Prometric's e-Test will make the gun license renewal process smoother, faster and more convenient
BALTIMORE, MD. and KRUGERSDORP, SOUTH AFRICA, February 27, 2007 – As South African gun owners scramble to meet the deadline of the Firearms Control Act, which requires that all gun owners renewing their licenses undergo strict competency testing, Prometric, the global leader in technology-enabled testing and assessment services, has launched e-Test to make it easier for them to do so. e-Test, a computer-based testing service, has been launched on behalf of the Safety and Security Sector Education and Training Authority (SASSETA) for the unit standard 117705 – "Demonstrate Knowledge of the Firearm Control Act 2000." This is the first time that existing gun owners and first-time applicants for a gun license can take the required test via computer.
While paper based testing (PBT) will still be available through accredited training providers, e-Test, which is available at the Firearms Competency Accredited Training Centers (FCATC), brings a new dimension of convenience and speed as well as elimination of errors and administrative delays to the fore. The FCATC was established to bring quality, accredited, firearm training to the security industry and to the general public. As one of the first training centers to offer the e-Test, FCATC management believes the new electronic system will provide more effective, timely and cost-effective assessment delivery and submission of learner data to SASSETA.
"e-Test will reduce paperwork and the time it takes training providers, the SASSETA and the Central Firearm Registry to process assessments for firearm license renewals," said Ramesh Nava, Prometric's Vice President and General Manager for Asia Pacific and Africa. "Learner data and assessment results will be uploaded electronically to the SETA within 48 hours of the test, enabling SETA to issue certificates to those with passing scores within 30 days."
Prometric's e-Test, developed under contract to SASSETA, is expected to alleviate any testing backlog experienced from the first round of applications. According to SASSETA CEO Vuyelwa Penxa, "We contracted Prometric to design and implement an e-assessment tool since it is acknowledged as an authority in the design and implementation of computerized testing internationally. Additionally, the SASSETA board and management team were satisfied that it would meet the requirements laid down to comply with our brief from the South African Police Service."
"The system, which is to be rolled out in partnership with SASSETA-accredited training providers, will provide a highly efficient, standardized and reliable test delivery mechanism that will allow training providers to assess more learners without compromising test quality," says Ms. Penxa.
According to the South African Police Services, all firearm owners should renew their licenses according to a schedule linked to their month of birth, as outlined below.
| Birthday | Renewal Period |
|---|---|
| 1 April to 30 June | 1 January 2006 to 31 March 2007 |
| 1 July to 30 September | 1 January 2007 to 31 March 2008 |
| 1 October to 31 December | 1 January 2008 to 31 March 2009 |
Director Jaco Bothma of the Central Firearms Registry adds: "Having a quality computer-based system in place will dramatically reduce any possibility of assessment fraud and provide gun owners with a legally defined assessment to test their knowledge on the firearms control act. In addition, the e-Test will also provide a speedier and smoother alternative to assist with getting South Africa's gun-owning population in line with legal requirements before the deadline dates to avoid prosecution."
To find out where you can take e-Test, please log on to www.legalgun.co.za or call the SASSETA Hotline: +27 0861 102 477 (be sure to ask about "e-Test").
About Prometric
Thomson Prometric (www.prometric.com) is the recognized global leader in technology-enabled assessment services, providing paper-and-pencil, Internet and computer-based testing solutions. It offers a fully integrated testing system that includes test development, test delivery and data management capabilities. On behalf of 600 current clients in the academic, professional, government, corporate and information technology markets, Prometric develops and/or delivers assessments through a global network of testing centers in 132 countries as well as direct to candidates via the Web.
