Effective September 1, 2025

Pre-testing is an important resource for gathering actionable data to inform instruction, identify learning gaps, and engage learners in their journey toward industry-recognized certification. This optional component is available for NOCTI’s knowledge-based assessments and is designed to support teaching and learning across career and technical education (CTE) settings.

Pre-tests may be administered at any point in a program. Administer at the beginning of the program to assess baseline knowledge or administer throughout the program to measure progress over time. Pre testing can support establishing and measuring growth targets. The resulting data is valuable for educators in tailoring instruction, for administrators in tracking program effectiveness, and for learners to build self-awareness about their skill development and engagement in their learning journey.

This unified policy applies to all testing populations—including secondary, postsecondary, and business/industry learners—and is designed to protect the integrity of NOCTI’s normative post-test data. These guidelines ensure pre- and post-test comparisons remain valid, reliable, and educationally meaningful.

Pre-Test Administration Guidelines

  • Timing Requirements: Post-tests must be administered a minimum of 30 calendar days after the pre-test to ensure that learners have received sufficient instruction and learning opportunities that can be meaningfully reflected in their post-test performance.
  • Testing Flexibility: Pre-tests may be used:
  • At the start of a course or program
  • Midway through instruction
  • At multiple checkpoints to support growth monitoring.
  • At up to two points in an academic year.
  • Program Planning: Educators and administrators are encouraged to build pre-testing into the program schedule early to allow for timely instructional adjustments and meaningful student feedback.
  • Data Use: Pre-test data is designed to be used diagnostically and formatively to highlight strengths, guide curriculum adjustments, and support learner goal setting. This approach keeps the focus on growth and improvement.
Note: Applicable state pre-test policies may apply.