December 22, 2015
RE: Formal complaint against Horizon Technical Consultants / PSI (Psychological Services Inc.)
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing to make a formal complaint against Horizon Technical Consultants and PSI (Psychological Services Inc.), the company ATI (Assessment Technologies Institute) is outsourcing test administration services to. The test center (Horizon Technical Consultants) failed completely, in its responsibility to provide appropriate and fair conditions, as outlined by ATI, specifically in regard to the TEAS V exam. In the process, my legal rights, attributed to ALL test takers, were severely violated, on multiple levels by a rogue PSI exam administrator.
PSI violated my right to be tested in a manner that is consistent with the applicable professional testing standards developed by the American Psychological Association (APA), American Educational Research Association (AERA), and National Council on Measurement in Education (NCME). A fact corroborated by PSI's corporate site, which states: "PSI Authorized test center network sites are independently-owned and have been carefully selected to meet strict security and administration standards set by federal agencies." I'm disappointed that a company like ATI would outsource testing services to a substandard surrogate.
I would like to bring to your attention the heinous behavior demonstrated by the exam administrator, which included, but was not limited to forcing myself and another test taker to skip all of the directions. You did not miss read that, I was actually forced to forego my right to read the directions. A right that is explicitly outlined in ATI's prep material. That was a MAJOR VIOLATION OF MY RIGHTS as a test taker.
It started when I arrived early to explain that in two-hours I had to take prescription medication for health reasons, and she immediately stated: "you can't." At that moment it was clear, the woman was malicious and bent on a nonsensical agenda. After explaining that not taking it was NOT an option, she retorted: "You can leave the room to take it, but the clock on your test will be running." However, that should not have been the case, and I would have known that, if she had allowed me to read the directions (a legally entitled right of all test takers).
Furthermore, I would have known that it was possible to pause between sections, and use the bathroom. In sum, she took every action possible to deceitfully manipulate. Her actions went from morally wrong to criminal. Had the proctor been honest with me, I would have been able to take my medication and not forfeit seven-minutes of a timed test. Negligence of that magnitude is criminal. Not to mention a salient NCME Code violation: Section 4 Standard 4.9.
Due to the proctor's egregious actions, I was forced to take a timed test, not knowing how to utilize essential aspects of the software. As a result, I was not able to answer certain questions, since I was not aware of the system's functionality. All of the above is so outrageous, I temporarily forgot that the computers "froze" and we lost three to four minutes from the reading comprehension portion.
I performed due diligence after my exam and learned that TEAS test takers have a limited amount of pause time, between sections, and are entitled to one bathroom break. I was never told that the clock stops between sections, but I would have known that if I had been allowed to read the directions. If that were the case, it still would have been an abominable experience, but I would have kept it to myself.
ATI has displayed Disgraceful service as an exam board. My experience highlights PSI's incompetence and negligent managerial oversight as an "outsourcing specialist." The company is an embodiment of disservice to those who place trust in their alleged veracity.
However, I encourage you to do your own due diligence. My experience with PSI's Horizon Technical Consultants will be easily verified.
Sincerely,
K Fischer read more