You’ve been preparing all these weeks and months for the CPA Exam; you should also take some time to prepare for the testing experience itself. Knowing and understanding the process at Prometric testing center will help reduce your exam-day stress.
What should you expect at Prometric?
When you walk into the testing center, you will be greeted by a Test Center Administrator (TCA) who will help you with the check-in process.
The TCA will assign you a locker and provide you a locker key. You will be required to put all personal items in the locker. You will be permitted to keep your ID and key with you.
Prometric testing centers utilize a biometric process to validate your identity; this includes scanning your government-issued ID, verifying the photo on the ID, and capturing your fingerprint. On your first visit, they will capture multiple fingerprint images: three from your right hand and three from your left hand.
You will be asked to empty and turn your pockets inside out prior to every entry into the test room to confirm that you have no prohibited items.
You will also be scanned with a hand-held metal detector wand. During the check-in process, the testing center will inspect any and all eyeglasses, jewelry and other accessories to look for camera devices that could be used to capture exam content. You will be required to remove your eyeglasses for close visual inspection. These inspections will take a few seconds and will be done at check-in and again upon return from breaks before you enter the testing room to ensure you do not violate any security protocol.
Jewelry outside of wedding and engagement rings is prohibited. Please do not wear other jewelry to the test center. Hair accessories and ties are subject to inspection. Please refrain from using ornate clips, combs, barrettes, headbands, tie clips, cuff links and other hair accessories as you may be prohibited from wearing them in to the testing room and asked to store them in your locker. Violation of security protocol may result in the confiscation of prohibited devices and termination of your exam. You will be continuously monitored by video and physical observations. All testing sessions are recorded.
You must present valid (unexpired) and acceptable ID(s) in order to take your test. Note: Your name on your ID must match the name you provided on your application and that appears on your NTS (Notice to Schedule).
New candidate-friendly break policy reminders
Prometric testing centers continue to enhance security controls for their global network of test centers. As a result, they have implemented candidate-friendly reminders that will help candidates better understand what they are allowed to do during breaks. In test centers, candidates will notice signage similar to what is shown below when accessing lockers.
Candidates will need to take note of the color coding designations because prior to the computer check in process, a color tag will be attached to your locker key. It will serve as a visual reminder of the permissible activities during breaks, such as having access to the locker, food, beverages and medication.
Here are some do’s and don’ts for the testing center:
- You cannot bring any notes, published materials, or calculators into the exam.
- You are allowed to bring soft earplugs or center-supplied tissues in the test room.
- Any clothing or jewelry items allowed to be worn in the test room must remain on your person at all times.
- Removed clothing or jewelry items must be stored in your locker.
- You cannot bring hats, food, drinks, purses, briefcases, notebooks, pages, watches, cell phones, recording devices, or photographic equipment into the testing center.
Other tips:
- Select a testing time that works best for you. If you are not a morning person, do not schedule your exam at 8:00 a.m.!
- Do a test run. Drive to the testing location at the same time of day that you will be taking your actual exam. This helps you understand the traffic pattern and volume.
- Give yourself plenty of time to get to the testing center. Plan to be there at least 30 minutes prior to your scheduled start time. The start time on your NTS is the time the exam in scheduled to start, not the time you should arrive.
- If the location is a far distance from your home, plan to stay in a hotel.
- Don’t stay up late the night before studying. Get a good night’s sleep if at all possible.
- Eat a healthy meal before the exam.
- For additional information on the Prometric testing center and to schedule your exam, please visit the Prometric website at www.prometric.com.
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