Professional Standards Assessment
The Professional Standards Assessment or PSA is an online (web-based), open-book assessment consisting of 50 multiple-choice questions requiring Members to apply their knowledge of CRTO legislation, regulations, standards and guidelines. Being open-book, Members may use whatever resources they find necessary to answer the questions, including: the CRTO web site, the Members' Manual or discussion with colleagues.
If randomly selected, Members will be given 30 days in which to complete the PSA. A unique login and password to access the secure PSA web site will be provided. Within the 30 day period, Members may login and out of the PSA as many times as they wish, eliminating the need to complete it in one sitting.
Below each PSA question is a text box for Members to comment on the clarity, fairness or relevance of the question. Members' comments will be taken into consideration during the Quality Assurance Committee's review process and, if necessary, scores may be adjusted accordingly. After clicking the "Submit to CRTO" button, Members will be shown all 50 questions again with their answers (and the correct answers, if different) highlighted. In addition, rationales are listed for each of the options along with reference material to provide an even greater learning opportunity.
To view a sample of the PSA questions click here. For further information about the PSA, please contact Carole Hamp at hamp@crto.on.ca.
Members often ask, "what happens if I fail?" In 2008 the College Council set a benchmark of 70% or the 6th percentile (whichever is lower in a given year), for the PSA. If a Member does not achieve a score of 70% or above the 6th percentile s/he may be given the opportunity to re-try the PSA in an effort to improve his/her score. Should the score still not reach the benchmark, the Member may be required, by a Panel of the QA Committee, to meet with College staff who will mentor him/her on the key areas/topics tested in the PSA. The Member may be asked to re-write the PSA following this meeting. If you have questions regarding the PSA benchmark, please don't hesitate to contact the College.