Standard setting and feedback
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Scoring
The OPBS examination consists of 200 multiple choice questions (MCQ) split into two papers of 100 questions.
Each MCQ question consists of a stem and five statements. Each statement is worth one score point and candidates are required to answer whether each statement is true or false. Therefore, the examination has a maximum of 1,000 (200 × 5) possible score points.
The passing standard
The passing standard for the OPBS is set after the exam by a standard setting process carried out by a panel of examiners looking to identify the performance of the minimally competent candidate. Since we started this process the passing mark has been around 70%
There is no minimum score required for each syllabus area. Both papers A and B are considered to determine a candidate’s overall result.
Quality assurance
Post-examination statistical analyses are provided to an examination review group to ensure the quality of the examination and for the fair and valid assessment of candidate performance.
Feedback
Feedback reports provided include an indication of candidate performance in each syllabus area as well as the overall pass/fail outcome.
This report will follow approximately a week after the pass/fail result has been released.