NASW-GC: Enhancing certification excellence in social work
The National Association of Social Workers Georgia Chapter (NASW-GC) is part of the larger National Association of Social Workers, the world's largest professional association for social workers.
As a membership-based organisation, NASW-GC provides essential services such as continuing education and advocacy to help social workers meet licensing requirements. This includes a certification process for social workers to become certified supervisors through a 2-4 day course and exam, making a secure and accessible online exam platform crucial.
In this case study, we spoke with Cheryl, the Executive Director at NASW-GC, about her experiences of delivering certification exams on Synap since 2023.
The challenges of needing an easily accessible platform
As many of their members are working professionals with demanding schedules, NASW-GC needed an online exam platform that candidates could access at their convenience. Additionally, their social workers have varying levels of technological proficiency, meaning they needed an easy-to-use system.
Additionally, they wanted a solution that would allow monitoring and facilitate exam retakes, while providing a professional testing environment to uphold their high standards for certification.
Choosing Synap for a user friendly exam experience
NASW-GC explored multiple platforms before selecting Synap. Cheryl conducted extensive research and reached out to internal organisations for recommendations. However, many of the suggested platforms did not meet their needs.
Synap stood out due to its accessibility, ease-of-use to deliver certification exams, and strong customer support. The platform provided an intuitive experience for both administrators and exam takers, making it the ideal solution.
“I looked through a lot of different platforms and Synap worked for me. I was looking at it as a student who've been through education systems numerous times. I was looking for a platform that I could manage, that was easily accessible, that I could get in and wouldn't feel that I would be lost with the technology.”
Meaningful support and guided onboarding
Once NASW-GC decided on Synap, the onboarding process was smooth and efficient, thanks to Synap’s helpful customer success team. Synap’s clear guidance and ongoing support made it easy for them get started and launch:
- User-friendly setup: Cheryl, despite not being a tech expert, found Synap easy to use. With support from the Synap team, she quickly became proficient in creating exams and managing the system.
“Will has been excellent and I praise the staff, anyone that I've spoken with, and I mean either through messaging in person, or actually messaging through the platform - great! They take pictures, everything that someone might need. And I can't express how much that means to me.”
- Comprehensive training: The Synap team provided step-by-step tutorials and help guides ensuring Cheryl and her team could confidently set up and administer exams.
- Seamless communication: Despite the time difference, Cheryl received prompt responses to inquiries which reinforced her confidence in the Synap platform.
“If I put in a message or I send an email, I get a response right away, which means a lot to me. I'm big on customer service, and so getting a response and then getting accurate answers and someone to take you through step by step, is one of the benefits and why I enjoy working with the Synap team.”
The comprehensive features that met NASW-GC’s needs
Synap provided a robust solution to NASW-GC’s challenges by offering key features tailored to their needs.
Retake exams
As part of NASW-GC’s certification process, they have to offer participates an opportunity to retake. Candidates who fail the exam are allowed two retakes, ensuring they have multiple but limited opportunities to meet the certification requirements.
Synap’s retake feature meant they could automate this process, if a test-taker fails, they’re automatically enrolled into a retake exam, which reduces the administrative burden for scheduling retakes. This process assured Cheryl and her team that only competent candidates are certified.
"The ability to retake exams and maintain an 80% pass rate ensures that only well-prepared professionals receive certification."
Automatic grading
Synap’s grade feature meant they can enforce a strict 80% pass threshold, maintaining the credibility of the certification process. The system automatically calculates the grade, eliminating the risk of human error and significantly reducing the administrative workload.
Flexible exam scheduling
NASW-GC needed a solution that could accommodate their candidates busy professional schedules, as they are people already working in their field. Synap’s scheduling feature allowed them to easily set an exam window of three weeks, allowing candidates to complete the exam at a time that was convenient to them.
Analytics
Synap provides in-depth reporting and data analysis tools, helping NASW-GA assess how candidates perform, understand pass/fail rates, and extract valuable insights into questions for continuous improvement.
"The analytics help us see where candidates struggle the most, so we can improve our training materials."
Synoptic proctoring
Synap offers remote monitoring features, ensuring that exams are conducted with integrity. NASW-GC chose to use the Synoptic proctoring solution, to observe test sessions and monitor is candidates breach any rules for example, opening a new tab. This meant they can uphold professional standards.
"With Synap’s monitoring tools, we can ensure exams are conducted fairly and maintain the credibility of our certification process."
The results: Secure and seamless certification processes
Using Synap has significantly improved NASW-GC’s certification process. Candidates experience a seamless and user-friendly exam platform, increasing accessibility for all users, including those less familiar with digital tools.
"Synap has made it so much easier for our candidates to take their exams without technical difficulties."
Candidates taking the exam have had a positive experience using Synap for their certification. Cheryl highlighted that social workers, who are often vocal about their experiences, have not provided any negative feedback about the platform.
“Let me say that social workers are trained to use their voice! The fact that we don't receive any complaints about the system, its wonderful!”
The ability to track performance through analytics has enhanced the organisation’s ability to refine and improve their courses. The inclusion of proctoring features has helped maintain examination integrity, reinforcing the credibility of the certification program.
“it's just a great tool, and it happens to work for me as an executive director and for those that I'm working with, so the social workers in the state.”
Presenting Synap to their governing body
After being with Synap since 2023, NASW-GC plans to continue leveraging Synap for their certification exams due to its ease of use, strong customer support, and valuable features.
They intend to recommend their certification course and exam to their governing body as the standard for social workers seeking supervisory roles. Cheryl is preparing a report, backed by test statistics and results from Synap, to submit to their national office. With Synap playing a key role in their state's certification process, they hope to see its integration into official state regulations.
