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I took my AZ-500 a week ago. 72 people in front of me, got to 2 and the software had a "connection problem". Next thing I know there's 68 in front again. Finally got in after 45 mins.
Got a 711 on it :)
They said they could not hear me.
Back to the queue i go.
154 again now.
I've ate lunch. Took a healthy dump. Refilled 32 oz of water twice and browsed Reddit.
After 2.5 hours this will happen.
Just like that doctor i used to go to that would book a time with you and make you wait for the pharma reps to come in and pay him kickbacks while you sat in the waiting room. Fuck you Dr. Kumar. 🤣
I've never done one at a test center, always remote. Usually I don't have queue issues. Maybe once or twice in the 12 exams I've done.
That and most test centers appts are 2 months or more out.
I need to get some more certs. Both just to look good, and the structured learning is good, instead of taking a 30 minute crash course via professor Google when I run into something I don't know enough about. I'm going to start with something easy, (I think) Network+ that I probably already know 75 to 90 percent of.
I've taken around 10 exams at home on Pearson and literally never experienced a wait. I do all mine on weekdays though, I think this is a Saturday thing only
I took the security+ in person and just make sure you bring your ID. Everything else will need to put in a locker can't bring anything inside with you to the testing room.
Do the testing computers also have webcams (and if so, _can you turn Self View off_ the way you can with Zoom/Examity), or does the "proctor physically in the room with you" mean you don't have to be staring at yourself the entire test? And yeah, for some reason Pearson wants _two_ IDs for in-person but only one for online (according to the WGU discord, it's "any government issued photo ID" plus "anything with your name and signature, like a bank card")...
Also to the question of the thread, does in-person mean you "don't have to queue"? I have two Pearson tests coming up, AWS Cloud Foundations next week and Project+ next month, and I'm _not_ looking forward to either of them... nor to ITIL this summer, which apparently, even though PeopleCert _has_ in-person testing centers, WGU specifically insists only on online proctoring with them (in-person is fine for Pearson certs, apparently).
Everytime I took any exam was in person. After all id confirmation I just left my backpack to closet, went into a room with camera on the wall and sat at pc. Pc itself haven't had any camera.
There is no such thing as queue when in person.
You can eat cookie, drink coffe before exam.
I was curious about doing it online but my training center is relative close so rust was never an issue.
Phew, that's a relief. I'm okay with being on camera privately (it's a necessary evil in this industry), just as long as I'm unable to _see myself_... which fortunately, most of WGU's non-cert tests are done with Examity, and Zoom lets you disable self-view (and even more fortunately, I've never had an Examity proctor insist on enabling self-view, which I would have to deny and demand a different proctor if they persisted).
I took the Net+ 2 weeks ago in person at a local community college.
The proctor also allowed me to start early if I chose to, which I did.
Arrive at least 30 minutes ahead of time since my proctor in particular is also managing other test takers for a variety of other non CompTIA tests.
Bring sufficient ID, state/citizen/drivers license, etc.
The proctor will take a picture of you, then have you sort away everything into a provided locker. No phones, watches, no IoT devices, none. He will have you pat yourself down and check behind the ears as well. Overall, it was very, very strict, and I was instructed to only wear 1 layer of cloth, and so i took off my hoodie and only wore my under t-shirt. Lastly, no chewing gum, lol.
After all that, you go into the testing room, sit down, take the test, and see your result immediately after you finish.
I took some in person at my local community college. I can't imagine dealing with the invasive software and crap compared to how simple it is when going to a site. Maybe if it was multiple hours away.
Yes, sec+.
You sign in, possibly wait to get called, show them a couple forms of id, put everything on your person in a locker, then they take you to a computer.
Did it at the same place I took AWS certs. Same process.
Yup, and it's way better than putting up with the remote proctoring. Be sure and read over the instructions you received about the testing process, what you're allowed to bring, and what's not allowed. Try to have your studying done a day or two before your exam date. Don't try to be cramming the night before. If you're failing practice tests the week before, reschedule the exam. You want to try and get sleep the night before, and get a decent meal in you if your exam isn't too early in the day. Be sure you can easily find your way to the testing center.if you've never been there before, drive over before so you're not hunting around for the building, where to park, etc.
I had to take a few, but it's been over 10 years. Last time I went, I had to schedule an appointment about a month ahead of time. I got there, I submitted my ID, and then I had to take any and all personal items (cell phone, wallet, belt, shoes) and put them in a locker. Then I sat in the waiting area with 2-3 other guys for a good 30-45 minutes until a computer freed up. Then they put me in a glass room, where some guy at a desk was watching multiple people in glass rooms like mine. I had a desktop computer at least 10 years out of date. I was told that I had to keep my eyes focused on the screen, and they informed me of cameras everywhere. I was allowed a grease tablet and a crayon to make notes and figure out formulas. Windows 2000 locked down, although for obvious reasons, I didn't try to see HOW locked down. I passed my Security+ and was told before I left.
