Reimagining Smart Exam Development with Anna Rubin from Cisco

In this episode of Tried and Tested, host Isabelle Gonthier, PSI’s Chief Assessment Officer, sits down at the Conference on Test Security (COTS) with Anna Rubin, Manager of Professional Certification Programs at Cisco. Together, they explore the evolving landscape of test development, test security, and the operational strategies behind protecting one of the world’s most recognized certification programs.

Anna shares her 30-year journey across credentialing, from early work in educational measurement to leading exam innovation at Cisco. She breaks down the organization’s “smart exam development” approach—using templates, frames, and performance-based labs to strengthen exam quality while reducing exposure risk. The conversation also touches on AI-driven pool expansion, the role of SMEs in validating generative outputs, and the balance between rigor and fairness for the minimally qualified candidate.

From commercial cheating threats to the growing impact of AI on data integration and detection, Anna highlights the industry’s need for collaboration and collective action—especially through groups like the Credentialing Integrity Action Alliance.

Whether you’re modernizing a certification program, enhancing your security strategy, or exploring the future of assessment, this episode offers practical insights into safeguarding integrity while elevating the test-taker experience.