Check-In Process
Plan to arrive at your test center at least 30 minutes before your exam start time. To check in, you’ll need to:
- Show two acceptable forms of ID (as defined above).
- Provide your signature.
- Submit to a palm vein scan (unless it’s prohibited by law).
- Have your photo taken. Hats, scarves and coats may not be worn for your photo. You also can’t wear these items in the test room.
- Leave your personal belongings outside the testing room. You’ll have access to secure storage. Storage space is small, so plan ahead. Pearson VUE test centers do not assume responsibility for your personal belongings.
The Test Administrator (TA) will give you a short orientation. Then, the TA will escort you to a computer terminal.
Exam Assistance and Breaks
You must remain in your seat during the exam, unless the staff says it’s okay for you to get up. You may not change your computer terminal unless a TA directs you to do so.
Raise your hand to notify the TA if you:
- Believe you have a problem with your computer.
- Need to change note boards.
- Need to take a break.
- Need the administrator for any reason.
Your total exam time includes any unscheduled breaks you may take. All breaks count against your testing time. You must leave the testing room during your break. However, you may not leave the building or access any personal belongings unless absolutely necessary (such as for retrieving medication).
When you take a break, you’ll be required to submit to a palm vein scan before and after your break.
Testing Environment
Pearson VUE test centers administer many types of exams. Some exams have written responses (such as essays). The test centers have no control over the sounds of people typing on keyboards next to you. Typing noise is a normal part of a computerized testing environment. It’s like the noise of turning pages in a paper-and-pencil testing environment.
Earplugs are available upon request.
When You Finish Your Exam
After you finish, raise your hand to summon the TA. The TA will let you go when you’ve met all the requirements.
Be sure to notify your TA before you leave the test center if:
- You believe there was an irregularity in how your test was run or
- Irregular testing conditions had a negative effect on the outcome of your exam
Technical Issues
On rare occasions, the test center may have technical problems. You may need to reschedule your cybersecurity exam.
If technical issues cause you to wait more than 30 minutes after your scheduled exam start time, or your exam starts and then stops with a delay of more than 30 minutes, you’ll have the choice of continuing to wait or rescheduling with no additional fee:
- If you choose not to reschedule and take the test after your delay, your test results will count. You’ll have no further recourse.
- If you choose to wait but change your mind before starting (or restarting) your exam, you can take the exam at a later date at no extra cost.
- If you choose to reschedule or the technical problem can’t be fixed, you’ll be allowed to test at a later date at no extra charge.
We know your time is valuable. If your test center identifies technical problems before your exam, they’ll make every attempt to contact you.