6/05 - Important ARE Updates as Testing Resumes
Hey Everyone,
As test centers begin to reopen across North America, we would like to provide you with clarification on testing access and point you to helpful resources that you can use to monitor the situation in your local area. The ongoing pandemic is still limiting access to the Architect Registration Examination® (ARE®) due to a combination of local reopening limitations and social distancing. The decision to open a testing location or adjust existing scheduled appointments to ensure social distancing is managed by Prometric as they work to ensure all testers’ safety is considered.
Many Test Centers Are Reopening
As of June 1, Prometric has been able to resume testing at locations where local and state mandates allow. You can view Prometric’s current site openings on their website. Prometric will update this list daily as government restrictions continue to evolve.
ARE Candidates Now Classified as Essential Testers
In April, Prometric interpreted the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) guidelines and designated ARE candidates as non-essential testers. NCARB has been advocating with Prometric to explain why ARE candidates should be designated as essential within the CISA guidelines. NCARB’s efforts proved successful just yesterday, and ARE candidates have now been acknowledged as essential testers in the Prometric test center network.
Prometric is in the process of updating their scheduler. Starting Tuesday, June 9, 2020, you will be able to schedule an appointment at any open test center offering “All Programs” or “Essential Only” services.
Appointment Cancellations
Unfortunately, currently scheduled exam appointments may still be subject to cancellation if your local test center is not able to reopen, if local mandates change, or if further social distancing measures need to be put in place.
Prometric is assessing the above requirements on a rolling basis with a two week “look ahead.” If Prometric determines the need to cancel an appointment, they will notify the candidate directly, hopefully with two weeks’ notice. If your appointment is canceled by Prometric, NCARB will update your exam eligibility and provide you a seat credit so you can reschedule the appointment for a later date. Please note, some exam appointments may be canceled on shorter notice due to situations such as inclement weather or unavailability of the test center for other reasons.
Recently, Prometric field staff have incorrectly stated that NCARB has directed the cancellation of exams. NCARB has not directed Prometric to cancel any appointments as it is our sincere hope that all candidates are able to test when scheduled. While NCARB has no control over Prometric’s exam cancellation decisions, NCARB has provided Prometric with additional guidance to better address the stress and inconvenience caused to candidates by Prometric’s cancellation procedures.
Cancellation Refunds
We recognize that COVID-19 disruption has led to some candidates having their exams canceled or rescheduled multiple times, due to ongoing test center closures or displacements. NCARB is implementing a temporary refund policy that allows candidates who have had the same division appointment displaced two or more times the ability to cancel the appointment outright, and receive a refund of the original seat credit fee.
- If a candidate has already rescheduled the division displaced multiple times, the now current appointment will be canceled at their request and a refund issued.
- If a candidate has yet to reschedule the division displaced multiple times, the seat credit applied to their account to facilitate rescheduling will be removed and a refund issued.
Candidates can request refunds by contacting NCARB customer service and identifying the ARE division they would like canceled. Upon verification of the refund request, candidates should expect the refund within seven days.
Social Distancing Measures in Test Centers
Where testing is taking place, Prometric has implemented safety practices throughout the testing process. Links to Prometric's most up-to-date social distancing policies are provided below. Some regions have specific policies in place based on local guidelines, so please make sure to review the policies for the region you will be testing in.
- For Prometric’s standard global policies, please click here.
- For Prometric’s North America specific social distancing policies, please click here.
- For Prometric’s China specific social distancing policies, please click here.
Along with the local policies noted above, all candidates must bring and wear a face covering to the test center. The face covering does NOT need to be a medical mask. Cloth face coverings are acceptable.
To account for the likelihood that check-out and check-in procedures on breaks may take longer, NCARB has extended the length of the flexible break available during each administration to 25 minutes.
Thank you for your ongoing patience. We are sorry that you have been impacted by these events and we are doing all that we can to help provide you with the testing access and the support you need to be successful in your licensure journey. If we can be of any further assistance, please contact us.
