The Truth Behind Online & Onsite Testing using Pearson Vue and onVue Systems
Onsite Testing – Pearson Vue Onsite Centre.
Many of us In the IT industry have at some point in our career have been required to either go to an exam Centre or take a proctored exam online. Pearson Vue offers two forms of testing based on different certification programs. For many it’s a question of convenience for some it’s a question of personal preference,
Pearson Vue have always offered onsite testing to candidates sense 1994 across the world, so this form of testing has been around 30 years , this involved a candidate going to an onsite testing facility to undertake their exam for a specified provider , the procedure is you arrive 30 minutes early for your exam , you usually check in with the exam administrator your usually asked to put your personal effects into a locker once completed the exam centre administrator will ask you to provide two form of verification usually a passport and a drivers licence , once completed they will ask you to stand against a white background and taken a portrait picture of your head and body , this is then attached to your score report at the end of the exam , in some rare cases for specific providers they will ask you to provide a palm / finger scan for additional identification.
Once you have completed the check in process the exam administrator will escort you to your specified workstation to checking and sign your no disclaimer electronically all in all this process from check in to signing your nondisclosure agreement can take up to 15 minutes. Once completed you then choose to begin your exam. Once you have completed your exam you click the finish exam button and within a minute your exam will close, you then go and collect your personal belongings from your locker and your exam administrator provides you with a printed report which they fold before giving it to you. That’s it you’ve completed your onsite experience at a testing centre.
So, what’s the benefit of onsite testing?… ultimately it comes down to 2 items I’ve found.
Less stress – sometimes exam stress can be a factor, and this is why people choose onsite testing as there guaranteed to have little to no issues with the testing experience.
Simple exams check in process – the exam check in process onsite is fully coached by the exam administrator and it’s a very personal experience with no issues during check in process as exam administrator is them to help you in person.
So, what’s the drawback of onsite testing?… ultimately it comes down to 1 item I’ve found.
Travel to testing site – often travelling to a dedicated site might mean candidates have to travel for hours or stay overnight to facilitate taking an exam country and location dependent sometimes this just not work based on individuals’ locations so this is usually the reason candidates don’t do onsite testing.
Online Testing – Pearson Vue onVue testing
Pearson Vue started offering online testing to candidates’ sense 2008 across the world so this form of testing has been around for over 16 years allot younger than its onsite testing program which has been around 30 years. This involved a candidate using their personal laptop or desktop to undertake their exam online, the procedure is you arrive 30 minutes early for your exam, usually its recommended you have a dedicated testing space at home in a room that has nothing in it that violates the testing policies. I usually recommended candidates have a dedicated testing space with a simple square table, internet access via Wi-Fi strong connection of at least 50 up and 50 down speeds, a chair, and no personal possessions around them that could essentially cause any issues in their exam check in process. I usually recommend that candidates have a dedicated laptop which has only a licenced copy of windows 11, fully up to date with the relevant Pearson onVue software loaded.
I usually recommend candidates ensure their microphone, internet and speakers are all tested prior to each exam to ensure a smooth check in process. So the check in process for online entails a candidate to check in 30 minutes prior, there asked to download the onVue proctoring software and run a system test which consists of microphone, speakers, webcam and internet speed, once completed the candidate is asked to enter their phone number and scan an onscreen qr code , this allows them to continue with the check in process from their phone.
With their phone there asked to take a selfie of themselves , front and back picture of government issued id and then take 4 pictures of their testing space , left of room , right of room , front of testing space desk , back of testing space desk , once all these are completed and accepted their asked to return to the onVue check in page and click refresh , onVue performs a final system and or integrity check when the candidate clicks test system this takes 2 minutes , once no issues are found their put inline to be greeted by the Proctor , now is when you put away your phone and keep it on silent away from your desk. On a rare occasion you may be spoken to by your proctor at this stage should something not match, normally they will just initiate your exam session and load the onVue lock system, you then sign your non-disclosure agreement electronically and begin your exam. Once finished you will be given the finish exam button you click this and within a minute your score report / result is shown on screen , you’ll be greeted with a congratulations screen or a sorry screen depending on your exam result , don’t worry this report will normally be available in your person Vue account with 5 minutes so no need to save it , once reviewed you can end your exam , Pearson usually asks you to complete a survey and when completed you can click finish survey only once you have completed this and clicked finished is your exam over , do not forget to click finish on survey , then your free to leave your testing space.
So, what’s the benefit of online testing?… ultimately it comes down to 2 items I’ve found.
No traveling to exam Centre – this is often seen as a distinct advantage and can alleviate stress and pressure on candidates who want to take an exam but don’t have the means to travel , often this can be due to not having a licence to drive , poor public transport in their area or even it can be a cost associated with it taking time off to travel and stay at an overnight location to take the exam.
Convenience of taking exam at any time day or night – sometime time can be a factor the candidate may not have the luxury of taking time off work so nighttime exam slots are often utilized to allow them to take the exam at a more convenient time.
So, what’s the drawback of online testing?… ultimately it comes down to 1 item I’ve found.
Online testing can cause exam anxiety – so yes its true sometimes candidates can feel that online exams pose both a security risk and a personal safety risk to their mental state and often this results in candidates not taking online proctored exams also if your someone that gets distracted and or talks to themselves in an exam this can violate the exam security policies , often people find online exams more strict then in person so this may not be an option if you don’t like intense webcam and audio viewing of your personal space for hours on end.
My Overall Opinion and Experience with Pearson Vue
This ultimately boils down to personal preference both onsite and online offer some great flexibility but its dependent on each personal situation what suits one person may not suit another. Candidates often find onsite testing easier as they don’t need to worry about being monitored audio and visually by camera directly in front of their face although testing centres do have CCTV it’s not as intrusive as a webcam directly looking at you. Candidates often find online testing easier as they have the flexibility to take their exam at any time from the convenience of their home. Having been tested both in person and online I’ve found the online method to be easier in terms of flexibility , I can take my exam at any time day or night , I’ve taken many exams over the last 10 years and can assure anyone that all testing policies have been followed both onsite and online to the same standard , they key here will be to ensure you as a candidate know what to expect when testing both in person and online , Pearson Vue have some great content on this and I would encourage you to review this when making your exam testing preference decision.
Lastly remember the exam experience is only as good as it is if your following the correct procedures , failure to follow exam guidelines will result in you having your exam revoked both online and onsite always remember your candidate agreements and again breathe when you start your exam , I always remind myself that each exam is your first attempt so therefore if you pass an exam congratulation , and if you fail an exam its your first attempt at learning don’t forget to always read your score report at the end on both flip sides of the coin and best of luck in your next exam. Hopefully this has provided you with some valuable insight into taking your exam both online and onsite with Pearson Vue.
check out home.pearsonvue.com for more information
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