The Market Research Society

MRS needed a secure and reliable way to move its Advanced Certificate examination online, replacing a paper-based process that involved multiple in-person exam venues and significant administration.

By partnering with TestReach, MRS has created a more flexible candidate experience, reduced the risks associated with paper examinations and recovered approximately four weeks of staff time each year.

• Approximately four weeks of exam administrative time saved each year
• Secure and flexible exam delivery for candidates in the UK and internationally
• Digital scripts distributed to examiners more quickly and securely
• Responsive candidate support managed directly by TestReach

“TestReach has given me a month of my life back every year.” Melissa Coghlan, Professional Development Manager, MRS

MRS is the professional body and regulator for the research, data and insight sector. It represents Individual Members and Company Partners, and sets the Code of Conduct that protects and regulates both research participants and the professionals conducting research.

MRS offers two principal qualifications: An introductory MRS Certificate - assessed through an online multiple-choice exam and the Advanced Certificate in Market and Social Research Practice. This is a Degree level vocational qualification is designed for those who have just entered or are seeking to enter the research, insights and analytics sector, working in the areas of commercial market and/or social research.

Advanced Certificate candidates complete a 4,000-word integrated assignment and a two-and-a-half-hour examination. MRS delivers two Advanced Certificate assessment rounds each year, in January and June.

As the Awarding Body MRS accredits external centres and employers to provide programmes of learning towards its qualifications.

Before TestReach, MRS delivered the Advanced Certificate exam on paper. Candidates attended test centres in London, Manchester or Glasgow, with additional arrangements for candidates in locations globally.

For every exam cycle, the MRS team had to:

• Book venues and coordinate invigilators and candidates
• Print exam papers and manually number scripts
• Collect and send completed papers and scripts to examiners by recorded delivery
• Arrange for scripts to be securely returned to MRS HQ

Administration was significant in terms of the time involved and the importance of ensuring the secure distribution of exam materials. Each script represented months of work for the candidate, and MRS had to rely on physical documents moving safely between venues, assessment teams and its offices.

The paper-based format also pressurised candidates, for example having to travel to a fixed venue at a set time, sometimes facing disruption caused by bad weather or transport strikes. They were also required to handwrite answers for two and a half hours, despite being more accustomed to working digitally.

When the COVID-19 pandemic made test centre delivery impossible, MRS needed to move the exam online quickly, recognising that the paper-based model was no longer sustainable.

“We were overdue a change. COVID nudged us forward, but once we experienced online delivery and saw how TestReach preserved test integrity while removing a huge amount of administration, we were never going back.”

MRS selected TestReach to provide secure online assessment and live remote proctoring for the Advanced Certificate examination.

Candidates can now sit the exam from a suitable location of their own choice without travelling to a test centre. This has made the qualification more accessible to candidates throughout the UK and internationally, while providing a modern exam experience that reflects how people work today.

The TestReach Project Management team has supported MRS throughout the assessment journey from setting up the exam to enrolling candidates, preparing the assessments for approval, and managing exam-day delivery.

Having an all-in-one solution means that MRS has complete visibility across the exam lifecycle. During the exam, trained in-house TestReach proctors supervise MRS candidates while our award-winning support team handles all technical queries, taking that responsibility from the MRS team.

“On exam day, I know everything is in good hands. I don’t have to worry.”

Before TestReach	After TestReach
Candidate had to travel to test centres	Candidates can securely sit exams anywhere in the world
Extensive time, effort and expense to organise venues, invigilators and exam paper logistics	TestReach manages setup and administration, significantly reducing the MRS workload
Candidate queries on exam day were managed by MRS and its centres	TestReach handles candidate queries on exam day
Risk of losing completed exam scripts in transit	Digital scripts are protected and reach examiners more quickly
Inconsistent and inflexible candidate experiences	Smooth and streamlined candidate check in and exam day experience
Significant exam-day pressure	Exam days are calmer and easier to manage

MRS estimates that its previous paper-based process required approximately two additional weeks of staff time during each exam round. With two rounds each year, moving to TestReach has enabled MRS to recover around four weeks of time annually.

The change has transformed examination days. Previously, staff travelled to venues early in the morning for setup. On the day of the exam the MRS Team remains available but rarely needs to intervene, as TestReach manages delivery and candidate support. Candidates also receive a more consistent experience as our responsive proctors and support teams are well-equipped to help them from enrolment to exam completion.

“I trust TestReach. It makes the process smoother and easier, and I trust the support teams too. I’m never left waiting for the information I need.”

Finally, TestReach also works with MRS to manage last-minute requests, including additional candidate support and reasonable adjustments. Our open and proactive communication gives MRS the confidence that their assessments are in safe hands.

“TestReach delivers our examinations securely and supports our candidates throughout the process. Their expertise and responsiveness give us confidence that everything is in good hands, making the whole assessment process smoother and easier for us.”