Equity and the CAE Exam: One Option Does Not Fit All

We are about three weeks away from the CAE Exam period for May 2023, and the excitement is building. While there is always some tension and sometimes stress in prepping for the CAE Exam, there is a lot of energy in the community as our nonprofit management colleagues demonstrate their commitment to their profession.

Since 2015, I have been mentoring individuals, working with study groups, and facilitating courses to support CAE Candidates. In just 8 years, things have changed dramatically as ASAE and the CAE Commission have worked to modernize the exam process. We have gone from a paper exam that must be taken in person at a test site to a digital experience with an online exam. These are great changes and steps forward, but the more I work with CAE Candidates, the more I find that one option does not fit all. Everyone has unique needs when it comes to learning and exam taking, but we do not have multiple options or alternatives for our CAE Candidates.

While digital tools and options are great for things like working, connecting, and finding entertainment, it is not always the best choice for someone taking an exam. Talking with some candidates about the paper experience v. the online experience, some individuals would rather have a paper exam because it’s easier for them to read the questions and responses in hard copy. It’s how their brain works.

Reading on screen can be difficult for a portion of our CAE Candidates because it is not the best way for them to understand and absorb text; it’s not the way they learn or process information. When you add in the pressure of trying to pass an exam and the time pressure of 4 hours to do it, the on-screen option can become an obstacle to success.

Learning and content processing is different for all of us, but there are also members of our community who have other challenges like Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or dyslexia. Neurodiversity should be considered when offering exam options because there are many other types of issues our colleagues manage, including autism and Dyspraxia (Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD)).

Another consideration of neurodiversity is that some people may need more time to take the exam. Currently, a doctor’s note is required to receive this accommodation but what if someone could just ask for more time? Could a CAE Candidate show a copy of their diagnosis and then be taken at their word? If we want to create an ethical culture with ethical professionals, could we take the bold step to treat people like responsible adults?

When looking at adult learning, we should be keenly aware of these neurodiversity issues in addition to adult learning styles. Not everyone is a visual learner; some people learn better by using audio while others are tactile. Studies have shown that the act of putting pen to paper when actively learning helps adults retain more information for longer periods of time.

Want to know more about writing on paper and learning? Check out this article from Science Daily.

In addition to neurodiversity, we have an increasing cultural diversity in our profession. American English is not everyone’s first language. More and more people that learned a first language other than English are living and working in the United States and choosing our profession. We are also seeing an increase of interest from people in other countries in the CAE designation; what accommodations should be made for those individuals who have a different first language than English and different cultural references?

If we, as the ASAE Community, truly support equity in our commitment to Diversity/Equity/Inclusion as noted in our Standards of Conduct, I believe this needs to reach into all areas, including the CAE Exam. We need to provide options, support, and understanding for CAE Candidates of all types.

One way to describe Equity is to “meet people where they are.” I describe it as giving individuals what they need, not what you want to give them. It means taking the time to learn about someone and to be prepared to support their success with different tools and options.

We also need to consider physical limitations like vision and hearing issues and limited mobility. I’m sure these accommodations exist, but I’ll be honest, I don’t know what these are.

In the future, could we see a process where you have the option of online, on paper, or oral exams? I believe we can offer options of digital/online, on paper, or even oral exams while maintaining the integrity of the exam and the designation. We can address the time issue because we already are, although I think it could be a smoother request process.

While the CAE Exam process is equal, it is not necessarily equitable. Let’s change that and demonstrate a true commitment to Equity in our profession by meeting our CAE Candidates where they are.