Suggestions on how to allow users to test out of a course?

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We are preparing to onboard 1000+ users into a course on how to use a tool. We have 2 main groups:

  • Users who have never used the tool
  • Users who have years of experience in the tool

The final test requires manual grading of a practical exam. We don't want the graders to have to grade 1000+ exams, but we also don't want to just give experienced users a badge without confirming they're experienced. Therefore we're looking for a way to design the course so that users have the ability to "test out" of doing the entire course.

 

Do you have suggestions on how to set up a learner path where users can choose their own adventure between:

  • Completing the entire module, followed by the practical exam
  • Completing a test/survey/something (?) that would either:
    • Confirm their expertise and grant them a badge; or
    • Confirm they do NOT have expertise, and funnel them back into the entire module/practical exam