Birmingham-based ProctorU, the world’s largest online exam security and identity management company, and Ottawa-based Yardstick Assessment Strategies, the leader in psychometrics and computer-based examination administration for professional testing organizations, have merged to form a new parent brand, Meazure Learning, establishing the world’s most secure testing network and platform.
The merger positions both ProctorU and Yardstick for rapid expansion in both professional testing and higher education using ProctorU’s industry-leading approach to security and identity management, the companies said in a common press release.
Interestingly, in conjunction with the merger, Meazure Learning has raised more than US$30 million in growth capital led by Eastside Partners, enabling both the companies to make additional investments in technology and services.
Issuing a statement on the development, Scott McFarland, CEO of ProctorU who has also been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the newly formed Meazure Learning, said,
“ProctorU and Yardstick have already proven themselves as leaders in their respective markets, and now, by integrating both companies’ unique offerings and strengths together, we’re poised to truly transform those markets.”
According to the press release, both ProctorU and Yardstick will continue to operate under their respective brands. While ProctorU will continue its leadership and focus in higher education, Yardstick will serve as Meazure’s market-leading professional testing business unit. The release further mentioned that Yardstick’s management team and headquarters will continue to be based in Canada, with planned expansions for its locations in Ottawa, Toronto and Edmonton, and ProctorU will maintain its headquarters in Birmingham, Alabama, and offices throughout the United States.
The release maintained that in recent years both ProctorU and Yardstick have seen increasing demand for online testing solutions in the professional testing and credentialing markets, and that both companies independently recognized the strong potential for growth in the space. Now that they are merged, Meazure Learning is equipped to deliver a complete, end-to-end online testing solution – incorporating psychometrics, test development, test delivery, secure proctoring, reporting and more – designed specifically to meet the demands of the market.
Isabelle Gonthier, President of Yardstick and appointed leader of Meazure Learning’s professional testing business unit, said that ProctorU’s technology will bring enhanced security to physical test center delivery.
“By adding ProctorU’s technology and suite of secure proctoring solutions to the Yardstick platform, we are now able to bring enhanced security to physical test center delivery, as well as offering improved service and security for clients seeking and using remote testing.”
Meazure Learning’s full suite of customizable, leading-edge online testing solutions allow test takers to complete their tests virtually anywhere and at any time, while ensuring the greatest possible exam security. As the first full-service testing provider to offer a secure online delivery model, the company is uniquely well-positioned to meet the evolving demands of this quickly growing market.
Benjamin Cobb, Chairman of Meazure Learning, also commented saying,
“Clients like Google, CompTIA, Chartered Accountants of Ireland and many others have made significant bets on the future of learning, and have partnered with ProctorU to help them achieve their goals. At the same time, Yardstick customers have leveraged Yardstick’s psychometric and test development services, and developed and delivered the highest-stakes exams possible using flexible and secure technologies such as Measure, Redpen and Itematic. Together, we are excited to offer an unrivalled end-to-end assessment platform, capable of test development, exam delivery and the highest levels of exam integrity. The collective people and technologies allow us to bring new and better solutions to the global market.”
Meanwhile, online professional testing market – valued at US$3 billion – is said to be likely to grow rapidly in the next five to ten years, as professional training and credentialing leaders continue to take advantage of remote proctoring’s increased flexibility for test takers, as well as its increased security and test integrity compared to traditional models.