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Let me get this right, your telling us that Prometric's interpretation of the CISA Guidelines allowed them to designate Dog Trainer Certifications and Wellness Coaches Certifications as essential, but not The Architect Registration Exam????
I'd like to know why these conversations didn't happen months ago??? How many ARE Candidates lost their early June test dates because NCARB WASN'T advocating for them???
When is NCARB going to stop BLAMING Prometric for EVERYTHING???? How is this professional conduct???
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There are many many more issues that arent being addressed. Please watch the video i published yesterday. https://youtu.be/1lWfdcXftrs
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Why is it so hard for NCARB to admit they were wrong and that they didn't live up to their strategic goal of facilitating licensure? Prometric doesn't owe testing candidates anything but a clean testing station.
On April 30th, The VP of EXAMINATION told us:
- "unfortunately, we are not essential"
- "essential doesn't mean preference over finding an appointment time"
- "...June, July, August, September...all exams are scheduled on a first come first basis...That's your appointment."
https://vimeo.com/415605329#t=2110s
Guess that acronym was important after all.
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Jordan,
NCARB isn't perfect - I can certainly say that. We do make mistakes and at times the vendors we have put our trust in make mistakes also. I'm glad you note our strategic goal of facilitating licensure because that is what we work on every day. From working with jurisdictional licensing boards to continue to keep aligning AXP requirements, through the ARE, to the NCARB Certificate, and eventual continuing education for licensed professionals, NCARB facilitates efforts that lead to initial and reciprocal licensure for thousands of people each year.
I disagree with your statement that Prometric only owes candidates a clean testing station. Prometric owes every ARE candidate a lot more than that. You should get reliable technology when scheduling, you should receive knowledgable and friendly customer service when testing, you should test on consistent technology in an environment that doesn't distract from your testing goal, and your exam results should be properly routed back to the candidate management system without disruption.
And, if Prometric has to cancel a candidate's appointment to accommodate social distancing at the test center, that candidate should get an appropriate and timely notice from Prometric. Unfortunately, not all of this has been happening, and, yes, it's on NCARB to ensure the service candidates receive is appropriate.
That VP of Examination, that's me. And, what I conveyed on April 30th was true. At that time, it was unfortunate that ARE candidates were designated as non-essential. It is still true that "essential doesn't mean preference over finding an appointment time." What the essential designation provides candidates is access to more testing locations. It does not mean that those candidates get to bump another candidate out of an appointment. And, it is also still true that all exams are scheduled on a first-come-first-served basis. When you get an appointment time - that is your appointment time and no other candidate can bump you out of it either.
If you took my comment as an absolute guarantee that every appointment scheduled was a guarantee to be delivered - I'm sorry. With ever-changing conditions and Prometric attempting to manage social distancing requirements and various state and local mandates, many recent exam appointments have had to be canceled. I also expect that more cancellations will happen because government reopening plans are progressing at different rates across the country. NCARB certainly doesn't want an appointment canceled but we do understand that Prometric has to follow local ordinances and operate within the law.
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@Jared Thank you for the apology. It was my question that was asked and you awswered in the video. My frustration comes from hearing myself make better apologizes to indiviuals in my virtual study tables for refering to the information you provided in that video more than anyone from NCARB... until now. It was even more frustrating to hear multiple people say that if they had a test cancelled for a third time they were simply going to quit.
While none of these individuals, mentioned Prometric as the source of their frustrations, in professional practice a vendor performing as poorly as you say Prometic has would be grounds for termination of a contract. Was any thought given to switching to another contractor? Or will NCARB remain with Prometric until 5.1 is operational? Thanks. -
Jordan, NCARB is currently evaluating our options for future delivery of the ARE. There are three main vendors (Prometric, Pearson Vue, and PSI) that can provide a robust enough test center network to support ARE candidates. We are in talks with each of them. Although similar in the services they provide, we're finding the integration of exam delivery technology to be quite different across vendors which limits our ability to launch quickly in a new space. For that reason, the way ARE 5.0 is delivered today will continue with Prometric only.
