying potential security threats. The OTI team constantly monitors testing sessions, investigates all reported incidents, conducts unannounced audits, and leverages statistical analysis to detect any anomalies in score trends across regions and test centers. This proactive approach ensures the early identification of risks to score validity.

Preventing Fraud Through Secure Test Design and Delivery

Our commitment to integrity starts from the inception – adhering to the highest standards in creating and delivering secure test content. We establish stringent protocols for secure test locations, extensive training of test center staff, and rigorous enforcement of test-taker rules and requirements. This multi-layered preventive approach creates a fair and secure testing environment.

State-of-the-Art Detection and Response Capabilities

ETS invests millions annually in advanced security measures to detect and respond to even the most sophisticated cheating attempts. For our at-home assessments, we deploy best-in-class technologies like facial recognition, geo-location, and advanced biometrics, coupled with live human proctoring. This combination of AI monitoring and human vigilance ensures real-time detection and intervention against suspicious activities, such as impersonation attempts, unauthorized software usage, or the presence of prohibited devices.

Decisive Action and Clear Communication

In cases of confirmed cheating or testing irregularities, ETS takes decisive action, including score cancellations, test-taker bans, and referrals to law enforcement authorities when appropriate. We reserve the right to review and cancel any questionable scores, even after initial reporting, to maintain score validity. ETS is committed to transparent communication, promptly notifying score recipients of any cancellations, and providing clear explanations.

Upholding Fairness and Integrity

ETS's mission is to protect the integrity of our assessments, mitigate cheating risks, and safeguard the interests of honest test-takers worldwide. Our global best-in-class test security methodology, coupled with our steadfast commitment to validity and fairness, ensures that ETS scores remain a reliable and trustworthy measure of academic achievement.