Sec. 55.5. Prior approval procedure

(a) Upon the request of the director of examinations or his or her designee, the commission may grant prior approval of a rating key where:

(1) the test material has been used previously, has previously been subject to candidate review, and the analysis of the item response data and the candidate review and appeals history clearly indicates that the rating key represents the correct or best answers;

(2) the test material contains sufficient information to allow candidates to determine the correct answers; or

(3) it is demonstrated that subject matter experts have reviewed the items to confirm that the concepts are current and appropriate for use and that the rating key represents the only correct answers among the alternatives presented.

(b) Where commission approval is not granted prior to the administration of the test, the rating key shall be subject to review under sections 55.3 and 55.4 of this Part.

(c) Where the commission has granted prior approval of a rating key and the director thereafter recommends a change in such rating key, the director shall submit the amended rating key together with a justification for the changes requested to the commission for final approval of the rating key prior to establishment of the eligible list.