Most of us are familiar with the idea that a 70% score means “passing.” Over time, that number has become an assumed benchmark for success on exams and assessments. However, professional, role-based certification exams have a different standard.
At SailPoint, we take a deliberate, structured approach to setting each exam passing score; one that reflects the knowledge and skills required to perform the role effectively. This approach, standard across the certification and credentialing industry, ensures each passing score is fair, defensible, and aligned to job performance.
To do this, we rely on a method commonly known as a Contrasting Groups Study (often referred to as a beta exam at SailPoint). The most important aspect of this approach is that it doesn’t happen in isolation; it requires real people with real experience.
For each beta exam, we recruit who accurately reflect the audience of the exam; placing them into one of two groups:
- minimally qualified for the job role (individuals within this group may have about a year of hands-on experience)
- above minimally qualified for the job role (individuals within this group include more seasoned professionals, bringing several years of real-world expertise)
This distinction is based on how closely a candidate’s skills and experience align with the role’s job task analysis, using defined criteria rather than subjective judgment.
Setting the SailPoint standard
At SailPoint, we intentionally aim for balanced representation from both groups to ensure meaningful results. As with any real-world role, experience levels vary, and the goal of the beta exam is to capture that range, not to guarantee outcomes for any individual test taker.
Once a beta testing exam window is complete, SailPoint’s exam development team analyzes the results to ensure the exam passes quality, clarity, and relevance requirements. These findings are then reviewed with subject matter experts, who help determine and set the passing standard: the minimum level of knowledge and skill required to perform the role effectively and responsibly.
We designed this process to balance rigor, fairness, and real-world applicability, while evolving over time as roles and technologies change. Our goal is not to make an exam artificially easy or unnecessarily difficult. We take much care to ensure our certification exams accurately reflect the crossroad where expected job readiness and actual exam performance meet; resulting in a passing score that accurately reflects competence in the role.
And there’s a real benefit for those who participate. Candidates who pass a beta exam earn their certification badge at no cost, once the exam officially launches.
We recently completed this process for the SailPoint Certified Identity Security Administrator Certification. The exam is now live, the result of months of collaboration and dedication from the subject matter experts who helped shape it from the very beginning. We are proud to contribute to raising the bar for professional certification and advancing standards across the identity security industry.
