Can I bring my own earplugs/earmuffs?

Hi all. I did a search first since thread redundancy seems annoying. Totally new to IT certs and never been to Prometric/Pearson VUE facilities. Can I bring my own earplugs or NRR earmuffs (like I use at the shooting range) to help me tune out auditory distractions? Not sure if I'll be sharing the room with others, but it might help me focus. No cheating whatsoever (no electronic headphones, just passive noise protection).

Not sure what's allowed in exam rooms. Thanks.

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gateway

Most likely you will be sharing the room with others, I don't see an issue with earplugs but you are probably best to take them with you and check with the testing centre when you arrive.

Edit: welcome to TE by the way

slinuxuzer

The testing center I use in shreveport LA, has shooting style ear muffs, I generally don't wear them, but there is a major highway 20 feet from the testing station so I have had to use them. I can't imagine them not allowing yours in.

Devilsbane

At most, if not all, testing centers that I have went to they have earmuffs at the station. But I have never needed them, everyone else in there is testing too so noise shouldn't be a factor.

But you probably cannot bring your own in. You get your license, and sometimes a credit card to take with you. No keys, no watch, no food or drink, probably can't bring your own earmuffs in.

phantasm

I bring my watch in. No way in hell I'm leaving that with the receptionist. They never give me grief over it either.

arwes

I never needed anything like that until my 70-291 test. The leaf blower didn't help matters when I was trying to work out a subnetting problem in my head.

Devilsbane

phantasm wrote: »

I bring my watch in. No way in hell I'm leaving that with the receptionist. They never give me grief over it either.

Prometric, at least for Microsoft tests, requires it to be removed. It is contraband, and if you have it in the test room you are subject to having all of your credentials removed and being barred from testing again. I had a watch years ago that was a calculator and could store 100 memos, can't be using those on the test.

They do give you a locker with a key to it, so your stuff is locked up. But I'm sure that they have copies of the keys. If you are so concerned over the safety of your watch, what do you do with your wallet?

earweed

I just leave all my stuff in my car. The testing center I use has earplugs for whoever wants to use them. I've never used them as outside noise seems to be nonexistent there (I think the testing room is soundproofed) and the only sound I hear during testing are the voices in my head..j/k

arwes

Devilsbane wrote: »

Prometric, at least for Microsoft tests, requires it to be removed. It is contraband, and if you have it in the test room you are subject to having all of your credentials removed and being barred from testing again. I had a watch years ago that was a calculator and could store 100 memos, can't be using those on the test.

They do give you a locker with a key to it, so your stuff is locked up. But I'm sure that they have copies of the keys. If you are so concerned over the safety of your watch, what do you do with your wallet?

My testing center didn't ask me about anything, but I always leave my cellphone in the car. In all the testing I've done, nobody's ever asked me to remove my watch, but it's pretty obvious it's just a watch...no calculator or anything like that.

MentholMoose

Devilsbane wrote: »

They do give you a locker with a key to it, so your stuff is locked up. But I'm sure that they have copies of the keys. If you are so concerned over the safety of your watch, what do you do with your wallet?

Not all of them have lockers. One place actually told me to wrap my stuff in my jacket and put it in an unlocked hall closet, next to everyone else's stuff, and the janitor's cleaning supplies! I had no choice since I didn't drive to that test center and couldn't stash my stuff in my car, but luckily nothing disappeared.

Devilsbane

You would be surprised that sometimes a watch is more than a watch. I had another one years ago that would hold memos that didn't look like a calculator.

I leave my phone/watch/wallet in the locker. While it is possible (an quite likely) that there is a master key, a person working there shouldn't be stupid enough to steal something, it is video taped. While my car could get broken into by anyone.

Candidate bans

If a candidate is caught cheating, violating testing rules, or diminishing the security and integrity of the Microsoft Certification Program in any way, the candidate will not be permitted to sit for any future Microsoft exams. Such fraud includes, but is not limited to, the following:
Falsifying score reports

Cheating during the exam

Disclosing Microsoft intellectual property (IP)

Falsifying your identity or impersonating another individual

Using unauthorized material in attempting to satisfy your certification requirements

Bringing non-authorized items into the testing center

Violating the Microsoft Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) in any way

Violating the Prometric exam agreement in any way

Microsoft Learning: Microsoft Certification Exam Policies

I'm still looking for a list of the "non-authorized items" I am also looking for a copy of the prometric agreement.

subl1m1nal

I've been to 3 testing centers here in Iowa. 1 of them had lockers. 2 don't.

