If you're looking for a reliable test center, this is it! I've taken two exams with Pearson in the past and both times I've found the system in place to be efficient and pleasant (or as pleasant as one can be when taking an exam). It's important to note that in this particular building, the earliest you can arrive is half an hour before your appointment. Any earlier, and the security guard will force you to leave the building (they will not let you stay in the lobby). When you arrive at the security desk in the middle of the lobby, they already have your name on a list with all other test takers so you just need to show your ID to verify who you are. Upon entering the suite, you again show your ID (and a credit card or something else with your signature) to the guy up front. They give you a set of instructions to read over and when you're done, you get your picture taken. Depending on the test you're taking, you may also have to get a pulse reading. You then stash all your stuff in a locker and take your ID, locker key, and maybe a calculator if one is permitted to the entrance of the exam room. Your proctor then goes over rules with you (basically whatever you need whether it's to go to the bathroom or you need more scrap paper, you just raise your hand and the proctor comes to you). The proctor then walks you to your seat and logs you into your exam. You're taking your exam in a room with a bunch of other people separated by cubicle walls and there's a timer on your computer. This center also had two clocks on the walls so you can check what time it is. Noise canceling headphones are also on your desk and ear plugs are available upon request. Once you're done, you go to the front and there's usually a printout. Either you get your results right away or the printout instructs you on when to expect results. You get your stuff out of the locker and you're free to leave. The staff at this location are all super friendly and efficient so definitely come here if you're an anxious test taker like me and want the moments leading up to your exam to go smoothly. read more

Please read all information that is sent to you before going to the test center. Information about your test is limited so the staff does not have detailed information. Double check your identifications before arrival for expiration dates, bring more than one.What some places consider identification other places might not consider so &bear that in mind. Your exam board is the ones that make the decision as to what they consider an ID. Not all exams require the same so pay close attention to what was sent via email and what the staff says. No cellphone use or studying of any kind is allowed in the test center and only test takers are allowed in the center. Your exam starts the time when you are seated at your assigned workstation and although your exam time is at a specific time and you are seated after that time you still get your all your allotted time for your exam.. Delays happen if computer updates need to be ran, if you leave your items in your pocket when they are to be stored in lockers delay time being seated. If you have specific exam questions like how many sections or the time allotted for sections, how long before you get your results and all other exam specifics you need to refer to your exam board. The test center staff is there to deliver the exam, help with computer issues, give you materials that is allowed in order for you to take your exam. I cannot stress enough that the staff is given limited information detailed information you can receive from your exam board. They do not schedule exams or make changes to the schedule. If you are late it will delay others if you are accommodated. No one wants to deal with the attitude that comes from test takers just as much as test takers don't want to deal with the attitude from the test center staff. The staff understands that test takers are nervous and try their best. read more

Took the MCAT here on Friday, needless to say it was a stressful day. The test was scheduled to start at 8am, but upon reading the previous reviews saying that the building doesn't let anyone in before 7:30, I circled the block a few times when I got there around 7:20. I later found this not to be true, since I walked in at 7:30 and saw about 10 people who had already checked in. The building has entrances on 44th and 45th Streets, and a security guard in the lobby has to verify your ID and call the elevator. The guard I spoke to was incredibly nice and wished me luck. Upon arriving at the Pearson center, I had to undergo the rigorous check-in process. The woman working the front desk was SO RUDE and gave contradictory information. A girl asked if she should wait in line to be checked in or if she should have a seat, and the front desk woman told her to sit and she'd call her name shortly. About 10 minutes later, the girl asked if she'd be called soon, and the woman rudely informed her that she should get in line. The girl justifiably got angry, and when she nervously laughed, the woman at the front desk snapped at her, saying "what about this day is funny?". I personally think someone in this position should be aware of the high-stress, anxious mindset people are in when they come into Pearson and help them to calm down, and this woman failed miserably in doing so. The check-in procedures involve a palm vein scan, ID check, digital signature verification, and photo. All personal items need to be stored in lockers in the main room, and cell phones have to be sealed in separate bags. Beyond that point, only an ID and the locker key can be taken. I then proceeded down a hallway and thankfully got away from the horrible front desk woman to encounter the actual test proctor, who was a kind, jaded man. At this point, I was informed of additional rules, did another ID check, vein scan, and then had to be subjected to the equivalent of a full TSA inspection before entering the room (pat down, roll sleeves up, shake hoodie out, pull out all pockets, submit glasses for examination). Finally, I was allowed to enter. The actual testing room I found to be spacious and quiet, with about 16 workstations. Earbuds and noise-canceling headphones are provided, but I actually found that I needed neither. The computer monitors had wide screens with good resolution, though they were a bit too bright for my liking. Clocks were positioned throughout the room to keep track of break times. For the MCAT, I was also provided with a dry-erase sheet packet for notes and calculations. The proctor here was very attentive and came to escort me in and out of the room for each break. Each time I left and re-entered the testing room, I had to do an ID check and vein scan, and had to do the physical inspection every time I re-entered the room, which became as onerous as it was time-consuming. During my lunch break, which I took back in the main check-in room, the rude front desk woman suddenly became interested in having a full-length conversation with me. While I appreciated the effort to seem personable and maybe modify my already-formed first impression, the absolute last thing I wanted to do during my 30-minute lunch break was to have a random conversation. I escaped to the bathroom, which was outside the testing center suite down the hall, in order to re-focus. All in all, a well-run operation committed to high integrity exam administration with solid equipment and staff. I'd likely give a high rating, but unfortunately the rude and unhelpful front desk woman tainted my experience. 3/5 stars. read more

