Updating W3CB Certifications: How we keep them Relevant

The Web3 Certification Board regularly reviews blockchain certifications to ensure they stay relevant, and technically accurate, and assess the skills needed to thrive in the decentralized world. Reviews guarantee certifications evaluate the right abilities for blockchain roles, prioritizing key skills. While comprehensive role learning exceeds exam coverage, prioritization allows valid, reliable measurement.

The Board reviews exam objectives every two months, revising, removing, or occasionally adding as needed. Annually, the job task analysis defining critical knowledge, skills, and abilities is refreshed. Most changes reflect role evolution, integrated through routine updates clearly marked on exam pages. As certifications remain personal, individuals must proactively check for coming changes.

Sometimes, larger job role revolutions necessitate new exam numbers, alerting significant updates requiring adapted preparation. The Board provides a 90-day overlap, letting individuals choose to take old or new versions. After 90 days, expired exams retire permanently.

Depending on changes, the Board may split expanded exams or consolidate redundant ones into accurately assessed, streamlined certifications. New exam numbers again indicate beta tests, gathering data to finalize quality questions.

Rarely, name changes to certifications or exams better convey evolved job roles. Updates appear on transcripts.

If a role loses relevance, the Board retires certifications, typically replacing them with more valuable alternatives. 90+ days notice allows completion; after retirement, exams cannot be taken or renewed.

Name changes to certifications generally do not accompany new exam numbers. If a role expands, individuals can take old or new exams based on current or updated skills sought. Self-paced content and training is updated to align within seven to 30 days.

Beta exams pilot test new questions for quality prior to finalization, using data and feedback to ensure validity. As roles evolve quickly, new exams often require new questions to assess new skills.

The Board continuously updates pages with coming certification and exam changes. Please check frequently and contact us with any questions!

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Online proctored exams: What to expect and how to prepare

The W3CB understands that traveling to a test center may not be an option for all certification candidates during these times. For those new to online proctored exams, the experience may seem daunting, but it can actually be far less stressful than traveling to a test center if you are prepared. Follow these tips from the W3CB to maximize your likelihood of a smooth exam delivery:

Watch the video on the W3CB website explaining online exams and follow the provided tips and tricks. Meeting all requirements is critical for exam security and your testing experience.

Run the system test from the computer and location you’ll use for the actual exam. This verifies your setup meets requirements. Many issues arise when candidates don’t do this. Test at least 24 hours before your exam in case you need to reschedule.

Understand the rules. You cannot have food, drinks (except water), papers, books, phones, etc. on your desk. You cannot leave your desk at any time. Accommodations for special circumstances may be requested. While strict, these rules mimic test center conditions.

After identity verification and room scan, follow the onscreen prompts to begin your exam. Surprisingly, many candidates miss this step!

The W3CB aims to ensure exam integrity and security in an uncontrolled home environment, just as in test centers. Required steps and rules maintain equal rigor for all candidates. Undermining certification integrity negatively impacts all credential holders.

Run the system test from the exact computer and location you’ll use for the exam. This is the most critical preparation step! Don’t schedule until you pass.

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What goes into Creating a W3CB Certificaiton

Web3 Certifications are developed by a dedicated team of subject matter experts at the Web3 Certification Board. The Board’s psychometrician ensures the processes used to evaluate candidates are measuring the right skills and abilities. The psychometrician partners with the product manager to optimize and enhance the certification program, analyzing pain points and competitive offerings to improve the exam experience.

The Board creates exams starting with a job task analysis where experts identify the most critical skills for a blockchain role. These skills are then rated by a larger group of experts on importance and frequency. The top 20-30 skills become the exam blueprint the psychometrician uses to determine the number of questions per skill. Subject matter experts reference their experiences and common mistakes when writing relevant questions with plausible distractors.

Given the speed of change in blockchain technology, the Board’s exam creation process from job analysis to beta exam release takes about 15 weeks. This allows the Board to stay current and test the skills needed right now. Exams are updated every two months, with changes provided on the exam page 30 days in advance.

When taking an exam, the Board recommends reading the introduction explaining the format and instructions for each section carefully. Providing feedback on questions by marking for comment is encouraged, especially regarding technical accuracy rather than just typos.

With businesses digitizing operations, blockchain professionals play a key role in leveraging optimal technical solutions. The Web3 Certification Board’s credentials demonstrate an up-to-date understanding of features and skill-applying concepts. For those looking to begin a blockchain career, the Board recommends aligning training and certifications to in-demand jobs to stand out. Starting with fundamentals builds core knowledge before pursuing role-based certifications. The Board’s self-paced online learning through Web3 Learn provides free resources to develop skills at your own pace.

The Web3 Certification Board aims to make certifications valuable for blockchain career goals. The team is here to help individuals and businesses prepare for success in this emerging field.

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