§ 602a.13. Scoring of examinations.
(a) Qualifying raw scores. The Office of Administration shall set qualifying raw scores for each examination. When there is a multipart examination, the Office of Administration may require applicants to attain a qualifying raw score on each part of the examination. In determining qualifying raw scores, the Office of Administration may consider both the number and quality of prospective eligibles needed to serve the best interests of the classified service, as well as the validity and reliability of the examination.
(b) Failure of part of examination. An applicant who fails to earn a qualifying raw score on any part of an examination may be disqualified from participating in any other parts of the examination, and if so disqualified, shall be deemed to have failed the entire examination.
(c) Use of examination scores. Final examination scores may be used to rank applicants or to categorize or group similarly qualified applicants.
(1) Ranking of applicants. When examination scores are used to rank applicants, the final earned score of each applicant who attained a qualifying raw score on the examination shall be calculated as follows:
(i) Examination scores shall be calculated in whole numbers.
(ii) The minimum qualifying raw score shall be assigned an examination score of 60.
(iii) The estimated highest qualifying raw score, the score which the best qualified individual would be reasonably expected to attain, shall be assigned an examination score of 100.
(iv) The intermediate qualifying raw scores shall be assigned examination scores between 60 and 100 based on their relationship to the qualifying raw score, the estimated highest qualifying raw score, and the reliability and accuracy of the examination procedures. Scores above the estimated highest qualifying raw score shall exceed an examination score of 100 and shall be assigned an examination score based on their relationship to the qualifying raw score and the estimated highest qualifying raw score.
(v) Ties in examination scores may not be broken.
(2) Categorization or grouping of applicants. When test scores are used to categorize or group similarly qualified applicants, all applicants in a category shall be assigned the same final examination score.
(d) Veterans preference. An applicant’s final examination score will be calculated prior to the application of veterans’ preference in accordance with the act, 51 Pa.C.S. Chapter 71 (relating to veterans’ preference), and this subpart.
(e) Correction of errors in scoring. The Office of Administration, upon finding an error in the calculation of an applicant’s examination score shall correct the error and report the error to the affected applicant, regardless of whether the applicant requested a reconsideration under subsection (f).
(f) Reconsideration. An applicant may request the Office of Administration reconsider the applicant’s examination score by submitting a written request for reconsideration to the Office of Administration within 5 business days of the date that the notice of examination score was sent to the applicant by the Office of Administration. The written request for reconsideration shall state the grounds for the request, specifically explaining why the applicant’s examination score is incorrect based on the examination answers provided by the applicant. The Office of Administration will re-review the applicant’s examination and provide the applicant with a further explanation or revised result.
(1) Appointing authorities may continue the hiring process while an applicant’s request for reconsideration is pending review by the Office of Administration.
(2) If the Office of Administration determines that, due to an administrative error, an applicant received an incorrect examination score, the Office of Administration will revise the applicant’s examination score and instruct the appointing authority to consider the applicant for appointment or promotion to the vacancy in accordance with the act and this subpart.
(g) Refusal to score examination. The Office of Administration is not required to score the examination of an applicant who lacks the established requirements for admission to the examination, the minimum qualifications for employment in the relevant job classification or, where applicable, the selective criteria required for appointment or promotion to the specific position to which the applicant applied. The Office of Administration may refuse to score the examination of an applicant if any of the following occur:
(1) The applicant has been convicted of, or has pled guilty to, a crime, including a plea of nolo contendere, or has otherwise engaged in conduct that renders the applicant unfit or unsuitable for the position sought.
(2) The applicant has been terminated from employment for incompetency or misconduct that renders the applicant unfit or unsuitable for the position sought.
(3) The applicant has made a false statement, or omitted a material fact, or engaged in, or attempted to engage in, deception or fraud in application, examination, securing eligibility, or seeking appointment or promotion.
(4) The applicant lacks professionalism, honesty, trustworthiness and dependability.
(5) The applicant does not meet qualifications required by Federal or State law or regulation.
(6) The applicant has voluntarily waived their right to apply for, or accept, employment in the classified service under a settlement agreement.
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