The Pearson Vue Testing Center at 19 44th Street is the worst testing center I have ever had to use. There were no other available dates to take my exam at my preferred center of 2 Hanson Place in Brooklyn (the best center!!!!) so I was forced to schedule my exam at 44th Street. Apparently, there had been a subway system slowdown, as two other candidates arrived at the same time I did at 8:15 a.m. Our test was scheduled for 8:00 a.m. and although it is stated on the registration receipt, the receptionist refused to hear the reason three of us had been delayed by 30 minutes. One of the candidates was in tears explaining to the receptionist what the three of us had just experienced, but she continued stating it was too late. I have been at the same testing center in the past, and they have checked people in way beyond the start time of 8:00 a.m., yet this receptionist refused to hear the reason we had been delayed. It was heartless and this negatively affects the people who are just trying to fulfill testing requirements to serve the children of New York City. Surely Pearson can come up with a solution when unforseen situations affect a candidates ability to arrive on schedule. read more

Came here for my graduate entrance exam! Pretty small place and long wait, got in half an hour after my appointment time even though I had arrived a little over half an hour early. I came here twice and first time, the room was freeeeezing so I had to ask them to turn up the heat. Second time, the room was warmer than an oven. Would suggest wearing layers you can take off. Clean bathroom and facilities. Super friendly and helpful staff though! read more

As long as I am having to take these certification exams, I am coming to this Pearson Center to take them!! This center is near 42nd St., Times Square! You get to walk through the nice crowd and awesome view if you take the N, like me (D train is closer)! ** TIP ** If you do take the N, you get out, you walk towards Toys R' Us on 44th and then turn right for an avenue and a half! If you take the D, walk towards Chase and turn right for half a block ! Once you get there, you might miss the entrance! It's glass doors, next to a restaurant that's decked in red. When you get inside, you walk to security and you'll tell them what you're there for. I've met two different ones and they are super friendly. He or she will have a list of the people who are supposed to take an exam today (make sure you have your identification!). Then he/she'll tell you to press the floor you're going to (I am reviewing for Suite 507) so you press 5 and it'll tell you which elevator to wait by, cool huh! Lol. When you get out on the 5th floor, it seems bleak and blahh but you make your way to 507 and the person sitting there will ask for your identification and which exam you're taking. I again had met two different people at the front who are super cordial and nice. The first time I came here my appointment was at 2:00 PM but the stinkin' train skipped my stop (OF COURSE) that day and I had planned in my head how it was all gonna go down, that they're gonna turn me down and I'd have to beg and plead with them to please let me take my exam (as it has happened before at the Hunter location -but that's another story-) but to my surprise ! when I got there at 2:20, he looked at the clock and then he explained the rules before I entered the testing area. *So while I was waiting for the train I was anxious so I looked up their policy and it said that you are allowed in 15 minutes after your appointment time.. IF they let you.. so I was 20 mins. late and yet he didn't say anything about it -- THANK YOU! - but don't be late anyway :P* They have lockers to put your things in and you take the key with you. Then I just wait for another person to bring me in and it was the "proctor," I guess (another super kind soul). He explained some more rules, checked my boots, no bracelets and they offered ear plugs lol. Then I took my exam and when I was finished, the proctor told me to get my receipt, I thanked him and when I got my receipt from the front desk, I thanked him and everyone ended with a smile. Yay! So here I am writing this review because I will be taking a third exam at their location tomorrow and I am procrastinating! read more

