Pearson Vue Testing Question - Help!

[marianne202]

Ok, I'm suddenly having a horrible time trying to get my last two EC exams needed for graduation, scheduled through Pearson Vue. My test center tells me they are dead without many people testing, but when I try to schedule an exam I'm only given the choice of 0 days in April, 1 day with only 1 test time in May, 2 days with only 3 test times in June and then nothing until the 3rd week of July! This is crazy for a test center operating 6 days a week. The last few times I've tested the room hasn't even been half full during my 2 plus hours there. I'm wondering if anyone has approval to take any exams at a Pearson Vue center that wouldn't mind logging in to their account to see what options they get for the Raliegh test center zip 27612. It doesn't have to be an EC exam, in fact it might be better if it isn't. This is the only test center anywhere near me and it is an hour away. The rest are 2 plus hours away. I don't want to miss out on graduation because of this problem. I tried calling Pearson Vue and the gentleman didn't even speak much English, so I don't know if he understood what I was trying to ask. He just said the test center submits the openings, but the test center is telling me no one is scheduling, but the online scheduling system shows no spots available. I wanted them to look into a possible software glitch, but he wouldn't. I have now contacted EC's test admin, but haven't heard back. I have already paid for 2 exams and the practice tests, but I may not be able to get scheduled before they expire! Is anyone else having this type of trouble? I never did until about 5 months ago. It just seems like EC no longer has priority or as many test spots with Pearson Vue. Any other ideas? I'm getting desperate. With such extremely limited space it is hard to work it into a work schedule and added drive time. I'm checking the website daily, being an old pro at this, but I'm afraid I will miss an opening. I just like to study for one exam at a time, but I may have to study for both at one time so I can go test at the first sign of an opening. Thanks in advance for any help!

[Lindagerr]

I have an EC test scheduled and I might have to change the time so I wanted to look anyway. I found that the Raliegh Center had an opening this Saturday the 10th, but nothing else in April. They did have several open dates in May. I found the same openings for my local center in Somerset NJ. When I looked at other centers they had other openings. If I were you I would try calling your local center, it might be worth the extra $10 to schedule the test with them over the phone. The number listed on the cite is 919-782-2258. I hope you can get this straight.

Now I have to decide if I want to drive an extra 1/2 hour to take the test on a Saturday or just do it on Friday when I have it scheduled. It all depends on if I am offered a long term teaching job or not. I wish the school would make up their mind.

[dharmachic]

I second Lindagerr's suggestion to call the test center directly to make an appointment over the phone. The last ECE I took, the test administrator was talking about how screwed up the online scheduling system was, because it kept showing no availability when the center was actually completely empty or plenty of openings most days. He recommended that the only way to find out true availability and best way to schedule is to make a phone appointment with the specific test center you're going to, even if you pay a small extra fee.

Hope this helps,
Helen

[marianne202]

When I call the local test center I just get a voicemail and never a returned call. It is really frustrating. EC called and they tried to search all the test centers even local colleges, but this one center is the only location authorized to test for them within a 2 hour drive. I'm going to check to see if they still have anything showing up in May.

Thanks for checking Linda!

Thanks!
Marianne

[scccsn]

My Pearson center's time slots are test specific since different tests are different lengths of time. For example, I had an ece scheduled and my nursing boards (you need two different log ins since they are 2 different schools) whenever i logged in, the testing availability dates and times were always different depending on the test type that you are signing up for.

BTW...
not sure if this is still pertinent... 27612 has 3 dates open april 17, 26, 27 (I used my ece nsg mgt exam to log in)

[TMW2010]

When I call the local test center I just get a voicemail and never a returned call. It is really frustrating.

This is the same experience I had with the VUE center here for my UExcel exam. It was quite maddening. I ended up waiting several weeks, and then ended up jumping into a spot for the next day that was shown as open. The sad thing is, this place had like 20 computers, and there were 3 people there testing. And the system showed it as locked down with no openings.

This had been my first experience with a Pearson center. In the past, I'd taken over 15 tests through Sylvan (though I had the option of taking them through either company,) and never had a problem with them, and all of the centers I went to actually even allowed you to do walk-ins...

I'm not impressed at all by Pearson. I wish EC had a partnership with Sylvan instead.