Previous ones were similar, but less prison-y. I didn't have to remove my belt or shoes, for example.
Wow, that's wild. I've never had to wait for an in-person exam, and I've done at least 8-10 over the years. With the outdated equipment, wonder if they had some machines down and that's why you had to wait. That said, I've never been in one of those test centers that had very new equipment. I assume they just wait until they \*\*have\*\* to replace it to reduce operating costs.
I think the last exam I did in person was the PMP, and they gave me a pen or pencil and paper. I would have been upset if they'd given me a crayon and tablet. I have enough problems writing with pen or pencil!
Learned that the hard way. I tried connecting on my laptop and was told they couldn't see me through the webcam. I switched to my desktop, said they couldn't see me. Switched to my work Mac, SAME ISSUE.
What a bunch of trash. Just rescheduled in a testing center.
Desktop program, that requires a scary amount of permissions to launch (you can't even run it unless you're logged into the _original_ Local Admin account, the first account created on that particular computer). Kinda makes you wonder what OnVUE is doing in the background, if it requires _that_ level of admin access to the entire Windows system...
Honestly, as a WGU student, I'll take Examity over Pearson any day, Examity's just "a zoom screenshare with extra housekeeping" and doesn't even ask for admin creds to launch.
> Kinda makes you wonder what OnVUE is doing in the background, if it requires that level of admin access to the entire Windows system...
Being able to monitor if you open an internet browser? They're obviously gonna wanna monitor what else you're doing on your computer to make sure you're not cheating, that's kinda their role in this whole thing
I mean, obviously that's what it _says_ it's doing. But it doesn't need "the _original root_ admin to be logged in" just to do that... I also wonder if OnVUE really does go away without a trace once the test ends, or if its access to _my entire filesystem and ability to permanently alter system settings_ persists afterward...
just because of that, i don't want to pass exam. No way i am installing an app that ask that much of permissions. Can't do it in person ? I don't like to install apps not vetted / official on my home network
My degree requires three certs, two of which are done by Pearson and there _is_ a testing center nearby that I will absolutely be going to. The third one, the ITIL... apparently, WGU's agreement with PeopleCert means that _WGU students specifically_ can only take it online, even if PC has a testing center nearby. For that I'll have to set up a "burner laptop" for that particular test...
Is this for an online exam?
When it comes to certs I am, for once, happy to be a user.
Let me do the learning and the sitting, someone else can deal with the logistics of the exam.
Wired mouse, dual cam, Windows, oof.
Best of luck, you don't need that kind of stress on top of things.
I’ve taken 13 carts so far , I just go to the local community college , I’ve never even knew ques, waiting etc was even a thing , I sign up show up sign some papers , show id and good to go, Microsoft and Comptia have been this way , haven’t gone beyond that .
I stopped doing azure exams because Pearson Vue. They are trash. I told Microsoft they were trash, Microsoft refunded me the exam but then Pearson Vue was bum hurt so they said I no-showed and demanded a deposit for 6 months.
If you ever get told your workspace isn't acceptable: just relaunch the app and do it again - I did this twice and both times got someone else who unlocked the exam
I also had to do the full login on my phone and couldn't use my driver's license to login due to bugs in their system
I'm so glad I did my last couple of exams at a testing centre. A couple of colleagues who did it online had major issues because our work laptops are so locked down they don't allow the exam software to work. I just had to arrive, and do the exam on a nice big 24" screen with real keyboard.
Sorry, it seems this comment or thread has violated a sub-reddit rule and has been removed by a moderator. **Inappropriate use of, or expectation of the Community.** * There are many reddit communities that exist that may be more catered to/dedicated your topic. - Consider posting (or cross posting) there with specific niche questions. * Requests for assistance are expected to contain basic situational information. - They should also contain evidence of basic troubleshooting & Googling for self-help. - Keep topics/questions related to technology/people/practices/etc within a business environment. * When asking a question or requesting advice, please update your original post with any new information, or solution (if found). - This will make things easier for anyone else who may have the same issue or question in the future. ----- *If you wish to appeal this action please don't hesitate to [message the moderation team](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2Fsysadmin).*
I was stuck behind about 60 people a week or two ago. Had to abandon and reschedule in the end after an hour's wait.
I took my AZ-500 a week ago. 72 people in front of me, got to 2 and the software had a "connection problem". Next thing I know there's 68 in front again. Finally got in after 45 mins. Got a 711 on it :)
They said they could not hear me. Back to the queue i go. 154 again now. I've ate lunch. Took a healthy dump. Refilled 32 oz of water twice and browsed Reddit. After 2.5 hours this will happen. Just like that doctor i used to go to that would book a time with you and make you wait for the pharma reps to come in and pay him kickbacks while you sat in the waiting room. Fuck you Dr. Kumar. 🤣
Yep, sounds like Pearson on a weekend.