We have sped up or efforts to determine how to adjust the ARE and integrate this into whichever vendor is selected for future site and online proctored delivery. I'm not in a place where I can share a revised timeline but I will say launching a refreshed version of the ARE in both test centers and via remote proctoring is NCARB's number one priority.
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All,
As I read this thread, I feel the ethical obligation to share my experience from last Tuesday after trying to test in Chicago.
I understand that the timing and re-scheduling are very important, but it is not fair either that in order to fulfil the licensure requirement, we should have to expose and risk our health/lives for it.
I noticed that Prometric was not following the CDC guidelines. Furthermore, putting the lives of all individuals scheduled to test in a high-risk environment for COVID -19.
I encourage NCARB stops the testing with Prometric until they demonstrate that they are complying with social distancing and many other CDC guidelines. For what I witnessed, their approach was more relaxed than even those required by restaurants that have strict occupancy limitations and requirements for natural ventilation, just to name a few.
Where are the Obligations to Colleagues, to the Environment, to the Profession, to the Public, that the AIA, thru its Canons, is making sure that we know so very well? Where are the "design for pandemic" principles that we all have learned from attending webminars sponsored by the AIA and numerous editorials since last March?
I sent emails to NCARB and Prometric last Tuesday, and just yesterday I decided to call NCARB to confirm they were reviewing my communications. It appears that they were not aware of what Prometric was doing (or not doing) to offer a safe environment to all test takers. However, it is not an excuse. How do we know, with the increase of cases nationwide, that some of the test takers did not get infected after being exposed during testing at Prometric since they reopened for ARE testing?
I highly encourage all aspirants for Licensing that didn't feel safe during their testing to voice their concerns to NCARB. It will be the only way we can test at ease knowing that we won't have to pay with our own health to become a licensed architect in the US during this pandemic.
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Hi Harold, that is awful to read, I am so sorry it happened to you. I have my test date coming up and I am scared that this will happen to me too. They are supposed to be at 50% capacity for that reason. I heard from another colleague in PA that the same happened to him . Could you please also report it as a covid 19 violation? A quick search on chicago led me to these websites: https://illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/rights/workplace_COVID19_Complaints.html
https://311.chicago.gov/s/?language=en_US
This should not be happening.
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Hi Harold & Laura,
It was confirmed to NCARB late Friday that Prometric has returned some testing centers to full capacity. They are making the decision as to which centers can operate at full capacity based on the local regulations in place. Prometric has noted that they are using the CDC for guidance, but they are following ordinances from local, state, federal, and country-specific jurisdictions. Unless required, social distancing may not be maintained at test centers.
Prometric has a management team that evaluates the operating status of its test center locations and makes decisions on how to operate. If you believe Prometric is not operating within local mandates, please contact the Prometric Customer Care department.
Prometric is still requiring the wearing of a face-covering by all who enter a test center, including staff and test-takers.
NCARB is currently evaluating other test center vendors for both online and on-site delivery. At present, all major test delivery companies under consideration are operating in alignment with Prometric in that each business is operating within the limits of local ordinances.
You can view the site occupancy status, limited or full capacity, of local test centers on Prometric’s Site Openings webpage. Please look at the last column of the table to see full or limited capacity.
NCARB does not control the operations of Prometric. What we can offer immediately is candidate flexibility in rescheduling an existing appointment if one is not comfortable testing within the ordinances of their local jurisdiction. We can also hold them accountable for not operating within local ordinances.
Overall management of the candidate experience is an important consideration in our future decision. Thank you for sharing your concerns.
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Jared,
Thanks for your reply.
Has NCARB visited any of the Prometric offices after June 1st? Has NCARB seen the fulfilment of the CDC guidelines?
What I am trying to convey here is the experience from my experience as a test taker.
There are already two people that we know of only from this forum, voicing our discomfort with the testing environment. Two people that may have already been exposed to the virus just from fulfilling NCARB's requirement. NCARB should stop the testing thru Prometric until evaluations are confirmed and passed the CDC and NCARB standards.
If "NCARB does not control the operations of Prometric" as you stated, does that mean that NCARB only cares about the test score and nothing can be done about the conditions offered for test taking?
