PSI Software Lag
I took the PDD exam today and experienced untenable delays in the exam software including the whiteboard taking over 20 seconds to load, and once open functioning with a laggy response time. The exhibits for the case studies could barely load (took something like 30 seconds to a minute for the architectural set to render each time it was accessed for example). This is my 7th test using the at home PSI service and this is the first time I have experienced these issues. Am I alone? It made the test nearly impossible to complete.
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I took my test last week online and had the same issues. The whiteboard and calculator took 60-90 seconds to load. The references for the case studies took 1-3 minutes for each time I had open or reopen them. It was absolutely frustrating let alone just impossible to complete.
I do have the fastest internet speed that my carrier provides, was using ethernet, and typically have no other problem running zoom on my desktop while I stream a movie on the side.
I called PSI afterwards because I have another exam I have to take, and their response was to restart my router during the exam when there's a lag (seriously?) or get a better internet speed. When I told them I have the fastest speed my carrier provides, they also suggested just not taking an online proctored exam and going to a test center because the PSI connectivity crashes time to time. Not too helpful, but good to know.
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I've taken my exams at testing centers, and I've experienced similar issues. I've had the exams freeze trying to proceed to the next MC question after using the whiteboard/calculator (while the timer continues, even if it is also frozen), drawing set PDFs lagging and needing to move through documents very slowly and cautiously in the case studies sections as to not break the test and ensure the information loads.
It's additional pressure when it's not required and becomes a distraction during the exam, hoping that it doesn't drop out and lose valuable time to process and answer questions.
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I had the same issues for both of my PPD and PDD exams with the whiteboard and calculator taking 20-30 seconds to load and the case study exhibits taking a minute to load each time. The icons on my menu bar (highlighter, strikethrough, etc.) kept blinking as well. Going to the next question also took 15 seconds to load, even questions that don't have graphics. I was using ethernet and had very fast internet speed. I didn't have these issues for my other ARE exams taken on PSI prior to May 2025. Not sure what has changed since then to make it this laggy. I probably spent half of my exam time just waiting for questions, exhibits, or the whiteboard to load. Incredibly frustrating.
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I took the PDD exam on June 8th and experienced the exact same technical issues. The test was nearly impossible to complete—icons were constantly blinking, and both the calculator and whiteboard were so slow to load that I ended up doing all calculations in my head. I was also unable to open any of the case study documents, which added significantly to the stress of the exam.
I have a high-speed internet connection and completed the system check before the exam to ensure everything was functioning properly on my end. What is causing these issues? Is NCARB actively working to resolve them? I am seriously reconsidering taking my next exam if this experience is going to repeat itself.
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