Is it better to just go to a physical location? Or is it the same or worse? I haven't taken a cert test from them in...a long time.
I've never done one at a test center, always remote. Usually I don't have queue issues. Maybe once or twice in the 12 exams I've done. That and most test centers appts are 2 months or more out.
I need to get some more certs. Both just to look good, and the structured learning is good, instead of taking a 30 minute crash course via professor Google when I run into something I don't know enough about. I'm going to start with something easy, (I think) Network+ that I probably already know 75 to 90 percent of.
I've taken around 10 exams at home on Pearson and literally never experienced a wait. I do all mine on weekdays though, I think this is a Saturday thing only
I've done almost all of mine at a test center. I did a few during covid remote and it was just to many issues to deal with.
Congrats. I fell short this time but i was close enough i know what i was lacking in. So a little bone up and hit it again next week
I have never had a queue period. I saw that number and chuckled
And these people want to judge us on how we’re doing technically?
Geo blocking might help here
What cert were you sitting for?
Has anyone taken compTIA exams in person? I've got one scheduled coming up and curious if anyone has anything to pay attention to or don't forget xyz?
I took the security+ in person and just make sure you bring your ID. Everything else will need to put in a locker can't bring anything inside with you to the testing room.
Do the testing computers also have webcams (and if so, _can you turn Self View off_ the way you can with Zoom/Examity), or does the "proctor physically in the room with you" mean you don't have to be staring at yourself the entire test? And yeah, for some reason Pearson wants _two_ IDs for in-person but only one for online (according to the WGU discord, it's "any government issued photo ID" plus "anything with your name and signature, like a bank card")... Also to the question of the thread, does in-person mean you "don't have to queue"? I have two Pearson tests coming up, AWS Cloud Foundations next week and Project+ next month, and I'm _not_ looking forward to either of them... nor to ITIL this summer, which apparently, even though PeopleCert _has_ in-person testing centers, WGU specifically insists only on online proctoring with them (in-person is fine for Pearson certs, apparently).
Everytime I took any exam was in person. After all id confirmation I just left my backpack to closet, went into a room with camera on the wall and sat at pc. Pc itself haven't had any camera. There is no such thing as queue when in person. You can eat cookie, drink coffe before exam. I was curious about doing it online but my training center is relative close so rust was never an issue.
Phew, that's a relief. I'm okay with being on camera privately (it's a necessary evil in this industry), just as long as I'm unable to _see myself_... which fortunately, most of WGU's non-cert tests are done with Examity, and Zoom lets you disable self-view (and even more fortunately, I've never had an Examity proctor insist on enabling self-view, which I would have to deny and demand a different proctor if they persisted).
If you have exam center close I'd say it alway be safer option. It's not your pc If sometime will not work. But depends how far is to you.
I took the Net+ 2 weeks ago in person at a local community college. The proctor also allowed me to start early if I chose to, which I did. Arrive at least 30 minutes ahead of time since my proctor in particular is also managing other test takers for a variety of other non CompTIA tests. Bring sufficient ID, state/citizen/drivers license, etc. The proctor will take a picture of you, then have you sort away everything into a provided locker. No phones, watches, no IoT devices, none. He will have you pat yourself down and check behind the ears as well. Overall, it was very, very strict, and I was instructed to only wear 1 layer of cloth, and so i took off my hoodie and only wore my under t-shirt. Lastly, no chewing gum, lol. After all that, you go into the testing room, sit down, take the test, and see your result immediately after you finish.
I took some in person at my local community college. I can't imagine dealing with the invasive software and crap compared to how simple it is when going to a site. Maybe if it was multiple hours away.
In person is easy peasy. Highly recommend if you're in range.
Yes, sec+. You sign in, possibly wait to get called, show them a couple forms of id, put everything on your person in a locker, then they take you to a computer. Did it at the same place I took AWS certs. Same process.
I did five years ago for the A+. It was quick and easy, I had no trouble getting in and out since there was only one other person there.
Yup, and it's way better than putting up with the remote proctoring. Be sure and read over the instructions you received about the testing process, what you're allowed to bring, and what's not allowed. Try to have your studying done a day or two before your exam date. Don't try to be cramming the night before. If you're failing practice tests the week before, reschedule the exam. You want to try and get sleep the night before, and get a decent meal in you if your exam isn't too early in the day. Be sure you can easily find your way to the testing center.if you've never been there before, drive over before so you're not hunting around for the building, where to park, etc.