We have had this virus since February in the US and even earlier in China, where Prometric also provides its services. They do follow more strict measures in China (per their website). The 6'-distancing appears to be the most basic measure against the spread of the virus in conjunction with the use of masks. If Prometric cannot even guarantee the social-distancing, as it happened already in PA and MS that we know of, and NCARB cannot "control" Prometric's operation, then where does that leave us?
NCARB and the AIA are asking me to confirm to them, by taking these exams, that I fulfill the requirements to become a responsible architect so I can guarantee the welfare of society, but it appears that I am also required to sacrifice my health to do so?
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Harold,
We certainly hear and understand your and other's discomfort around testing today in a center operating at full occupancy. To enable all our candidates' flexibility within NCARB policies, NCARB has added a 9-month rolling clock extension and continues to waive all rescheduling fees. If individuals have a medical condition that hinders their ability to test under current local conditions and anticipate this impact going beyond the current 9-month extension, those candidates can receive an additional rolling clock extension.
Prometric shared their test center management plan and provided NCARB photos across various centers to show their procedures in action. NCARB has not visited a Prometric test center since June 1, 2020. NCARB does care about the test center experience and the conditions under which the exam is being delivered. However, a contractual reality is that it does not give us the authority to make Prometric enforce social distancing beyond local ordinances. We understand that Prometric is attempting to meet the needs of their many test-takers, architectural and other professions, and attempting to provide as much testing availability to make up for the lost testing opportunities from March through May.
Where does it leave us? NCARB will continue to monitor and adjust policies to provide candidates freedom to adjust scheduling in a way that allows them to feel safe while trying to minimize any negative impacts. Also, it reinforces to NCARB our ongoing efforts to support online proctored delivery along with evaluating a future vendor and structuring a future contract. For you, and all candidates, it leaves the choice to test under local conditions within your control. Please use the Prometric website to understand your local conditions. You may be able to find a local center that is still operating under limited occupancy. If not, it may be a candidate's choice to delay testing at this time.
NCARB would never ask you, or any candidate, to sacrifice your health in an effort to become licensed. If you find yourself facing this challenge, please reach out to NCARB customer service.
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Jared, I invite you to share photos you received from Chicago. Please do.
We have been dealing with COVID-19 since February. We are in July and still Prometric has not figure out how to test safely? Even restaurants got limited occupancy these days with requirements for ventilation.
Prometric's website is set up for pre-pandemic. The only COVID-related info that is applicable to our experience is the use of mask and the promise that they will clean pens and computers. I did not see that happening during my visit, by the way.
I understand that the chances are very small to do the right thing in this situation. I understand that I am alone on this: no AIA, no NCARB and no Prometric for help. Why would I want to be part of a profession that is turning its back on me when we need it the most?
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#Laura Vidal, thanks for the links. Very helpful.
When I was last time at Prometric, they told me that they offered individual rooms if I didn't feel comfortable testing in the general room they offered. I asked to talk to a manager about that but was told there was no manager to do so at the time of my visit.
I researched in Prometric's website about this "private" rooms, and the website states that they are only available with people with disabilities (mental or physical) and the application should be submitted with a medical form signed by a doctor. Furthermore, what I was told the day of my testing was inaccurate.
I have been in touch with NCARB trying to re-schedule my PcM (finally got a working link today, more than a week since I filed a complaint). NCARB told me yesterday, after asking if I would test comfortably in one of the private rooms, that they were going to explore the possibility of allowing me to use one because "they knew they have made some exceptions before".
It was too good to be true. In the same email that I received today with the rescheduling-link, there was a decline to use the private room (I guess a pandemic is not of a strong argument for Prometric or NCARB). Additionally, NCARB advised me to travel to another State that I knew had 50% capacity according to Prometric's website. The website is lacking information. It appears that "Full Capacity" as it is listed under Chicago means "no social distancing", etc.
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Jared,
I spoke with someone at Prometric just now, and the person said they are not allowing goggles as a covid 19 protection in their test centers. This is very concerning since all the research points out that we should also protect our eyes in indoor environments, especially since Prometric is not following social distance guidelines anymore. The lady said that if NCARB allows their candidates to wear goggles they can make an exception for them. I was a little confused by this. Can NCARB do something about it?
