ECE - Pearson Vue

[burbuja0512]

I just wanted to give everyone a warning about scheduling tests with Pearson Vue. I thought that it would be simple and relatively quick, just like with my CLEP/DSST testing centers - NOT AT ALL!!! I have been studying Labor Relations for a little over a week and was feeling ready to take the test, so here's what happened:

First of all, I had to pay EC first for the exam and then wait 48 hours for the info to get to Pearson Vue. That's really not bad, and I didn't have a problem with that minor delay. I called EC and paid on Tuesday so exactly 48 hours later today I called to schedule my exam. HOLY COW it was crazy!! The earliest time they have is on MARCH 29 at 5:00pm. I was even willing to drive 50 miles to a different center, but it was just as bad.

I am so glad I didn't wait until the last minute on this one. I could see something like this delaying graduation. I'm also bummed because I wanted to get this test out of the way before my capstone class starts on 3/14 because I know I'll be busy with assignments and won't have much study time.


Anyhow... I don't know if it's just the Pearson Vue centers in Colorado, but I do hope someone out there can learn from my mistake. If I had it to do over again, I would schedule the test before I started studying to allow plenty of time. Ha ha ... now I'm just hoping that I don't forget all the stuff I've studied so far.

[creative]

I feel your pain--- I had the same experience with my PearsonVue. I was so use to the simplicity of Clep and Dsst that PearsonVue was a total shock. I could not believe how far in advance they were booked at Pearson Vue. You definitely have to plan for the ECE's very carefully to time it to coincide with your studying. The reason Pearson is like this is because they conduct hundreds of different types of tests (not just ECE)--- Medical Boards, Dental Boards, Real Estate, Insurance, and the list goes on and on. My PearsonVue is open 7 days a week, 12 hours a day, and totally booked like a month in advance. And good luck trying to get a weekend spot. Fortunately, I can test during the week so that wasn't a factor for me. But I will say PearsonVue is highly professional place-- very tight security, all your stuff put in a locker, check your ID and take palm prints of your hand etc. They are professional and well run in my opinion. I am glad you posted this thread to give others a head's up!!

[marianne202]

I'm sorry about your experience. First of all you can register online with Pearson Vue and see far in advance the test dates and availability. You also can usually register for the exam within 24 hours after you pay for your exam through EC. I would pay for my exam when I knew I would or had to take it, then I would login the next day to the Pearson Vue website and register for a test date that looked good. If I wasn't ready as that test day neared I would just reschedule it online. I once talked to Pearson Vue corportate because I had a hard time scheduling online as all the dates were full, but when I got to the test center it was empty and the staff was complaining it has been so slow for weeks! I could have tested sooner. The staff complained the online scheduling is flawed, but I was never able to get my local center to call me back when I left a message. Corporate stated online is the best way to schedule, unless you need a same day or next day appt. then the center would know about cancellations over the online system. Pearson Vue is very different from the CLEP/DSST centers I have tested at, but they are more professional. If you do another ECE, just pay as soon as you know you will have to take the exam and register with PV in advance, then move your date if you need to down the line. Less stress that way! Good luck!

[burbuja0512]

Lol... it sounds like a good business to get into. I wonder how much a Pearson Vue franchise costs! Just hire a few employees that used to work at airport security, buy a few computers and you're set.. nice Just watch the students line up and the $$$$ roll in.

[Chebasaz]

Don't do it!

I was one of the founders and still a proctor for a Pearson Vue center down here and the hoops you have to jump through are unbelievable. Once you're up and running it's a constant stream of headaches and aggravation. For example - I just got an Email a week or two ago about a tester caught taking a picture of the screen with a cellphone. We got audited for that one, but it was cleared up quickly enough with minimal downtime.

For the last five years I've been trying to get our site authorized for ECE's, but Excelsior just isn't biting. Evidently you have to be a Regional Vue site whereas we're just a "whatever" APO site. We can give all sorts of IT certifications and EMT exams, but no educational exams.

