ECE Exam & Isaac...what now?

[mrs.b]

I have my very last exam coming up, and once it is done, I can get the transcript on its way and apply for graduation. I have studied and feel like I will be ready in the few days remaining...except now we have a tropical storm that is predicted to be a hurricane pointed at the area, expected to make landfall just a few hours before my exam. Aside from now splitting study time to include hurricane prep, when I scheduled with Pearson Vue, there were not many time slots available that did not conflict with scheduled work travel until late September, which will put transcript receipt in a big rush to avoid paying another year's enrollment. If I do not take the exam this week, I'm very nervous about having enough time to get the transcript to TESC in time for my enrollment cut-off (Oct. 1) and graduation application (also Oct. 1). We have the storm prep just about done (hurricane boxes were prepped at the beginning of the season, and we already have boards cut to size and bolts fixed in the brick around windows so that will just take a few minutes). So a few questions about the exam...

1) What is the absolute latest date I could realistically take the ECE exam and still expect TESC to "receive" the transcript?
2) Has anyone had weather or similar circumstance interfere with a Pearson scheduled time, and how did it work to get it moved? When I signed up, all the paperwork said if *I* moved it, I would forfeit exam cost or pay a fee, but this is not my doing or choice. My house is typically in a mandatory evacuation zone, so I may not be here if the storm does not keep nudging east.

Edited to add: I tried calling the testing center yesterday and today, but no one answered; left a voicemail today. Yesterday, I got on a live chat with Pearson (and I assume it was someone at some head office) and they said the local office would make any determinations and call. I am trying to work out plans with the family, though, so I'm not sure if or when they will call.

[contactmail]

In my experience it takes about 5 days for the ECE transcript to arrive at TESC. You can reschedule the ECE exams online without a problem. The TESC guidelines say, "If a transcript from an external institution has not been received, you will need to have it SENT to the College by the graduation deadline." So as long as you apply before Oct 1 and have requested the transcript before that date you should be fine.

Oh and it takes an additional 1-2 days before it will even appear on your ECE transcript.

[contactmail]

I should add that Excelsior has a rush service for the transcripts ($30 additional fee). I have used it once but Excelsior seems to get them sent right away anyway.

So I would plan for around 10 business days: (Take the test >> 1-2 days for it to appear on your ECE transcript >> Up to 3 days for it to be mailed to TESC >> 5 days to arrive.)

[mrs.b]

That helps, thank you! So long as I take it before mid-September, it should work out. If it does reschedule, I may ask if I can move it to a testing center in one of the locations I will be traveling. End of September was the next date that my schedule matched up with the local testing center, but I suppose I could take the exam while on the road this month.

[bella2011]

i may have missed it somewhere, but do you get your ece exam results instantly like you do with CLep and DSSt?

i am guessing the exam is computer based?

if it is paper based what is the wait time to get your results?

[contactmail]

i may have missed it somewhere, but do you get your ece exam results instantly like you do with CLep and DSSt?

i am guessing the exam is computer based?

if it is paper based what is the wait time to get your results?

Yes, computer based and you get your results right after the test.

[mrs.b]

Well, I ended up rescheduling the exam myself to a different Pearson testing facility after a comical conversation with the local one. They intended to stay open and hold testers to their appointments and the forfeiture of exam fees if the appointments were missed, despite tropical storm forced winds that may build to hurricane force (150 miles from New Orleans, but we've already got TS-force winds all day today and it is still 10+ hours before landfall), in a town notorious for flooding in heavy rains, forecasted 24-36 hours of pounding rain when the ground cannot hold much more, mandatory evacuations in portions of their county and the two neighboring ones, and requests from EMS for civilians to stay off the roads for emergency vehicles until Wednesday night. They said they would remain open unless forced to close. I'm not sure if they thought the Governor would call them directly, but I rescheduled my own appointment and contacted Pearson's main office to let them know a local branch intended to put their employees and testing clients in danger and they might want to handle that. I got a call last night from the local office to reschedule the appointment despite already moving it; I guess someone shared the weather report with them.

The facility I moved the appointment to is a 2.5 hour drive away, but I used them for DSST testing a few weeks ago, and they were organized, professional, and most importantly, sane, so if another major weather event comes through next week, I feel confident they will handle it better.

[LaterBloomer]

You'll be in my thoughts both for the hurricane, and the test. It seems, though, as if you have everything "nailed down." Good luck.

[mrs.b]

We are far enough away that, while we are getting some weather, we are not getting it nearly as bad as others, and due to the uncertainty of the track until yesterday, prepared as if we were going to get a direct hit; we will be fine. I'm using these unexpected days off for additional study time, so I feel good about the test. My concerns and thoughts are with the people in New Orleans. The Army Corps have done a lot of work on the levies but the work is not yet complete, and this is the first real test. The storm is moving so slowly that I'm afraid their hard work will be road tested hard today and tomorrow despite it only being a Cat1 storm. They are on the east side of the storm - the worst side due to the way the storms spiral and regain strength as they rotate - so New Orleans and the MS coastline could use those thoughts and prayers. Imagine an F1 tornado staying directly overhead for 24-36 hours straight. The Army Corps do good work, but that is a big test.