Opening a Prometric Testing Center

Hey all,

I was thinking about opening up a testing center for a supplementary income to what I make already. I am having trouble finding any specifics on the amount you earn per test or even how the testing center's income would be determined. Also, any other details about this topic would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

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msteinhilber

Given how most every test center I've ever been to has been using exceptionally old hardware, I can't imagine the commission is all that much. I wouldn't at all be surprised to find out it's only in the $5-10 or so range per exam and that's probably only after you reach a particular quota. Most every testing center I've ever been to was also a company that offered classroom based training and the on-site testing center was likely just a value-added bonus to their customers.

netsysllc

I had a long discussion with a test center owner a few years ago and he said for prometric that he didn't even get paid until after the 50th test for the month and it was only about $5-10 a test. So the first 50 tests were for free with no income. About the only place in this city of 1,000,000 people is a corporate Prometric center. New Horizons does testing too but very few days are open to the public. Pearson is even worse as New Horizons is the only place and again if you don't take a class there forget getting a seat for a test.

cyberguypr

Opening a testing center was my final project for one of my classes a few years ago. I did find that the economics suck, as msteinhilber said. The only way this works financially is if you have another use for the center. In my case I paired it with an IT training center and was able to come with a business plan that made sense. Testing by itself won't cut it.

DoubleNNs

A lot of the testing centers around my way have shut down this past year.

Additionally, I'd echo what everyone else above me has said.

yzT

I don't know the requirements of Promectric but to open a Pearson center you have to own a company for a year. That's it, you don't even need a physical location. For instance, I did the Sec+ at the house of the owner of the "test center".

tpatt100

Yeah any testing center I have been to had training as their primary form of income, testing was just there as a convenience.

Priston

The testing center I normally go to is a testing center for Pearson Vue and Prometric. When I take a test, there is usually about 4 people that enter the testing room within an hour. It looks like they do testing 30 hours a week so that's ~500 tests a month if they make 5 dollars per test they only make 2500 a month. I think the test center I go to does training also, just not sure when and how often.

gc8dc95

The testing center I typically use is decent size and all brand new equipment, but I would agree with most everyone else that I don't think the money is coming from the testing. It is on a college campus. I am sure that is why there stuff is always up to date. It seems that is how it is around here, since we have several colleges/universities in my area.

They are also registered with tons of proctors, most of I have never heard of, so I suppose that could help.

JDMurray

Many testing centers are part of a training organization or college. A center is not to be a profit center for the organization, but instead to supply a service to their students and to the surrounding community. I just saw a job opening for a proctor at a college testing center near me and the position is $10/hr and variable work hours as needed. This indicates a very low budget operation.

I would think you would need to open up a combination testing center/Internet cafe/coffee house to earn a positive revenue flow. Throw in some occasional computer gaming tourneys and a local Minecraft server and you might have a winner.

cyberguypr

Forget it JD, even though I know you want it bad, you are overqualified for the position

jsmith6

netsysllc wrote: »

I had a long discussion with a test center owner a few years ago and he said for prometric that he didn't even get paid until after the 50th test for the month and it was only about $5-10 a test. So the first 50 tests were for free with no income. About the only place in this city of 1,000,000 people is a corporate Prometric center. New Horizons does testing too but very few days are open to the public. Pearson is even worse as New Horizons is the only place and again if you don't take a class there forget getting a seat for a test.

Hey netsyllc is there any chance you could get me in contact with the test owner you mentioned? Thanks for the post!

jsmith6

cyberguypr wrote: »

Opening a testing center was my final project for one of my classes a few years ago. I did find that the economics suck, as msteinhilber said. The only way this works financially is if you have another use for the center. In my case I paired it with an IT training center and was able to come with a business plan that made sense. Testing by itself won't cut it.

Hey cyberguypr, thanks for the post! Is there any chance I could take a look at your final project? If not, any additional specifics or resources would be appreciated.

Qord

The college I work for is thinking about bringing both pearson and prometric in house, despite the fact that it looks like we'll actually be losing money on the deal. It's my understanding they've already got everything worked out for Pearson Vue, and that's happening in a few months, but Prometric is telling us we have to be open to the public which is something someone paid much more than me didn't want to happen.

netsysllc

jsmith6, I will look into the contact info but the place closed up about 3 years ago.

MAC_Addy

I've noticed the decline of home-town computer stores closing their doors for testing. When I lived in Arkansas, the closest one was in Branson, MO - it consisted of two machines that were ancient. From what I hear, they may still be open. I don't live near there anymore, so I'm not entire sure. Where I live now, all the testing centers are at the local universities.

JDMurray

cyberguypr wrote: »

Forget it JD, even though I know you want it bad, you are overqualified for the position

I actually would be interested in working part-time, nights/weekend at a testing center that supported all of the major testing vendors just to get a more "inside baseball" understanding of testing center operations. I'd like to hear some good dirt on the test vendors themselves too. It looks like a job for college kids, but it wouldn't be permanent or my day job.

vamsi7667

Hii everyone,

I need some details regarding prometric.

i want to open a new prometric center in my city.i will be opening all with new equpiment.i haven't start any organisation yet.i will be opening every thing new.Is this good ?and how much money does prometric give for us.and i haven't got any details of prometric.how can i contact them directly.

please help....

moe12

https://www.prometric.com/en-us/become-a-test-center/documents/How-to-Become-an-APTC-Test-Center.pdf

https://www.prometric.com/en-us/become-a-test-center/academic-professional-corporate-exams/Pages/requirements.aspx

vamsi7667

can I know how much they pay for a test or they will pay according to no.of people attend the test?
how they will pay? and how much?

Pishof

You need a minimum number of test takes a quarter before they even start paying you. The pay per test is very low. You need two certified test administrators available. Require a prometric testing server, workstations, and very strict monitoring guidelines with secret shoppers. You have to consistently watch the test taker preventing you from doing other work.

Even as the only center in a city, you will make no profit. The testing center is only for convenience as others said. Even places like colleges that have interns or student works watch the center probably don't even break even.

We are the only center in the city and profitability would be unimaginable.

Edit: We are the only center that does Microsoft testing. Another prometric exists but doesn't do IT tests. It seems Peason Vue does the majority of technology tests now.