Pearson VUE
Pearson Always Learning logo
ifs School of Finance 
 
Quick links:
Home > Case Studies > ifs School of Finance
 
“If you need to deliver objective assessments electronically, then Pearson VUE can really help. It’s a fast, flexible and secure
system.”
Quote by LINDEN MUIRHEAD, HEAD OF PROJECTS AND CUSTOMER OPERATIONS 
case study

About ifs School of Finance
The ifs School of Finance is a leading provider of financial education and the UK’s specialist awarding body for financial services and financial literacy. It offers financial capability awards in schools and colleges, an internationally recognised degree programme and a range of continuing professional development services.

The ifs School of Finance is incorporated by Royal Charter and works closely with the financial services industry, providing tailored learning for some of the world's best-known companies.

e-Assessment growth
The ifs School of Finance has been using e-assessment since regulation of the mortgage market in 2002 and now works closely with Pearson VUE to deliver up to 4,000 online assessments each month.

Linden Muirhead, Head of Projects and Customer Operations, said: “With Pearson VUE, we are able to get our tests out into the marketplace very quickly, which is a big advantage.”

“In a fast-paced environment such as financial regulation, it is important that examination candidates can be assessed quickly and effectively and that employers can receive accurate, timely information about their staff's performance. The ability to book, re-book and sit a test more or less when you want improves the whole experience.”

The ifs School of Finance’ candidates are able to use Pearson VUE’s customised network of 150 conveniently located test centres throughout the UK, as well as Pearson Select centres overseas including Ethiopia, Malta, India and Kuwait.

“Financial services regulators want qualifications available quickly and with Pearson VUE we can deliver. It is a scaleable, flexible system that enables us to get into the market very fast.” LINDEN MUIRHEAD

Quality and security
Pearson VUE's attitude to quality assurance ensures that the test questions are delivered to candidates exactly as we require. Security is very important to the ifs school of finance. Pearson VUE helps reduce the worry by ensuring that the right candidate takes the right test at the right time – and receives the right result.

The ifs School of Finance has found that pass rates are comparable to paper based tests, alleviating concerns that computer testing would be too easy or too difficult for some candidates.

e-Assessment – the future
“People need to understand that e-assessment isn’t only about transferring paper qualifications onto a computer. It is ideal for objective testing, very flexible and with a lot of potential,” said Linden Muirhead.

The ifs uses multiple choice questions as part of its overall assessment package, but the company is looking at the possibility of using other question types – something that is easily achievable with Pearson VUE’s system.

About Pearson VUE
Pearson VUE is the world’s leading assessment and testing business, with a focus on advanced technology and exceptional service.

How we can help
If you offer paper-based tests, we can ensure you maintain standards while making the transition to computer based testing. We offer a flexible range of services, including:

  • Test development
  • Registration and scheduling
  • Test delivery through our global network of 5,000 test centres in 162 countries, or in your own test centres 
  • Management information 
  • Security and data integrity, including physical, password and encryption systems