Frequently Asked Questions
What services does Professional Testing Consultants provide?
Professional Testing Consultants (PTC) designs and administers customized promotional assessment processes for public-safety agencies. Services may include written examinations, tactical simulations, coaching or counseling exercises, panel interviews, inbox or in-basket exercises, teach-backs, and Engineer practical assessments involving driving, pumping, or aerial operations. Custom components are available as well.
How does PTC promote fair and consistent scoring?
Assessors evaluate each candidate using structured rubrics based on the identified competencies and expectations for the position. Assessors document their observations independently and then review the candidate’s performance as a panel to reach a consensus score.
Are assessments customized for each agency?
Yes. Every assessment is developed around the agency’s rank, job expectations, policies, procedures, collective bargaining requirements, available equipment, and operational needs. PTC does not use a one-size-fits-all process.
What is included in the assessment process?
Depending on the services selected, PTC may provide:
• Assessment planning and agency consultation
• Candidate orientation materials
• Written examinations and challenge procedures
• Customized practical and oral components
• Qualified assessors, proctors, and role players
• Score compilation
• Assessor feedback
• Individual candidate evaluations
• Final reporting to the agency
What information does the agency need to provide?
The agency may be asked to provide applicable policies, procedures, job descriptions, promotional announcements, collective bargaining requirements, written-exam resources, equipment information, facility access, and subject-matter expertise.
For practical components, the agency may also need to provide apparatus, operational locations, candidate expectations, answer keys based on agency preference, equipment, scenario wants/needs, response information, photographs, or other agency-specific details.
How involved is the agency in developing the assessment?
Agency representatives provide factual information, identify operational expectations, assist as subject-matter experts, and review materials for agency-specific accuracy. PTC independently develops and administers the assessment to protect the fairness and integrity of the process. We believe in a "hands-off" process.
Who serves as an assessor? Is the agency responsible for obtaining assessors?
PTC selects qualified professionals with relevant public-safety, leadership, operational, training, or administrative experience. Assessors are reviewed for potential conflicts of interest and receive instructions regarding the agency, assessment components, scoring criteria, confidentiality, and evaluation process.
No. Assessors are provided by PTC as part of our professional assessment staff.