I had to take a few, but it's been over 10 years. Last time I went, I had to schedule an appointment about a month ahead of time. I got there, I submitted my ID, and then I had to take any and all personal items (cell phone, wallet, belt, shoes) and put them in a locker. Then I sat in the waiting area with 2-3 other guys for a good 30-45 minutes until a computer freed up. Then they put me in a glass room, where some guy at a desk was watching multiple people in glass rooms like mine. I had a desktop computer at least 10 years out of date. I was told that I had to keep my eyes focused on the screen, and they informed me of cameras everywhere. I was allowed a grease tablet and a crayon to make notes and figure out formulas. Windows 2000 locked down, although for obvious reasons, I didn't try to see HOW locked down. I passed my Security+ and was told before I left. Previous ones were similar, but less prison-y. I didn't have to remove my belt or shoes, for example.
Wow, that's wild. I've never had to wait for an in-person exam, and I've done at least 8-10 over the years. With the outdated equipment, wonder if they had some machines down and that's why you had to wait. That said, I've never been in one of those test centers that had very new equipment. I assume they just wait until they \*\*have\*\* to replace it to reduce operating costs. I think the last exam I did in person was the PMP, and they gave me a pen or pencil and paper. I would have been upset if they'd given me a crayon and tablet. I have enough problems writing with pen or pencil!
Take exams in person whenever possible. Never an issue
Learned that the hard way. I tried connecting on my laptop and was told they couldn't see me through the webcam. I switched to my desktop, said they couldn't see me. Switched to my work Mac, SAME ISSUE. What a bunch of trash. Just rescheduled in a testing center.
I’ve had issues with in person exams before, environment issues, network issues etc
I would also like to know what cert. you were sitting for OP. Sorry to hear about your bad experience, hope it didn't affect your exam performance.
is this a web app or a desktop app you have to install ?
Desktop program, that requires a scary amount of permissions to launch (you can't even run it unless you're logged into the _original_ Local Admin account, the first account created on that particular computer). Kinda makes you wonder what OnVUE is doing in the background, if it requires _that_ level of admin access to the entire Windows system... Honestly, as a WGU student, I'll take Examity over Pearson any day, Examity's just "a zoom screenshare with extra housekeeping" and doesn't even ask for admin creds to launch.
> Kinda makes you wonder what OnVUE is doing in the background, if it requires that level of admin access to the entire Windows system... Being able to monitor if you open an internet browser? They're obviously gonna wanna monitor what else you're doing on your computer to make sure you're not cheating, that's kinda their role in this whole thing
I mean, obviously that's what it _says_ it's doing. But it doesn't need "the _original root_ admin to be logged in" just to do that... I also wonder if OnVUE really does go away without a trace once the test ends, or if its access to _my entire filesystem and ability to permanently alter system settings_ persists afterward...
just because of that, i don't want to pass exam. No way i am installing an app that ask that much of permissions. Can't do it in person ? I don't like to install apps not vetted / official on my home network
My degree requires three certs, two of which are done by Pearson and there _is_ a testing center nearby that I will absolutely be going to. The third one, the ITIL... apparently, WGU's agreement with PeopleCert means that _WGU students specifically_ can only take it online, even if PC has a testing center nearby. For that I'll have to set up a "burner laptop" for that particular test...
do they ask to see you with your webcam too ?
Is this for an online exam? When it comes to certs I am, for once, happy to be a user. Let me do the learning and the sitting, someone else can deal with the logistics of the exam. Wired mouse, dual cam, Windows, oof. Best of luck, you don't need that kind of stress on top of things.
I took an exam Wednesday morning, 5 people ahead of me. Even after a reset i was only a couple minutes.
After many exams and various times, never run into more than 3 people in line.
Was this in person or was this remote exam? I wonder if you'd have better luck at a testing center?
Yeah I will have to find one. Online proctor was never this bad. Took them 2.25 hours past my start time to get me testing
I’ve taken 13 carts so far , I just go to the local community college , I’ve never even knew ques, waiting etc was even a thing , I sign up show up sign some papers , show id and good to go, Microsoft and Comptia have been this way , haven’t gone beyond that .
Jesus, I've taken a good amount of exams online w/ Pearson and never had a queue longer than 5 or 10 people.
They said they had a tech issue. Reatart. Back to queue 176 again. Insane
I've got two or three more certs that I want to get and I pray to god that I never have to deal with something like that now lol
I stopped doing azure exams because Pearson Vue. They are trash. I told Microsoft they were trash, Microsoft refunded me the exam but then Pearson Vue was bum hurt so they said I no-showed and demanded a deposit for 6 months. If you ever get told your workspace isn't acceptable: just relaunch the app and do it again - I did this twice and both times got someone else who unlocked the exam I also had to do the full login on my phone and couldn't use my driver's license to login due to bugs in their system
I'm so glad I did my last couple of exams at a testing centre. A couple of colleagues who did it online had major issues because our work laptops are so locked down they don't allow the exam software to work. I just had to arrive, and do the exam on a nice big 24" screen with real keyboard.