Dr. Sarah Schnabel uses expertise in psychometrics and assessment in the online MESA program

Dr. Sarah Schnabel is an expert in the field of psychometrics and assessment. She currently serves as the Director of Psychometrics and Assessment for the American Board of Ophthalmology. With a robust career dedicated to advancing the science and practice of assessment, Dr. Schnabel brings a wealth of knowledge and practical experience to her role.

Earning her Master of Education in Measurement, Evaluation, Statistics, and Assessment (MESA) and PhD in Educational Psychology from the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), Dr. Schnabel adds value to UIC’s academic community by working as an adjunct professor. Teaching the online MESA program’s EPSY 562: Large Scale Testing course, her dedication to both practical application and academic success offers invaluable insights to her students.

Dr. Schnabel encourages her students to forge connections within the online learning community and highlights the importance of effective project management. Her career path showcases her contributions to psychometrics, which inspires others striving to excel. Learn more about her background and her involvement in UIC’s online MESA program.

Tell us a little about yourself.

I have an undergraduate degree in psychology, and after finishing that, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. I knew I loved school and wanted to go to graduate school. By happenstance, I started working at an assessment organization, initially as an administrative assistant. This organization introduced me to the field of psychometrics, which combines my love of psychology with my affinity for math and statistics.

I learned about UIC’s online MESA program from a couple of colleagues. This exposure set me on the path to educational psychology and psychometrics. I transitioned my master’s degree in MESA into a role in the test development department at the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. After six years there, I moved to the American Board of Ophthalmology, where I’ve been a full-time psychometrician for the past ten years.

Can you talk about your experience in psychometrics and assessment?

I work full-time in licensure and certification testing and part-time as an adjunct professor at UIC. I’m proud of my contributions to professional guidelines and best practices in testing. Notably, I’ve worked on longitudinal assessment practices for recertification with medical certification boards and collaborated with the Institute of Credentialing Excellence to define the NCCA standards, which set best practices for certification organizations. Being part of these initiatives and contributing to the design of effective assessments has been a significant achievement for me.

What aspects of psychometrics and assessment continue to inspire and motivate you in your work?

I think psychometrics and assessment is such an interesting field because it really blends art and science. You need to understand data and statistics, but you also need to have strong communication skills. It’s important to be able to talk to subject matter experts and understand what we’re trying to test. This field is the perfect blend of two different skill sets, and we must be good at both to do any kind of work in this field. I am inspired and motivated by all of the people I work with, especially the volunteer subject matter experts. They are engaged and willing to give back to their fields of study in their “spare time.”

What is your advice for students interested in pursuing this field or specifically the online MESA program?

I have two pieces of advice. For the online MESA students, my first piece of advice is that it’s crucial to make connections with your classmates. For networking with classmates in an online program, start by engaging in discussion boards or introductions at the beginning of a course. Find common interests or ask about their experiences. Exchange email addresses and collaborate, especially before tests or paper deadlines. While you’ll receive all the material and learn from excellent professors, collaborating and relying on fellow students for help, advice, or as a sounding board is essential.

My second piece of advice is to always save all your books and notes. I still have notes from every course I took, and I often refer to them. The information you learn in the online MESA program is invaluable, so never throw anything away.

What is the most important thing you have learned about having a successful career that you would like to pass on to people considering this field?

I think the education at UIC in the online MESA program is exceptional because it teaches best practices and theory while also providing real-world examples. The fact that adjunct professors like me work in the field full-time and teach on the side adds valuable practical experience to the program. This balance of academic knowledge and real-world experience that the UIC faculty brings to the program is unparalleled.

For those entering this field, understanding project management is crucial. I remember someone telling me this when I was a first semester MESA student. As a MESA graduate, we know how to create the best test, but it requires extensive time and resources. Learning how to navigate the scope and balance of competing priorities with project management skills is very important.