Creating a Delightful Testing Experience: Strategies to Reduce Anxiety While Preserving Validity

I.C.E. Exchange Program Description : While standardized administration procedures are essential for supporting test validity, they can inadvertently heighten test anxiety—introducing construct-irrelevant variance that undermines assessment fairness. Striking the right balance between standardized rigor and test-taker experience is critical. As outlined in Standard 5.3, testing environments should “furnish reasonable comfort with minimal distractions,” ensuring both validity and examinee well-being.

This session showcases how two organizations—one university and one certification body—have reimagined their test administration strategies to reduce stress and foster a more inclusive, accessible, and even delightful experience for test-takers. Presenters will share practical approaches to preparing candidates, thoughtful use of language, and test-day features designed to create a calm and supportive environment—all while upholding the integrity of the assessment process.