New Standardized Exams Coming in JULY 2025
EOCP currently uses the latest version of the standardized Level I–IV WPI exams and will continue this practice with the introduction of the new exams in July 2025. Training providers have been informed and given access to the updated Need-to-Know criteria. These exams aim to establish a new benchmark in professional standards and promote excellence within the water industry.
Exam Development
Development of the new level I – IV exams began with new job analyses conducted in 2022 – 2023; a process through which tens of thousands of industry stakeholders provided input on the significance of over 700 industry job tasks. These tasks were analyzed utilizing several different criteria including respondent demographic information, population served, plant size, plant technology, the criticality of job tasks when aligned with both facility and system operation, and most importantly, public health.
This data was analyzed by both SMEs and psychometricians to identify a framework for WPI’s standardized examinations known as an exam content outline (ECOs) which are essentially examination blueprints; a framework that identifies every topic and task that may be testable on an examination.
Need-to-Know Criteria
SME committees of varying backgrounds and geographical representation, including certified EOCP Operators, utilized the ECOs to identify significant job tasks for inclusion on public facing documents called Need-to-Know Criteria. Additional SMEs are guiding updates to the format of the Need-to-Know Criteria to improve clarity for the candidates, certifiers, and trainers who reference the documents. Overall, when compared to prior editions of the Need-to-Know Criteria, you can expect the new outlines to have:
1. More clearly stated and streamlined job task statements: Bulleted task listings and descriptions will provide clear and concise descriptions of content that is testable on each standardized exam.
2. Reference alignment by content area: To assist operators with exam preparation tasks, the primary and secondary industry reference materials used in each content area will be identified on the new NTKs. This, in conjunction with the operator’s individual mastery report, will assist the operator, and their trainers, in identifying the most appropriate reference materials to utilize for exam preparation.
3. Removal of “analysis-type” items: The testing industry best practices have evolved to exclude these types of items in certification examinations that identify minimum competence. It was determined that the complexity of an analysis item becomes difficult for certain demographic populations and therefore affects the examination’s fairness.
4. New Exam-Difficulty Equating: With the benefit of almost ten years of statistical data under this exam development model, our psychometricians have identified demographic trends in the industries’ practitioners and are employing exam equating methodology that will more accurately reflect their competence levels.
You can find the NEW Need-to-Know Criteria here.
Sample Questions and Scoring
WPI standardized exams are comprised of 100 scored questions as well as 10 pre-test questions. The 10 pre-test questions are not used to calculate the score, and they allow WPI to gather valuable data before they are included as scored questions on future versions of the exams. They are unidentified to ensure candidates answer them with the same care as the scored questions.
With the release of the new examinations, candidate scores will be reported as a scaled score. WPI employs a Modified-Angoff methodology to set these pass/fail points, which relies on SMEs to examine the content of each item and then estimate the proportion of minimally qualified candidates that would answer the item correctly. A scaled score is a conversion of a candidate’s raw score on an exam to a common scale with a passing grade of 70%.
The points below detail the competence standard:
• A score of 100 scaled score units represents a perfect score with all questions answered correctly.
• A score of 1 scaled score unit represents the lowest score possible and signifies only a small number of questions were answered correctly.
• Candidates must receive a score of 70% scaled score units or higher to pass the exam which represents the minimum standard of knowledge.
Sample Recall Question
Tasks at this level typically require the simple recall or recognition of specific facts, concepts, processes, or procedures, with little to no problem-solving involved. Candidates may be asked to identify, illustrate, recall, and/or recognize specific information. Example:
Although the required contact time for chlorine to kill bacteria may vary depending on certain water characteristics, the typical industry standard is:
A. 15 minutes.
B. 30 minutes.
C. 45 minutes.
D. 60 minutes.
Sample Application Question
Tasks at this level will involve some basic problem solving, calculations, or the interpretation and application of data. Candidates may be asked to calculate, categorize, classify, compare, differentiate, explain, specify, translate, and/or apply knowledge. Example:
In the activated sludge process, some of the activated sludge MUST be wasted to:
A. increase digester gas production
B. prevent excessive solids build-up.
C. prevent clogging of the sludge return line.
D. prevent overloading of sludge return pumps.
Tasks at this level may involve higher level problem solving, evaluation, or the fitting together of a variety of elements into a meaningful whole; they will usually require many steps in the thought process. You may be asked to analyze, evaluate, formulate, generalize, judge, predict, and/or use inductive or deductive reasoning to arrive at a solution. Example:
A single-phase 50 KVA transformer, having a primary voltage of 480 volts and a secondary voltage of 115\230 volts, is supplied on the primary side through a circuit protected at the distribution panel by a 250 amperes circuit breaker. Which of the following is the minimum additional overcurrent protection needed by the transformer?
A. a 125 amperes circuit breaker at the secondary of the transformer
B. a 225 amperes circuit breaker at the secondary of the transformer
C. a 225 amperes circuit breaker located in the distribution panel
D. a 250 amperes circuit breaker at the secondary and a 125 amperes circuit breaker at the primary of the transformer
The introduction of the new standardized Level I–IV WPI exams in July 2025 marks a significant advancement in the water industry’s professional standards. By incorporating comprehensive job analyses, updated Need-to-Know criteria, and refined scoring methodologies, these exams will better reflect the competence of industry practitioners and ensure fairness across diverse demographic populations. As the water industry continues to evolve, these exams will play a crucial role in promoting excellence and safeguarding public health.