I have had different experiences with different testing centers. The one I went to for A+ was a community college, and they didn't have a designated room. The test administrator physically took a PC out of his office, and set it up in the middle of the computer lab. I was the only person there in a 40 computer lab. No dividers or anything. Pretty open all around me. It felt weird. I don't think I was required to leave my wallet or anything in the car. I signed in and it was all good. Passed, but it was an awkward facility. It was my first cert, so I didn't know what to expect.

Another testing center, a closer to me community college, has lockers. I was asked after showing my ID to put my stuff in the locker. No biggie. I believe this one was Net+ and I passed. There were more people taking tests and there were dividers.

The last facility I've used is my favorite testing center. The room is small with dividers. They provide ear plugs and have dividers (I never use the earplugs). There have been a few times where there were 4 people testing away, most of the time 2 or less. My only complaint about that facility is that one time, I took a test and it was so hot in there. Afterwards, the testing admin came in and said "you should have came and told me". I didn't want to get up to be accused of cheating. At this facility, one of the previous test admins was laid back and only asked if my phone was in the car. The latest lady is a little more strict. She makes me take my wallet out to my car. I'm always given the option of leaving my stuff with them, but I never take that chance. I'd hate for something to happen and me get P.O.ed at them.

I doubt they'd let you take in your own earmuffs because they can be altered to include speakers. But you never know. I think it depends on the testing center and the admin giving the test.

Devilsbane

subl1m1nal wrote: »

I doubt they'd let you take in your own earmuffs because they can be altered to include speakers. But you never know. I think it depends on the testing center and the admin giving the test.

Sadly, even if the admin lets you bring contraband in, you are ultimately responsible for it. After the test, the tapes get turned over to Microsoft for review. I doubt they review every one, but if your tape gets selected and they see you bring an item that is not authorized, then you will still have your certification taken away. I don't think they would take them all away for some ear muffs, but I'm sure it would prompt a review of all of your tests.

There is a way to request special accommodations. You could make the claim that any noise whatsoever distracts you, and maybe they can set something up. Not sure if this would apply, but it is something you could try. Microsoft Learning: Microsoft Certification Exam Policies

Edit:

I'm just looking over the form, one of the options is a separate room. But there is also an other category.

On another note. There is also extra time. You can request 1.5 or double the testing time. Sounds like bull to me.

Fugazi1000

Devilsbane wrote: »

After the test, the tapes get turned over to Microsoft for review.

I'm not convinced this is true. I test at many different locations (the convenience of living near London) and cameras are not present in most of those test rooms. The sheer number of tests being taken and at the huge number of test sites is the reason that MS has given the task of overseeing proctoring to ProMetric. If ProMetric do not stipulate that a test centre must have cameras, then they cannot be checking via that method. Random checks with targetting where they have specific knowledge or suspicions is far more likely.

subl1m1nal

Fugazi1000 wrote: »

I'm not convinced this is true. I test at many different locations (the convenience of living near London) and cameras are not present in most of those test rooms. The sheer number of tests being taken and at the huge number of test sites is the reason that MS has given the task of overseeing proctoring to ProMetric. If ProMetric do not stipulate that a test centre must have cameras, then they cannot be checking via that method. Random checks with targetting where they have specific knowledge or suspicions is far more likely.

I agree. Microsoft oversight on tapes would be too resource intensive for them. Thats why they have Prometric do the testing. Not saying that the tapes can't be turned into Microsoft. I'm sure they could be submitted as evidence if needed. I think it's just the policies of the testing center as to what you can take in. One testing admin was okay with my keeping my wallet in my pocket, the other made me take it out to the car. Where do you draw the line? Is it going to be to the point where you can't have any pockets?

I think they should relax a bit on the policies as to what you can bring in and focus their attention on the brain dumping. I guarantee more people are cheating using **** than brining in material with the answers on it.

Devilsbane

Fugazi1000 wrote: »

I'm not convinced this is true. I test at many different locations (the convenience of living near London) and cameras are not present in most of those test rooms. The sheer number of tests being taken and at the huge number of test sites is the reason that MS has given the task of overseeing proctoring to ProMetric. If ProMetric do not stipulate that a test centre must have cameras, then they cannot be checking via that method. Random checks with targetting where they have specific knowledge or suspicions is far more likely.

Maybe overseas is different, but I think in every test center I have went into posts a sign saying that the entire place is on camera. And while that could be an exaggeration, it isn't by much as I can see cameras in all the big places. Especially the one that is pointed at me the entire time I am testing.

Devilsbane

subl1m1nal wrote: »

I think they should relax a bit on the policies as to what you can bring in and focus their attention on the brain dumping. I guarantee more people are cheating using **** than brining in material with the answers on it.

I agree with the policies, they want you to have no personal belongings. Do you know how many people have tried to slip **** sheets into the test? That number would likely go up substantially if now you can keep things in your pockets. (I'm actually surprised that they don't pat you down.)

