Test Run before each exam on consecutive days?
Hi,
I passed my first 3 exams through online proctoring last weekend and am planning to take my next 3 this weekend. I am wondering, since I am taking them back to back, if it is really necessary to schedule a test run before each one? NCARB says that you must schedule one before each exam which I understand if you're resetting your physical space. For me, it is already set up, been approved multiple times now, and since I can only schedule them after I complete each test, it gets really tight with the scheduling.
I am worried that if I do not complete a test run before my exam because scheduling is tight on back to back days I might not be able to launch my exam due to NCARB rules. Does anyone have any extra information regarding this formality? Is it truly required or it is it "required" ie at your own risk if you don't but you can still take the exam. I'm hoping the latter.
Thanks,
James
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Hi James,
That's a great question that I don't know the answer to. I would call NCARB and ask them - there are enough people that that situation applies to that there should be a clear answer, but it's definitely worth asking.
If I were in that situation, if the answer is "you still have to do one for each", I'd try to schedule my test run for my first exam in the set as early as I can to have it qualify, then do the others in succession afterwards to tick the box - you probably know that already, but worth mentioning. Given the relative frequency of technical difficulties with remote proctored exams (~8% from the last figures I saw), I'd be hesitant to take a remote exam if I can reschedule free still without having completed a qualifying test run. Also worth speaking to NCARB re: the challenges of having to wait to complete one to be able to schedule the next when you can schedule multiple exams - they might be able to help untangle that even if you will have to do a separate test run for each.
Best,
Ralph, the Amber Book Team -
Thanks for the reply, Ralph. Upon calling I found out that you do not technically need to schedule a test run in order to start an online exam but, for others reading this, only do this if you have already been approved, are not changing your setup, and are 100% sure your system won't run into any issues. That's my situation. My prior test runs were critical to confirming and setting up my space. It took me a while to get everything right. However strict you think online proctoring is, multiply that by 10.
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Hi James,
It was my understanding that you had to have a test run before your exam to qualify for any kind of seat credit if there were technical issues on your actual exam - the question I had was in your situation where you're taking multiple tests very close together, will they let any test run within the past say 48 hours qualify you for a seat credit refund if there are any technical issues that result in your test being interrupted, or if you have to have a unique test run for each exam seat. It sounds like if you don't have a unique test run for each attempt, you are taking some chance that there may be a problem, and if there is, no refunds - is that right?
Setting up for remote proctoring definitely isn't something to take lightly - especially with the update coming June 1!
Thanks for the info!
Ralph -
Let me contribute to this discussion by saying that no, one does not have to schedule a test run for each and every online exam. It is neither a requirement nor a prerequisite.
Passing the test run also does not guarantee that you will not encounter technical difficulties during the actual exam. For example, you may forget to plug in the ethernet cable if it is not something you use on a daily basis.
However, as someone who successfully completed all NCIDQ and ARE exams online, I would highly recommend running the NCARB system test to ensure your computer meets the requirements, and also testing your camera, microphone, internet connection, and overall setup ahead of time.
Good luck to everyone!
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Galchenko12,
It's not a prerequisite or a hard requirement to schedule a test run, but there are consequences that you open yourself up to if you don't, which is what I was getting at. Whether or not it had to be a unique test run for each seat was my main question.
From the bottom of Pg 26 of the current ARE 5.0 Guidelines:
Candidates who do not complete a PSI test run prior their online-proctored exam and are unable to launch or finish their appointment due to technical issues or an ineligible testing environment will forfeit their exam fee.
If you do complete the test run and then have problems, then there is the possibility of getting a seat credit for your retake, if you don't complete the test run and have problems, then you're out your money.
Best,
Ralph, the Amber Book Team
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