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Sorry for the delay in response, I've been following up with Prometric as I wanted to 100% confirm my understanding before sharing.
Related to bringing in personal protective equipment beyond the required face covering, ARE candidates are allowed to bring in goggles, face shields, gloves, etc. This was my understanding previously and have confirmed with Prometric the same. Laura, unfortunately, the Prometric person with which you spoke was not aware that this is fully available to ARE candidates. Prometric will be issuing an update to their candidate services agents reinforcing this policy.
To address the earlier post regarding the separate testing room that is available in many Prometric testing locations, that room is only guaranteed to candidates that apply for a testing accommodation. Typical accommodations related to a separate testing room tend to be for candidates requiring a reader, needing a distraction-free environment, or candidates with health issues that may need extra breaks to stretch, the need to take ongoing medications, etc.
Prometric may let a non-accommodated candidate use the separate testing room if no other candidate is already scheduled to be in that space during the duration of the appointment. That decision would be made by the Prometric staff on-site at that time based on the daily schedule. If a candidate would like to be guaranteed to test in a private room, they would need to apply for a testing accommodation.
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A little more about full occupancy and limited occupancy, as I agree that this is not well defined on Prometric's website.
Sites identified as "limited occupancy" are operating at a capacity that can maintain social distancing throughout the test center experience. Candidates will experience greater separation in the waiting area and the Prometric staff will instruct candidates on how to move through the check-in/check-out process while maintaining social distance.
Sites identified as "full occupancy" have opened scheduling up to allow for the possibility of all testing stations to be delivering an exam at the same time. Candidates may still be asked to follow social distancing guidelines in the waiting area and throughout the check-in process. In the testing room, a candidate may be placed at a workstation that is adjacent to another workstation that is occupied. At a test center designated as "full occupancy", test center staff will not be strictly enforcing social distancing.
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Harold,
Following up on your above post, I was not able to confirm that the photos Prometric previously shared were specifically from the Chicago test center. Even if the photos were from Chicago, Prometric has transitioned the Chicago test center back to full occupancy and that would not have been your experience.
I have personally shared your concerns about your experience with Prometric. They do feel that they are providing a safe testing environment within the requirements. I would not disagree with you that more could be done. I do believe Prometric is attempting to balance providing as much access as possible to candidates while maintaining a safe environment for those candidates.
I am troubled to read that you think the profession, the national professional association, and NCARB have turned their back on you. I can only speak for NCARB and say that we are still here trying to work through this disruption. We certainly won't get every step right but it doesn't mean we aren't going to keep trying to figure out the next step.
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Jared,
What I don't understand is how my experience, which I went through, I lived it, is worth less than a piece of email or correspondence you get from Prometric, who does not want to loose a big client as NCARB.
Let the City of Chicago, the Mayor and the Governor, decide if Prometric has been exposing people since June 1st.
Why is it that having strict restrictions for restaurants, Prometric feels they can skip one or two requirements? The exposure is intensified as the classrooms are currently set up. They could have installed plexiglass to the ceiling separating individuals, just like any grocery store has done to protect their cashiers. Improve the air exhaust from the classrooms, even if it looks temporary. They could have hired any not-yet-architect they test everyday for ideas.
I found some articles regarding the Illinois Bar examination going remote because of the risk of infection following the old testing method “due to continuing public health concerns raised by the COVID-19 pandemic”: https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-illinois-bar-exam-change-to-remote-20200723-nur3b7xhgvee3aapcl3wubmi34-story.html
And I quote from the article: "The change comes after months of student advocacy and a letter earlier this week from nine Illinois law school deans to the court recommending a remote exam." See what I mean saying that Architecture as a profession has turned its back to its members? In the middle of a pandemic!
And it keeps building up substituting the in-person testing: "the admissions board Thursday reversed its decision, referencing Illinois statistics that have “shown discouraging signs of a resurgence” of COVID-19. Illinois has seen an uptick in coronavirus cases over the last two weeks, recording its highest daily case count Wednesday since early June when the state was coming down from the peak of the outbreak here so far."