And maybe .001% of the tapes get any type of attention. That is a 1in 10,000 chance that your tape gets reviewed. Is that worth risking your career on?

As to changing their focus to target brain ****, that would actually require work on their part. With the item restrictions, the work is placed on prometric. While I don't support ****, I would rather someone **** their way than bring a **** sheet in. At least the dumper had to memorize some things.

arwes

Devilsbane wrote: »

After the test, the tapes get turned over to Microsoft for review.

I hope they enjoy my happy dance every time I pass a test.

Plantwiz

Cert Poor wrote: »

Hi all. I did a search first since thread redundancy seems annoying. Totally new to IT certs and never been to Prometric/Pearson VUE facilities. Can I bring my own earplugs or NRR earmuffs (like I use at the shooting range) to help me tune out auditory distractions? Not sure if I'll be sharing the room with others, but it might help me focus. No cheating whatsoever (no electronic headphones, just passive noise protection).

Not sure what's allowed in exam rooms. Thanks.

Call ahead or better yet, go visit the facility.

I have not been to a center that permitted ANY items being brought in, and personally, I think that's a good policy. Most of my college classes were this way too during exams. If in doubt, leave it home.

Easiest would be to contact your center prior to your exam to learn what is expected of a candidate, this will save you being frustrated the day of your exam, moments before your exam begins (and the entire way through the exam).

phantasm

Devilsbane wrote: »

Prometric, at least for Microsoft tests, requires it to be removed. It is contraband, and if you have it in the test room you are subject to having all of your credentials removed and being barred from testing again. I had a watch years ago that was a calculator and could store 100 memos, can't be using those on the test.

They do give you a locker with a key to it, so your stuff is locked up. But I'm sure that they have copies of the keys. If you are so concerned over the safety of your watch, what do you do with your wallet?

I don't carry a wallet, just an ID and a bank card. Secondly, my test center does not have lockers. They place everyone's personal effects into the same unsecured drawer. Since I take my tests before work I have my watch on, no way in hell I will leave a $900 (before anyone says anything it was a gift) watch in an unlocked drawer with everyone else's stuff.

When the day comes, and if it comes, that I take an exam at Prometric I will leave my watch home. Until then it does not leave my wrist an any test center.

Michael.J.Palmer

Every testing center is different in how they police their testers. The testing site I use is a private facility within my school. The administrator on duty takes all of my belongings and keeps them behind the front receptionist desk while I'm testing. So far I've only actually had one other person testing with me on the two tests I've taken, I was alone in the testing room for the 271 and another guy was in there for the 272 so I've lucked out on there not being any noise factor.

Plantwiz

phantasm wrote: »

..... Since I take my tests before work I have my watch on, no way in hell I will leave a $900 (before anyone says anything it was a gift) watch in an unlocked drawer with everyone else's stuff.

When the day comes, and if it comes, that I take an exam at Prometric I will leave my watch home. Until then it does not leave my wrist an any test center.

I'm not seeing why you'd 'need' to bring a watch with you? It could be left home that day or in a car. There are clocks all over the place, on PCs, on phones (mobile and desktop), office buildings, vehicles, buses, signs on buildings etc.. that an arguement to 'need' a watch during an exam is purely grounds to push buttons (either your own or the exam center). Surely, 1 day, without a watch could be survived?

Where are your exams taken now since you stated 'IF" you go to Prometric?

phantasm

Plantwiz wrote: »

I'm not seeing why you'd 'need' to bring a watch with you? It could be left home that day or in a car. There are clocks all over the place, on PCs, on phones (mobile and desktop), office buildings, vehicles, buses, signs on buildings etc.. that an arguement to 'need' a watch during an exam is purely grounds to push buttons (either your own or the exam center). Surely, 1 day, without a watch could be survived?

Where are your exams taken now since you stated 'IF" you go to Prometric?

Pearson Vue. I understand everyone's opinion and respect it. But I wear a watch 24x7; for me to leave it home is like leaving home without your bank card. I just have to have it on.

To each there own. As to why I don't leave it in the car, the test center is not in the best neighborhood. But I digress, if we should continue this line of conversation then lets move it to private messages. I don't want this to turn in to another "Do you hang your threads at work" kind of thread.

TheShadow

In all the tests I have ever taken I have never been asked to remove my watch. I have a collection of expensive watches and wear what ever suits me in the A.M. so that would just be a lost $125 or what ever that day.

I was once asked to remove a medicine lozenge that was in my mouth. They even called prometrics hot line to see if it was permissible. So I had to wait 15 minutes and then do the "all gone mommy" thing. The lady even complemented me on the watch of the day but was more worried about my medicine.