The local college is authorized for CLEPs and DSST's (through Prometric), but they aren't authorized ECE's because they won't hire someone to install the webcams. I've offered to do it for free and have been turned down. They say it violates a contract. Ridiculous, but we've been stuck with paper exams for so long it really doesn't matter I guess.

[april004]

I remember the same shock having to schedule my ECE's. With Clep and DSST, I pretty much just told the test administrator I was coming and that was that.

Pearson much different. Granted I didn't hvae to wait as long as some people, but no such thing as a walk in with Pearson Vue.


And yes, they do alot of testing, someone mentioned medical boards, etc. So quite busy than the clep and Dsst centers I'd go to at a community college.

I was also surprised at the security. Fingerprints, photos taken. I was half expecting them to ask for a urine and drug sample and pat me down!

[burbuja0512]

So, the plan was this: Take Labor Relations ECE, then do Capstone and while I'm doing capstone, take my time to do 8 credits worth of FEMA's. Having to wait until I'm in the middle of the Capstone to do my ECE really screws up the plans.


SO... I just decided that rather than try to attempt 8 credits worth of FEMA's at the same time that I'm doing my Capstone class and also studying for Labor Relations, I'm just going to go take a few quick tests before the Capstone starts this coming Monday.

I called and scheduled Principles of Supervision for tomorrow *yikes* and Intro to Biz on Monday morning. Lol.. hope it goes ok.

Also, sorry to hear that others have had Pearson issues, but glad to hear I'm not the only one. And Justin, I didn't realize you had the experience with them. Very interesting.

[alleycat]

So, the plan was this: Take Labor Relations ECE, then do Capstone and while I'm doing capstone, take my time to do 8 credits worth of FEMA's. Having to wait until I'm in the middle of the Capstone to do my ECE really screws up the plans.


SO... I just decided that rather than try to attempt 8 credits worth of FEMA's at the same time that I'm doing my Capstone class and also studying for Labor Relations, I'm just going to go take a few quick tests before the Capstone starts this coming Monday.

I called and scheduled Principles of Supervision for tomorrow *yikes* and Intro to Biz on Monday morning. Lol.. hope it goes ok.

Also, sorry to hear that others have had Pearson issues, but glad to hear I'm not the only one. And Justin, I didn't realize you had the experience with them. Very interesting.

You should be all set with those 2 exams.

[P00057870]

I had no problems but then I chose to plan ahead - as setting the date of the test a few weeks or a month ahead kept me on schedule. If a goal is not set, waiting until the last minute may mean I never get to it.

[HorseManiac]

I just wanted to give everyone a warning about scheduling tests with Pearson Vue. I thought that it would be simple and relatively quick, just like with my CLEP/DSST testing centers - NOT AT ALL!!! I have been studying Labor Relations for a little over a week and was feeling ready to take the test, so here's what happened:

First of all, I had to pay EC first for the exam and then wait 48 hours for the info to get to Pearson Vue. That's really not bad, and I didn't have a problem with that minor delay. I called EC and paid on Tuesday so exactly 48 hours later today I called to schedule my exam. HOLY COW it was crazy!! The earliest time they have is on MARCH 29 at 5:00pm. I was even willing to drive 50 miles to a different center, but it was just as bad.

I am so glad I didn't wait until the last minute on this one. I could see something like this delaying graduation. I'm also bummed because I wanted to get this test out of the way before my capstone class starts on 3/14 because I know I'll be busy with assignments and won't have much study time.


Anyhow... I don't know if it's just the Pearson Vue centers in Colorado, but I do hope someone out there can learn from my mistake. If I had it to do over again, I would schedule the test before I started studying to allow plenty of time. Ha ha ... now I'm just hoping that I don't forget all the stuff I've studied so far.

Wow, sorry you had to deal with all of that! I will definitely keep this in mind if and when I have to take an ECE! Thanks.