I almost failed my exam because of the appalling manager and proctor.
This place deserves ZERO stars. As soon as I step inside the center, the manager sitting at the administrative desk does not greet me, and asks what exam I am taking. (He looks to be around his late 40's)
I went about 3 hours early to check out the location and ask about any parking fees, and the manager proceeds to talk at length about how he can't guarantee that I won't be penalized for parking. (there was no payment kiosk or personnel) He then said I can take my exam 3 hours early, but I said I didn't want to and that I'll be back at a later time. He then asks, with an attitude and in a condescending tone, when I'd be back, but regardless of my reply, jumps in and says I MUST be back 30 minutes before my exam.
When I came back, he said "I've been waiting for you", and says to my surprise: "listen, we don't just sit here all day, we have to take exams to work here", to which I said "I'm sure, I've been to Pearson testing centers many times". Then he proceeds to tell me I can't wear my cardigan. I'm sure he mistook it as a jacket, and when I told him that other centers let me wear it, he said that they were doing me a courtesy, and gave me a look so derogatory that it made me like I was his student. He then rudely orders me to take a picture and palm print. I felt as if I was in a jail rather than a testing center.
I get to the testing room, and the older woman who is a proctor, also talks in a derogatory and condescending way, and almost pushes me back with her arm out closely in front of me to move me from my position. She asked if I understood TWICE and kept repeating the directions until I answered her, when I was already really upset at this point. So I told her I was upset that she was being rude and it was throwing me off before my exam, and that I will report her behavior. She told me she would report me too! After which she raised her voice and told me other people take exams for 10 hours (implying mine is only 2.5 hours long) so I shouldn't be complaining or raising my voice. She proceeded with the directions, and I was trying to calm down (I was fuming at this point), and looked away, to which she asked "Am I boring you?", and kept repeating this each time I looked away. I exploded at this point, raised my voice and said that was so inappropriate, to which she said nothing and continued to explain directions.
I literally stewed during the first 30 minutes of my 2.5 hour long exam, and couldn't think clearly or answer as many questions as I could have. Since this was an expensive licensure exam, I tried my best to calm down and focus, but I don't want this to happen again to another test taker. When I finished, the manager (administrator), not saying a word handed me my confirmation paper and continued to be silent as I walked out. This was the worst experience I've ever had at Pearson, and I felt so mistreated. All I was trying to do was take my licensing examination. I've reported this incident as an official complaint to Pearson VUE headquarters. read more