I think these places make it up as they go along based on what prometric or vue tell them during training. My favorite place has peephole and fish eye cameras all over but never mention that they are there. I always heard that it was Vue that demanded them. The people taking the airport security exams seem to have their picture and finger print taken. Kind of weird seeing them studying xrayed luggage while a circle clock spins down.

Devilsbane

Plantwiz wrote: »

I'm not seeing why you'd 'need' to bring a watch with you? It could be left home that day or in a car. There are clocks all over the place, on PCs, on phones (mobile and desktop), office buildings, vehicles, buses, signs on buildings etc.. that an arguement to 'need' a watch during an exam is purely grounds to push buttons (either your own or the exam center).

I have never known what time it was inside the test center. I don't need to, it doesn't matter. I think it just might be part of the mystery to psych you out for the test.

phantasm wrote: »

But I wear a watch 24x7; for me to leave it home is like leaving home without your bank card. I just have to have it on.

I also wear a watch and have done so every day since 1st grade. But I can make it for 3 hours without one. There have been times that I have taken it off to go to bed and it gets bumped or I misplace it and I go a day without it. Or when I go swimming I'll take it off. Slightly annoying that I keep looking at my bare wrist for the time, but I can always get it through other methods.

apd123

arwes wrote: »

My testing center didn't ask me about anything, but I always leave my cellphone in the car. In all the testing I've done, nobody's ever asked me to remove my watch, but it's pretty obvious it's just a watch...no calculator or anything like that.

Its pretty insane that in 2010 we are still worried about the use of a calculator. If I am trying to qualify to teach mathematics take my calculator otherwise what is the point. I think it would be more valid for a IT test although still insane to not give someone a mouse and see if they could use tab and enter to complete the exam.

apd123

Devilsbane wrote: »

And maybe .001% of the tapes get any type of attention. That is a 1in 10,000 chance that your tape gets reviewed. Is that worth risking your career on?

See you miss the problem that getting caught cheating does not cost you a career many employers and vendors are even the ones encouraging the dumping. At the end of the day for some it is all about sales not the knowledge or technology.

Devilsbane

apd123 wrote: »

See you miss the problem that getting caught cheating does not cost you a career many employers and vendors are even the ones encouraging the dumping. At the end of the day for some it is all about sales not the knowledge or technology.

But once you get caught, Microsoft takes your certificications. Now you could continue claiming that you have them, but my 10 year old cousin can claim he has them too.

Oh and by the way, I just got my CCIE, CISSP, and MCSE.... Except I don't have the knowledge to back them up (because I cheated on them), or the paper to prove that I have them (because they took it away). Maybe my next employer will just trust me on it?

apd123 wrote: »

Its pretty insane that in 2010 we are still worried about the use of a calculator. If I am trying to qualify to teach mathematics take my calculator otherwise what is the point. I think it would be more valid for a IT test although still insane to not give someone a mouse and see if they could use tab and enter to complete the exam.

Every MCP exam that I has taken has provided me a calculator on every question, but I have yet to use it. And the Network+ exam provided a calculator on all the questions that they deemed it might be needed on. They obviously don't have a problem with a calculator, they just want to control what tools you have available to you. Not fair if someone brings in a calculator that also has memory on it, and it would be difficult to police.

MentholMoose

Devilsbane wrote: »

Every MCP exam that I has taken has provided me a calculator on every question, but I have yet to use it. And the Network+ exam provided a calculator on all the questions that they deemed it might be needed on. They obviously don't have a problem with a calculator, they just want to control what tools you have available to you. Not fair if someone brings in a calculator that also has memory on it, and it would be difficult to police.

To expand on that, the policy is not just to prevent you from bringing information into the exam room (**** notes, etc.), but also from bringing it out (e.g. a camera or other recording device to steal the questions).

subl1m1nal

I never have an issue with not bringing items in. The wallet thing for me was kind of odd, as I use it to store my identification, but I understand it. I can also understand watches not being allowed. The only time I'm concerned about is how much time is left on the test. A wristwatch for me would be nothing but a distraction. I also don't think there is a clock at my testing facility.

Best bet is if you're in doubt, leave it at home, work, or in the car. You don't want to be suspected of cheating and have your certs taken away.

Matt27[lt]

Earplugs/earmuffs would have been useful in my last exam. It was a hot day so they opened the window. They asked me if it's ok, I said yes. It was ok, till the police car stopped near by with the siren on. Got totaly distracted for like 10 minutes. For the rest - it was my first exam so didn't know much about what to expect. Read the rules in test center page (two different ID's etc.) and went. Put my belongings in the locker ant that was it. And, they don't ask about the watch.
Next time I would like to use earplugs, so I'm going to ask them in advance.