Another article titled: "In-person bar, med exams questioned amid virus fear", can be read here, originally from the Chicago Tribune from July 22: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/students-push-back-against-in-person-bar-and-medical-college-exams-amid-coronavirus-fears-we-re-forced-to-choose-between-our-livelihoods-and-our-lives/ar-BB172FN6
I am sure the statistics are applicable to the majority of states where Prometric offers the tests.
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Jared,
I agree completely with Harold. What reasons does he have to lie? In comparison with Prometric that has economic interests in it. We only want to take our tests in a safe environment, how is that seen as too much to ask? How is it that grocery stores take safer measures than testing centers?
All the other professions are taking measures to keep their test takers safe by remote proctoring. When is NCARB going to do the same? Remote bar exam is offered in October, does NCARB have a date for remote testing? Last time I checked NCARB was testing vendors in July 2020, when will that be available? Early 2021 is too far. If others can do it as soon as October, why NCARB can’t?
Also, I have been checking the Prometric website and I have not seen yet that it’s okay to use goggles or a face shield, and I received an email from someone at NCARB that in order for me to use goggles I would have to request it as a test accommodation to the state of NY. I replied to them to see your comment in the ARE community, which they have not answered to that yet. It seems that not even NCARB has sent out its own communication reinforcing this policy.
This is all very surreal. NCARB’s and Prometric’s response to the Pandemic is surreal. Our health and life do not seem to matter to you. If NCARB and Prometric’s primary interest was our health, we would not have to be pushing for permission to use goggles, or that they at least divide the areas in plastic cubicles, or that they update their mechanical systems (like every business in NY is doing preparing for the next phase of re-opening indoors), or that we should be able to do remote testing. Architects have taken a vow to protect the health and safety of the public, and the organizations that are testing us on that are failing us.
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NCARB did complete the interview phase of the RFP process for a future Test Administration vendor that can provide both on-site and online proctored exams. We are finalizing the details at this time, confirming some outstanding issues from the interviews, and evaluating the pros and cons of each solution as no one solution meets all the needs as desired.
Unlike some other test publishers that are viewing online proctoring as a temporary measure, NCARB is moving to a permanent online delivery option. The bar exam that is planned to be delivered online will not be accepted by all jurisdictions. Law candidates that take and pass that version will be required to retest in order to practice in other jurisdictions. One key value of the ARE is that the exam is accepted by all of NCARB's 55 member boards. The modifications necessary to securely deliver the ARE online are taking time both from a delivery adjustment perspective as well as selecting and integrating the appropriate online technology. The future online delivered ARE will be the same exam regardless of delivery in a test center or via online proctoring and NCARB is following appropriate test development standards to ensure that exam is fair for all candidates regardless of delivery modality. Simply put, NCARB is not going to rush to an online version of the ARE that is not properly vetted. NCARB is pursuing the ability to launch sooner than early-2021 but that can not be guaranteed which is why official communication notes a predicted early 2021 launch.
NCARB has adjusted testing policies to ensure that no candidate has to test on the ARE if they do not feel safe entering a Prometric test center. Rescheduling fees have been waived. A 9-month rolling clock extension was applied to ensure no candidate scores will be impacted for several more months. We are continuing to monitor the progress of the US in overcoming the pandemic and will continue to adjust the rolling clock as needed if testing continues to be disrupted.
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In the meantime, has Prometric offered to improve the cubicles area? Raising the dividers between test-takers? Has Prometric offered to improve the ventilation in the rooms? Has Prometric offered to measure the temperature of the test-takers before testing? Has Prometric presented a floor-plan to NCARB indicating the 6'-radius between test-takers? If so, what was the number of maximum takers per room per test?
Another way of putting it: has NCARB demanded to see all of the above?
