The Certified Usability Analyst Exam

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1 The Certified Usability Analyst Exam Overview of HFI s Training and Certification Program We help make companies user-centric

2 Overview CUA Certification Goals Measures practitioners factual knowledge of current User-Centered Design (UCD) domain in 4 competency areas: User Experience Foundations User-Centered Analysis Application and Web Design Usability Testing Assesses UCD practitioners ability to apply proven techniques, practices, methodologies, and tools to common UCD problems Provide a level of basic certification of UCD. The CUA is not intended to replace or compete with academic degrees earned in the field of Human Computer Interaction The CUA exam was designed to gauge knowledge and performance, and not to be a final" exam of the HFI 4-pack courses 1-2

methodologies, and tools to common UCD problems Provide a level of basic certification of UCD.

3 About the CUA Exam Format Administered online via a Web browser Open book exam 100 total questions 2.5 hour time limit for English speaking test takers (4 hours for those not fluent in English, please request a time extension if applicable) Divided into four parts: Research/Foundations - 10 items User-Centered Analysis - 26 items Application and Web Design - 38 items Usability Testing 26 items All questions are multiple-choice with 4 available responses and 1 correct answer 70% of the questions are factual, 30% of the questions are application 1-3

applicable) Divided into four parts: Research/Foundations - 10 items User-Centered Analysis - 26 items Application and Web Design - 38

4 About the Integrity of the CUA Exam A unique exam is created for each test taker by randomly selecting equivalent items from a larger database of questions The order of selected test questions is randomized within each of the 4 test sections The order of responses within each selected test question is randomized 1-4

questions The order of selected test questions is randomized within each of the

5 Preparing for the CUA Exam... The exam is challenging Those who have the best chance of passing the exam on the first attempt typically have: A few years of practical experience in user-centered design Taken all of the most recent 4-pack courses Prepared for the exam by organizing their course materials Done some individual or group review Formulated a strategy for taking the exam 1-5

attempt typically have: A few years of practical experience in user-centered design Taken all of

6 Sample CUA Exam Factual Question... Correct! This menu reflects actual user categories The menu design above appeared on one version of the IBM home page. What type of content organization scheme does this menu best represent? (A) Task-oriented (B) Audience-oriented (C) Chronological (D) Topical 1-6

7 Sample CUA Exam Application Question... Correct! Pilot tests should focus only on the test protocol and materials, not actual data gathering. As a Certified Usability Analyst, you were recently asked by the product manager of a customer service Web application to attend a meeting with the design team. The purpose of the meeting is to finalize a usability test plan in preparation for an upcoming test with actual customer service representatives. The current focus of the discussion centers on conducting the pilot test. Which one of your colleagues is NOT offering sound advice? (A) Marie: Before the pilot test, I think we should identify which one of us will be responsible for tracking time. (B) Rick: Before the pilot test, I think we should get with the legal department to determine if we need to ask participants for informed consent. (C) Treye: For the pilot test, I think we should recruit actual customer service participants so we can gather some initial usability data. (D) Amanda: After the pilot test, I think we should allow at least one or two days before beginning the actual test. 1-7

The purpose of the meeting is to finalize a usability test plan in preparation for an upcoming test with actual customer service representatives.

8 Upon Completion of the Exam... The final page of the exam indicates whether the examinee passed or failed and shows the percentage of correct answers for each section HFI does not provide questions or answers as test questions are proprietary If a passing score is achieved, examinees receive a CUA certificate and electronic emblem Two attempts are included in the exam fee. If an examinee does not pass the first attempt, he/she will be contacted to schedule the second attempt 1-8

answers for each section HFI does not provide questions or answers as test questions are proprietary If a passing score

9 About Initial Pass/Fail Rates... Typically, 80% of test takers pass the exam on the first attempt Typically, those who fail the exam and review their materials pass the exam on the second attempt 1-9

10 Recent Feedback About the Exam... Feedback from those who have passed describe the exam as a good or excellent measure of their knowledge Feedback from a PhD-level, UCD Manager at a large, Midwestern software development company said that those who recently passed the exam were more effective in their role as UCD practitioners, compared to a group that did not pass the exam. 1-10

their knowledge Feedback from a PhD-level, UCD Manager at a large, Midwestern software

11 Thank You! Corporate Headquarters 410 West Lowe Fairfield, IA Phone: (800) (641) Fax: (641) HFI New York, NY Five Penn Plaza 23 rd Floor New York, NY Phone: (212) HFI San Francisco 425 Market Street Suite 2200 San Francisco, CA Phone: (415) HFI Mumbai, India Unit 602, 6 th Floor Hincon House Tower B 247 Park, LBS Marg Vikhroli (W), Mumbai Phone: [email protected] HFI Singapore 20 Maxwell Road, Maxwell House, #07-02 Singapore Phone: HFI London, UK Clerkenwell Workshops 31 Clerkenwell Close London EC1R 0AT Phone: +44 (0) [email protected] HFI Africa UX Best Practices Pty Ltd. 119 Witch-Hazel Avenue Highveld Technopark, Centurion PO Box 10512, Centurion, 0046 l Docex 15 Centurion [email protected]

com HFI San Francisco 425 Market Street Suite 2200 San Francisco, CA 94105 Phone: (415) 955-2734 HFI Mumbai, India Unit 602, 6 th Floor Hincon House Tower B 247 Park, LBS Marg Vikhroli (W), Mumbai

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