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mlawhockey
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Posted: Fri Aug 8th, 2008 06:57 pm |
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I've joked about a specific testing situation for a while with my buddies/co-workers, but here is the scenario for all to judge:
I wrote an exam at a prometric testing center. all the people testing were doing various exams (nursing, business, arch, etc.). The problem was that someone was fiercly cutting cheddar. And when someone finally complained (i didn't have the guts to say anything!!!) the protor just shrugged. he wouldn't even come back into the room after he was confronted with the problem.
it was brutal! 2 plus hours of that distraction.
my question is this (and it's not a joke): are you allowed to complain about that type of distraction in your testing environment?
i know we're all supposed to be adults and let these things slide, but the person in question (not sure who it was) should have excused themself from the writing environment, right? 30 other people had to sit through it...and vocalized displeasure with mini-outburst of "hey's" and "come ons".
thoughts?
Last edited on Fri Aug 8th, 2008 06:59 pm by mlawhockey
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Coach
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Posted: Fri Aug 8th, 2008 07:06 pm |
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That's complete BS!
I think a stern letter to Prometric is in order and copied to NCARB and your board.
I would treat this like any other test center problem.
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mlawhockey
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Posted: Fri Aug 8th, 2008 07:26 pm |
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| it happened a while back. i passed the exam. but still, it would have sucked if i failed. i laugh about it now, but it was a honest distraction.
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techman123
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Posted: Fri Aug 8th, 2008 07:28 pm |
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Yes, that is pretty odd. But on the other hand they might say "that's why they have ear plugs avaliable for you" or at least they do in Dallas. They are large uncomfortable shooting range type, but they do keep out the noise.
If it were me, I would still send a letter to NCARB and Prometric.
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Coach
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Posted: Fri Aug 8th, 2008 07:31 pm |
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Hell with the noise. It's the smell!
I would have gone out and told them to deal with it or they may very well have a nice steaming pond of vomit to deal with instead.
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FinitoCompleto
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Posted: Fri Aug 8th, 2008 07:45 pm |
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It's the sort of thing that Prometric is supposed to deal with - in the same way that they are supposed to deal with a candidate who is making a lot of noise, talking to himself, etc.
So sure, you're allowed to complain about it to the staff, and if that doesn't work you're allowed to file a complaint with NCARB.
But:
A) It's obviously a sensitive situation. It's the same as if the Prometric people interrupt somebody who is coughing loudly or sniffling. If they relocate this person in the middle of a test - or worse, if they discontinue his test and send him home- then he's going to file a complaint. And if they don't then the other testers will file complaints...
B) I think this is the more important problem here: You said you don't know who the culprit was in the room. And you were IN the room. So how is the Prometric staff, who is outside the room, going to identify him? Come in and smell each candidate? It seems a little impractical...
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mlawhockey
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Posted: Fri Aug 8th, 2008 08:17 pm |
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if i was free to walk around, i'm sure i could flesh out the culprit, as would most people.
it's like sound intensity: the closer you get to the source, the louder it is.
i wonder what would have happened if it had made someone physically sick? i'm betting they send all those computers to the buffalo testing center or something. lol.
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lel
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Posted: Fri Aug 8th, 2008 09:45 pm |
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Here's my story...
I was taking my BT exam (with other candidates taking other exams), a long day and it ends late. By the time at around 5 pm when the day is over, everyone is gone except me... Apparently the prometric staff are so ready to leave work for the day whenever I am done. There is this one staff coming into my exam room and start tidying up, lining up the chairs, dusting the computers and keyboards (!!!!!) Come on, I am taking my exam !!! That sounds crazy, right ?
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Coach
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Posted: Fri Aug 8th, 2008 10:06 pm |
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Oh, I'm not shy about that stuff. I would have firmly asked them to beat it.
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FinitoCompleto
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Posted: Fri Aug 8th, 2008 10:08 pm |
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Yes, that type of thing should not happen.
But to do anything about it these things should ALWAYS be reported to NCARB, as quickly as possible after the exam, whether or not you think that it affected your performance.
If NCARB doesn't get the reports about these things then they can't do anything about them in their negotiations with Prometric, and they don't have it as a reason to consider contracting the testing process to someone other than Prometric, and they don't know to consider it as a relevant factor in determining the length of the tests...
