Certification Testing Center Experience and Information

Are you nervous about taking your first online testing experience at a dedicated testing center? Here's my thoughts and experiences.

• Before the test!

1. Pre-Scheduling Stuff: If your certification requires you to join a community, sign an NDA, or other things before you take the test, do it! Go visit the vendor's site, (Cisco, CompTIA, LPI, ITIL, whoever) and see if you need to complete any forms. Remember your login. Also, consider, do you use you work email or personal email? Plus, if you register, you typically get your scores posted quickly and certifications faster
2. Scheduling: Find a testing center! (Duh, right?) Most tests are offered by certain testing providers, PearsonVue, prometric, certiport, etc. Visit your certification vendor to find out whoever offers your test. The certification vendor will link to the correct testing provider. Most of the testing providers have search engines to help you find a location near you. If you are lucky and live in a metro area, you may have many to choose from. Just be aware to consider drive-time during the time of day you are scheduled to test. A 9AM test to a center 10 miles from you might take you 30 minutes in traffic. So, if traffic stresses you, try to work with your employer to get an off rush-hour time to the center.
1. If you are with WGU or other online technical/similar university, you may want to call and find out if your center partners with WGU, etc. You will be able to schedule a majority of your tests at this one location. Familiarity relaxes you and its one less thing to stress over.
2. Write down the test you are taking
3. Travel: All centers recommend to arrive around 15 minutes early. If it is your first time, pad that amount of time. You can sit in your vehicle and study if you are there too early. Bring that piece of paper with the test info with you.

• At the Testing Center

You've arrived! Are you nervous, anxious, scared?! Yes, most test takers are. I've had an alphabet soup behind my name in certifications before, and I STILL get nervous (I hate to fail). Here's what going to happen.

1. Pre-Test Paperwork: Greet the person at the front desk. The testing center will want to know your name and what test you are scheduled to take. The piece of paper comes in handy here if you get nervous and your brain can't recall anything but what you have crammed into it.Yes, if you put your life on your phone, just use your phone. Your photo ID will have your name if you forget that. Give the test info to the nice person getting you registered. You likely will be asked to sign a sign-in register. You will also be asked to sign a confidentiality agreement. They will also ask for your two forms of ID (DL and CC, or Passport and credit card, etc). They will make copies of the photo ID and return your IDs.
2. Pre-Test Frisking: Be prepared to go through airport security. Well, not exactly, but close. Only bring what is required, typically two forms of ID. I bring my cell, wallet and keys. The center should give you a locker with a lock and key to secure your items. You get to hang on to the key to the locker where you stored your stuff while you test. You cannot have anything with you when you take your test...Speaking this, you will be asked to 
1. Empty your pockets & show your emptied pockets -- front and back --
2. Remove your coat, scarf (sorry atticus), or any other "extra" clothing
3. You will be required to show your legs (lift your pants to your calves)
4. Show your arms in long sleeved shirts
3. Pre-Test Mug Shot: Many tests will require you have your picture made, even if it is with the same certifying authority for each and every test you take. You will get to sit and have your picture made. It may even be printed on your results! Don't worry, all my friends say i look like a crazy person in my photos. You try looking relaxed when you are stressed and didn't sleep for squat.
4. Pre-Test Launch: Often you will be asked
1. Do you need to use the bathroom. Hey, if it is 30 minutes, might not be a big deal. If it is 2 hours, you probably should. Plus, sometimes a little splash of cold water from the faucet feels good.
2. Do you need earplugs. I get them the first time. Put 'em my pockets. Since the facility I have been using is quiet, I don't any more. 
3. Last, you'll be asked to "follow me" into the testing area proper!
5. Testing Area: It is typically a room with testing stations separated by partitions. The stations at my location are about 4 foot each. The testing station will have a keyboard, mouse and monitor. The monitors at mine are at least 19", and i think 21". I don't measure them as my mind is elsewhere. You'll also probably notice several security cameras. Yep, you are being recorded.
6. The Test:  You will sit down at a station specified by your exam proctor. Your proctor will get you logged into your specific test on the computer. S/he may give you a blank laminated paper with a pen. Again, you may be asked to sign a confidentiality agreement and NDA on your testing workstation before starting. The testing software will ask if you are ready to start. It will often give you the requirements of "passing" before you start. And you start. Each test will be different. Make sure you have read everything regarding the test. Some are only multiple choice, some are scenarios, some are type in the commands to configure this magic box to do "x", etc. Most tests of have time limits. 
1. Test speed: Some tests will be soooo slow between questions. Most of the time the engine is drawing the scenario questions with diagrams. Patience.
2. Marking Questions: Some tests let you mark questions for review. I use this, but i seldom if ever change my answer. However, sometimes a question later may trigger your brain and you come up with the right answer to an earlier question. 
3. Question Review: Some tests give you the option of reviewing your answers. Up to you. I only review my marked ones.
4. The finish: When you are done with the review (or test), typically there is an end test/submit test/finish button to select. Do it when you are as done as you'll ever be.  the testing engine will give you a warning saying something along the lines of, are you really really ready to submit this for grading?! Yes.
7. SERIOUSLY?!?!: some testing engines will ask you demographic questions before giving results. WT...And these can be about 10-20 questions. What did you use to study? Who is your employer? Hell, I don't know if i'm employed any more if I don't pass! geez, give me the results. Finish it anyway. I try to be honest on them now. WWJD?
8. The Results: The testing engine will give you the results. I hope they are good for you! Remember, passing is passing unless you plan on teaching. No one cares if you got the exact minimum requirement to pass, except for the people who want to brag about themselves. Whatever, if you pass, you passed! You'll probably start to ask yourself, now how do I make sure I don't loose these results so where is the print or emailto: button? Your proctor or exam admin will have them. Close out of the testing engine and get ready to leave.
9. Leaving: Pick up your laminated paper and pen from your station. Get up and leave quietly. Remember, there are other souls being tortured next to you. Open the door quietly; shut it back quietly from the testing area. Go to the sign-in or designated area. They will typically do the following:
1. Let you retrieve your stuff from your locker.
2. Print out your results. Some will be marked with a specialized stamp.
10. Paranoia: It will take a few days for your results to post with your certification provider. No matter how many times you click refresh on email, it will still take a period of time. Relax. you passed. You will get email regarding your next steps (confirm your physical address, your name, etc). Just hang on to the original print out of your results just in case