ISA | Performance Domains

CCST Knowledge and Skills

The development of a valid examination for the CCST certification process began with a clear and concise definition of the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for competent job performance. Using interviews, surveys, observation, and group discussions, ISA worked with control systems technicians and supervisors to delineate critical job components. The knowledge and skill bases for the questions on the examination were derived from the actual practice of control systems technicians as outlined in the 2002 CCST Role Delineation Study.

CCST test specifications were developed by combining the overall survey evaluations of importance, frequency, and criticality, and converting the results into percentages. Importance, frequency, and criticality ratings were weighted equally in this computation. These percentages are used to determine the number of questions related to each domain and task, as shown in the chart below.

Download the CCST Knowledge and Skills (PDF file, 75kb)

More details on training available to help you prepare for the CCST exam.

The percentage of questions per domain is based on each domain's relative importance and criticality in terms of what control systems technicians are expected to know while performing their jobs.

The following table indicates the percentage of questions appearing on the exams as they relate to each domain:

CCST Performance Domains and Test Specifications

The CCST Level I, II, and III exams are weighted by a varying number of questions per domain. The table below outlines the percentage of questions that comes from each domain by level.

Domain	Level I %	Level II %	Level III %
I. Calibration	31%	22%	19%
II. Loop Checking	21%	14%	13%
III. Troubleshooting	32%	22%	21%
IV. Start-Up	16%	12%	11%
V. Maintenance/Repair	N/A	20%	20%
VI. Project Organization	N/A	10%	8%
VII. Administration	N/A	N/A	8%