The two main JCP teams, Operations and Marketing, and the Platform and Exam Team worked closely together on the fulfilling the goals as defined in the strategy for 2019 and those from June team sprint in Amsterdam where we were joined by Rowan Hoskyns Abrahall and Marco Dings.

Operations and Marketing Team - by Andrea Gentil

Website migration

We have unified all the information concerning the certification program on the Certification website, including the Joomla! Certification User Dashboard and the Supervisor Course. The menu and contents were reorganized to offer better navigation.

Internal structure and process

We have reorganised the team structure and moved all our application forms to a new ticketing system (using RSTickets).

Exam Calendar

We’ve also implemented a new Exam Calendar (using DP Calendar).

The new calendar displays the exams using different colors to distinguish between the various organiser types, for example, JoomlaDays and JLP’s. There is also now a new page for every Exam session, providing clearer information over the location with an improved map, information on how to book an exam including the exam coupon. Through publishing a module with future exam sessions on the Certification home page, we have increased the visibility of upcoming exam sessions.

Joomla Learning Partner’s (JLP) Directory

Besides the migration of the exam calendar, a new Joomla Learning Partner (JLP) directory has been implemented. The main idea of this directory is to increase the visibility of JLPs and facilitate the search of certification locations, outside Joomla events.

JUG Directory

Similar to the improvements to the JLP Directory, we’ve implemented a new JUG directory, including all the JUGs that have organized exams in the past. Our aim for 2020 is to increase the number of JUGs that are able to offer an exam session.

Standardized Exam provider contracts

The team reviewed the process for Exam Providers. A new standardized agreement has been implemented for all types of Exam Providers (Joomla Learning Partners, Joomla Users Groups, JoomlaDays). To facilitate this, we’ve modified some of the rules regarding holding an exam session. 

The process for JUGs and JoomlaDays has also been reviewed and updated. This process is yet to be published, this will include a new Welcome Package for Exam Providers.

Second attempt process

The second chance initiative provides a method of offering a discount for candidates that have failed an exam and want to retake the exam (within one year of the last attempt). This rule approved back in February 2018 is still valid and applicable. The promotion and communication strategy for this initiative was worked on and will be fully implemented by 2020

Ambassadors Initiative: 

The scope of the initiative has been broadened to include ‘Trusted Supervisors’. The Ambassadors list in the Volunteers Portal now includes all trusted supervisors. This will be maintained, Ambassadors/Trusted Supervisors are now also entitled to supervise exams outside of their local area, making their eligibility to supervise exams, global. 

"Did you know" campaign

The "Did you know" marketing campaign on Social Media was ongoing during the second half of 2019. Our main goal was to create a broader awareness of the JCP. It has increased website traffic and stimulated interaction on social networks.

For 2020 we aim to use a similar campaign, but with renewed images and texts.

Platform and Exam Team - by Wilco Alsemgeest

Besides assisting the Marketing and Operations team, the Platform and Exam team had one main goal in 2019, the integration of the two JCP websites. 

The certification site is the main information site for the Certification program, the Exam site hosts the exams. The integration of these two sites will reduce maintenance, improve security (preparing for SSO) and simplify the certification process for both the exam candidates and JCP team members.

To move to one JCP site, we need to change exam platforms. Currently, the exams use the Moodle LMS (an Open Source Learning Management System). We are now moving the exams to a Joomla based LMS, Shika (TechJoomla). To create and review new questions and exams and also to maintain the current ones, we are also working on a ‘question management’ system (with support from Marco Dings). This system needs to be able to export the new or modified Questions and Answers (Q&A’s) for translation (we use Crowdin) and then import the translated Q&A’s in the LMS for use in the exams.   

Although we have made a great deal of progress, we have had a few problems that have delayed this. We are working on workarounds to enable us to complete the full migration, and will then be able to shut down the exam site. The missing features are still needed but we don’t want to delay this process any further.

The integration is a large and complex operation moving many features from the Exam site to the Certification site, including:

• migrating the users (also waiting on the Single Sign On implementation)
• migrating the ‘e-commerce’ system (used for buying the exams)
• building a new Certified User directory
• migrating and updating the User Dashboard and underlying information.
• migrating and updating the Supervisors Dashboard and underlying information.

General - By Chris Keen

Certification exam pricing

The price of an exam can differ per country, as it is based on the so-called Big Mac index.

Using this index we try to balance the exam price with the cost of living and earnings in a country. By creating this exam price equality, we hope not to exclude anyone based on the price of the exam.

In 2019 we improved and updated the pricing policy and presented this to the board for approval. The main change to the policy is the introduction of a uniform price for all EU countries. Up until July 2019, the prices in the EU could vary by up to $20 within the EU. After Board approval the new exam prices were introduced on 1st July 2019 valid until 30th June 2020. From July 2020, the prices will be adjusted (if necessary) based on the January 2020 Big Mac index.

Exams in 2019 

The number of exams and candidates in 2019 are significantly lower than in 2018. We think the main reason is that people were waiting for the release of version 4 and version 4 of the Administration exam. It is also possible that in the last two years most of those planning to qualify have now taken the Administrator exam.

In 2019 there were 16 exam sessions held with a total of 44 candidates (approximately 40 percent of those in 2018). The pass rate in 2019 was also lower at 34% (14 passes) compared to a 52% pass rate in 2018. We have successfully supported many of these exams remotely, some very early or late in our European day, for example at 7 am on a Sunday morning for an exam in Australia.

Exam locations

The  exams were held on four continents, in a total of ten countries (or states)

No. of exams, candidates and pass rate per continent: 

Exam results per language

The exams were held at least once in all of the six available languages

 No. of Candidates per language and passes

Conclusion

The JCP has had a productive year and is working hard to simplify the JCP platform for both us and end users, such as exam candidates and exam session administrators. We have had a reasonable amount of exams this year, but compared to last year the number of candidates has been quite low, and the pass rate even lower.

JCP goals for 2020

The first and most important goal for the JCP in 2020 is to complete the migration to the Certification site, including making use of the new exam platform to offer the current exams.

The second goal is being able to offer an J!4 Administration certification. This means updating and/or rewriting the English versions of the Q&A’s for J!4. After successful testing, we will offer the exam first only in English. If this is successful we will then translate the Q&A’s into the other five existing languages currently offered. We are of course dependant on the release of J!4 for this.

We are also researching the possibility of adding new exam types in the future. We are still in the idea phase. As soon as we have concrete plans we will share these with the community.

The JCP ‘Did you know.. ' campaign was a success in 2019. The campaign was discussed with the Social Marketing Team at the ‘FftF’, with the intention of continuing this in 2020.