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The sweet proctor in the back room, an Asian or Korean man is exceedingly patient and smart. I think his name is Howie, exudes professionalism to an unmatched degree I have rarely witnessed before, perhaps in an elite ivy. It reassures and comforts me that this guy exists and does what he does. I fervently wish people of this caliber were not so exceedingly rare. read more

Perfect testing center amidst the bustling city! I have to admit, I was hesitant on taking my professional exam here but since all the other available dates in queens were not until late August, I bit the bullet and scheduled it. To my surprise, this testing site, while situated in between Times Square and Grand Central, was quiet and peaceful! There is a security officer (she was friendly) in the lobby who first checks your name and what not and then you are left to go upstairs by yourself. The people are friendly, and while they require you to be there early, checking in is quite easy. All that's required of you is a photo ID, and your picture and fingerprints are taken. They also give people taking the NCLEX one page to look over (NCLEX dos and donts). Once you're about to go inside, they give you an envelope where you must enclose your phone and place all of your stuff in an assigned locker. When your done with the exam and are about to leave, you have to hand them the envelope with your phone which they cut open. The room is small imo, though not uncomfortably small, and it was pretty warm. NCLEX takers are given two breaks and a total of 6 hours! I thought it was a great testing center and would recommend it to anyone taking a professional exam! They also have a water station to hydrate you during your breaks! read more

Boot camp personified. If you can't find a better testing center than Pearson 'unprofessional' Centers......throw in the towel. You are subjected to everything but a cavity search. It was as insulting to a persons' integrity as anything I could imagine in my wildest nightmare. There is no job or amount of money to be made worth enduring this ridiculous scrutiny. Insulting doesn't even come close. Don't put yourself through this. I felt dirty when I was finished with this test. Never again. How dare they!!! read more

Not a good experience today, taking tge PMP exam. I asked a simple question which the facilitator could not answer. The staff adheres by the guidelines of "only checking us in" but I feel my question could have been a very simple, straightforward answer tgst would have allowed me to achieve my goal. read more

Received an email that my exam location was being changed 2 weeks before the day to another center that is twice as far from where I live. When I called to see if I could change centers or reschedule, customer service was rude and blamed someone else. Overall, very poor customer experience. If they weren't a monopoly on certification exam testing I wouldn't use them again. read more

I liked this Pearson location. It was my first time taking a computerized assessment and it was a decent experience. We were called by number to register for the exams and provided lockers for our belongings. The process was relatively smooth. Each person was called back individually and settled to their station. I appreciated the ear plugs (which I've never used before) and he headphones which I didn't use. It was great to have options to block out noise. The proctor was attentive and was there in case you had an issue or needed to use the restroom. The location is clean. Overall a good experience and I will probably schedule future assessments at that location. read more

My comments are only about the security desk personal. I don't know the inside conditions of this test center, because I was not the one taking the test (my friend was). We went inside, my friend talked to the security lady, while I was standing beside the security desk. My friend showed his ID card to the lady, she started to look up his name on the GMAT name list paper, but she had a puzzled face - apparently she did not find his name. So my friend said" have you find my name? My last name is XX". We were Asian; so we assumed that some time it is a little bit hard to find names. But, the lady started to yelled, she said: "Of course I am looking for your name? You wanna teach me how to find names? Am I not knowing what I was doing? Don't you dare talk to me! You talk shit!" My friend and I were completely shocked. Why she acted like this? We didn't say anything wrong. And then, she found his name, tell him to take the elevator. She said(as least we heard that)" your number is 83. good luck.) My friend went into the elevator, he just press 5, cuz the test center is "suite 507". But, the lady screams and yells at him" don't touch anything! You short guy just don't know how to do things! You stupid! Act like shit!" I asked my friend after his test, he said the lady actually mean the elevator button "A3" instead of "83". Meanwhile, there was another lady reached out there and also wanted to check in; the security lady just laughed with her and said "look at short guy, walk like shit". Apparently the security lady is not in the bad mood at day; she was laughing and having a nice talk with the another lady. She is disrespectful and racist. I was standing there, completely shocked. I don't know what should I say, I don't believe what I have just heard. The security lady found out that I was still there and stared at her, she said to me: you can go now. Bye Bye! I said: I heard all the things you have just said. I can't believe what happened. Saying bad words in front of my friend's face, for no reason. Shame on her. I recommend to not take the test from this center. I just want this kind of things never happen again. read more