Is NCARB's president, #Robert Calvani, aware of the way Prometric is testing? How about any Board Member: #Alfred Vidaurri Jr., #Bayliss Ward, #Jon Alan Baker, #Kenneth R. Van Tine, #Terry L. Arres, #Janet L. Hansen, #Philip M. Leinbach, #Robert W. McKinney, #John Patrick Rademacher, #David W. Hornbeek, #Edward T. Marley, #Gary R. Ey, #Katherine E. Hillegas?
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While NCARB ends reviewing the RFPs, there will be people testing and unnecessarily exposing themselves, every single day at a Prometric facility. And that is on you, NCARB.
We have been dealing with a pandemic since February in the US. Prometric has been dealing with it even before then having offices in China and all over the world. How come we have to accept NCARB's and Prometric's "surprise reaction" when it comes to testing? Prometric cannot say that it didn't know it was happening. You all had time to prepare for this and do it right, and accept it, failed at it, big time. As Jared reassured (above or in other thread) that he/NCARB was aware that Prometric could have done more. In times like this YOU JUST DO MORE.
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Harold,
Your assertion that people are unnecessarily exposing themselves every single day at Prometric test centers is an inflammatory statement that doesn't accurately reflect reality. Prometric continues to require face coverings for all candidates and employees and has implemented other sanitary measures at their test centers. Prometric continues to operate per local health ordinances put in place to protect the safety of occupants.
If you are not comfortable testing under the current conditions available as governed by your local ordinances - please don't test. NCARB has made all the necessary policy adjustments to support this decision. If you want your local ordinances to change, I suggest you approach your local representatives directly.
I understand your desire for more. I also understand that what you want will not happen based on the multitude of factors involved in this situation including your personal choices, the cost and efforts involved with the things you outlined, local and federal laws, and the necessity to balance access to the ARE for all candidates. There are thousands of other candidates that are comfortable testing under current conditions and they are choosing to do so. NCARB is not going to impose additional requirements that could limit access for candidates wanting to test as so much loss of access to the ARE has already occurred.
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Jared,
So I am clear, you propose I get ready for my exam on 8/31. Once I get to Prometric's location, request an individual room if Prometric does not offer 6'-distancing and if they have one available, I could test. If they don't have one, I should walk away and re-schedule for another day. I can do this for 9 months which is the extension of the rolling clock? Furthermore, I should prepare for one exam constantly until one day, if I am lucky, I get an individual room?
I don't know what the conditions are for another Prometric facility, but the reality that I went through, is the reality NCARB has not experienced personally. See the link below as an example from today's press.
Student in Colorado tests positive after being exposed during his Bar examination: https://www.cpr.org/2020/07/30/law-student-tests-positive-for-coronavirus-after-taking-colorado-bar-exam/
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Harold,
You should certainly prepare as needed for any upcoming exam appointments if you expect to choose to test. I would also offer advice, as I would to any candidate, to not over-study as you one can begin to overthink the questions that will be presented.
Based on your previous posts, it doesn’t appear you have been approved for testing accommodation to test in a separate testing room. I wouldn’t advise you go to the test center for an appointment unless you are comfortable taking the test in the testing room under the current conditions at that test center.
The odds of you getting to use the test center’s separate testing room if not assigned to that room via a testing accommodation are very small. As ARE appointments are at a minimum three-and-a-half hours in length, the likelihood that the separate testing room isn’t in use by an accommodated candidate from NCARB or another testing program sometime during your existing appointment window doesn’t seem likely to me.
You can certainly choose to reschedule your 08/31 now if you are not comfortable testing at your local Prometric test center. Since conditions are fluid, you could also wait until August 24th, contact your local test center at that time and verify their then-current testing conditions, and then choose to keep your appointment or reschedule.
As for the link you shared, I need to correct your statement, “tests positive after being exposed during his Bar exam”, as I read the article and it does not report a candidate testing positive with COVID-19 due to participating in the Bar exam. The article reports that an examinee took a COVID test prior to taking the Bar exam, that examinee did take the Bar exam, and then the results of the COVID test came back positive for that examinee. The article does not report that any other examinees or persons administering the exam who participated in the Bar exam at that same testing event have since been diagnosed with COVID-19.
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