Took a test for work here. It is a bit confusing when you first enter the building, so I thought I'd post a few tips: - Once you enter, go to middle of the long lobby hallway, that's where the security desk is - I don't think you show your ID here, I tried to but the security guard waved it away but took the guy behind me's ID, so am not sure? - Security guard will ask what company you're there for, then tell you to punch in a floor # on the keypad by the elevators to see which elevator to go to - Once you get to the the floor, Pearson is right across from you - When you enter, say Hi to the nice people at the check-in desk! Then take a # from the board to your right and have a seat. They have lockers there for your belongings, but you can't go to them until they call your # and check your ID, etc. - You must bring 2 forms of ID (1 with a photo and the other can be a credit card) - After initial check-in and ID check, they tell you to sit again and wait for your # to be called to be let into the exam room by the proctor. During this time you can store your belongings in your locker. NOTE: Watches are to be removed, long sleeves rolled-up, pockets checked. - In the exam room, you are provided with earplugs and headphones to block out sound (headphones come with disposable covers) - Your testing space is a cubicle - PC you take your exam on is on the old side - If you have any questions or are finished with the exam during the exam time, always raise your hand and remain in your cubicle Everyone was VERY nice here, so I am happy with my overall experience here. read more

My experience of checking at this center was the closest to that of being checked at an incarceration facility, and I have no legal history. Pearson Vue treats every test taker as if they are a potential cheater or some kind of low level criminal. You have to leave all of your personal property in a locker in front and your hands are checked and then asinine rules are read to you which make no sense. Once you're in the exam room, you cannot even leave after the test unless you raise your hand. Moreover, the testing environment is overly strict and adults are reduced to being treated as sub humans or delayed 6th graders. If at all possible, choose another testing organization. read more

Very kind staff! this was my 2nd time taking the gmat and the staff at this staff was exponentially better than the 34th street pearson.

It has been awhile since I took professional certification exams and I feel obligated to write a review commending on their much improved service. I was scheduled to take an exam yesterday and wow, the staff here are super polite and cordial even though they examined me from head to toe, inside and out, and made sure I didn't bring any unnecessary items to the testing room (including my hair tie on my wrist). When I was at a similar testing center 5 years ago, the staff and TAs were just miserable. They treat you like you would go through a security via TSA. But the staff right now really put you at ease. I felt zero pre-test anxiety the moment I walked in. The only complain I really had was that the testing room wasn't cold enough. Usually it's way too cold so I wore a sweatshirt but it was kind of stuffy inside. read more

I am extremely frustrated with Pearson Professional Centers. After paying $450 I showed up to one of their testing centers for an exam this morning, where they had a computer malfunction and did not allow us to take our exam. It is very unfortunate this company has a monopoly on state testing, otherwise I would never use them again. In an effort to reschedule my exam, I was unable to do so because they have no weekend phone number to call. Thanks to Pearson, I, along with approximately 40 others, will be forced to miss a day of teaching, thus essentially taking away a productive day of education for NYC students. read more

Abysmal customer service in light of test being canceled the day of the exam. Did not email ahead of time and relied on the poor guard to relay the message that we "may have to reschedule." No apology, no reassurance that we will be given priority to get a new date/site, nothing. An email was sent with a refund a few hours later. I understand that sometimes things happen that are outside of the test center's control, but that being said, if you are in the testing business, then you also should understand that waiting another 2-3 weeks to retake the exam really wrecks havoc with studying, time, additional study costs and preparation. read more