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alomu
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Posted: Sat Aug 9th, 2008 12:04 am |
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I would wager that most of the folks at Pro. have never sat for a exam of this magitude, or any exam for that mater, and do not have the understanding of the importance of the exam to the test takers. I would also further think that they are "doing their job" based on standard protocol of Pro.. To the proctors of the exam, it is simply a job. (chances are, not a very well paying job either)
I would also further that the proctors have quite a basic, yet rudimentary skill, in working the computers. Should a issue arise, I can see that the proctor has absolutely NO motivation to correct the issues of an exam taker. Being paid an hourly salary is not enough motive to the typical proctor. In Defense, Why should it be....
IMO: If folks wish to point fingers, then those fingers should be pointed to Ncarb. They created the mess. It is their problem child and the Pro. proctors are simply doing the bare min. required by their job description to enforce Ncarb.
Unfortunately, ARE candidates must, yet again, bow to the mighty authority of Ncarb.
If things are to change in the testing centers, Ncarb must make the changes, Pro. is simply the grunt following the instructions of the General.
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brudgers
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Posted: Sat Aug 9th, 2008 06:57 pm |
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| I don't think NCARB is responsible for farts.
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mlawhockey
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Posted: Sat Aug 9th, 2008 09:25 pm |
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brudgers wrote: I don't think NCARB is responsible for farts.
yet i'm responsible when i drop a big 'brain turd' during the test.
it costs me 6 months of my life (waiting), 4 or 5 productive work (billable) hours and another $110-170 bucks for the test.
imagine if i had failed by one question? maybe a fragrent environment wouldn't have had me distracted?
one never nose, er, i mean 'knows'.
Last edited on Sat Aug 9th, 2008 09:26 pm by mlawhockey
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brudgers
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Posted: Sat Aug 9th, 2008 09:28 pm |
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Yes, you are responsible.
If that's a problem, you should consider a different line of work.
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mlawhockey
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Posted: Sun Aug 10th, 2008 11:19 am |
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brudgers wrote: Yes, you are responsible.
If that's a problem, you should consider a different line of work.
hey mr negativity: how does having a issue with an uncomfortable testing situation equate to needing a new line of work?
you deal with this problem daily in the office? or do you just like to argue/debate every issue in this forum, nomatter how unnecessary your opinion is?
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jessicc
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Posted: Sun Aug 10th, 2008 01:46 pm |
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| I think they may not realize that they caused distress to others.But since done, they should admit their mistake and apologize to ensure that no next time. Last edited on Thu Aug 14th, 2008 12:37 pm by jessicc
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jmcarr
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Posted: Wed Aug 13th, 2008 03:08 am |
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| I am going side with human decency, and take a stand here. It is not OK to rip farts in a testing center. Come on, people. We live in a civilized society. It might be permissible to cut some cheddar at the gym, but at a testing center? Unlike the gym, at the test center, people's careers and livelihoods are on the line. Heck, if the proctors did nothing, I would have called 911, and had the offender arrested. Well, that's a little drastic, but still, that was completely inappropriate. And, this is doubtful, but, if by some remote chance, the offender suffers from a digestive disease, then that person should have requested special accommodations.
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LoadB
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Posted: Wed Aug 13th, 2008 01:48 pm |
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| I agree with you jcarr, but what type of special accomodations? A personal exhaust fan with direct vent? Maybe a cork? Or would that cause too great of a pressure build-up?
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graspin
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Posted: Wed Aug 13th, 2008 05:30 pm |
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get this:
i tested yesterday and had the closest door to the main entrance of the testing space. halfway through my exam (mech/elec) i could hear a low rumbling of noises. it was distracting...right over my shoulder. and i finally figured out what it was: the guys who logg you into the center were watching something on their computer.
when the door was closed you couldn't realy hear anything, but the second anyone asked to go the washroom, or leave the testing area i was distracted by the noise. plus, the reflections of the 3 of them clustering and moving around that particular computer were transposed directly on the left side of my screen...where you read the freakin' questions!!!!
i didn't finish the exam. 7 or so questions to go. i marked all 'C's', with literally a second to spare. only afterwards (when i left) did i see exactly what they were doing. i honestly feel they robbed me of about 5 to 10 minutes 'distraction time'.
i know working at prometric must be pretty boring, but they were basically f*cking with my future. unacceptable. i think i'm gonna have to call about this.
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jmcarr
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Posted: Wed Aug 13th, 2008 05:46 pm |
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Graspin, you should complain. This is unacceptable. Also, I found the glare on the outdated Prometric computer screens to be distracting, as well. Next time, try tilting the behemoth, monster monitor downward before starting the test. And, if all else failed, I would hold my scratch paper with my left hand to block the glare while answering questions with my right hand (I'm right-handed).
Also, this is quoted from Wikihow: "Don't always guess the same letter, like A,A,A,A,A,A... When you have absolutely no idea and they all sound right guess either B or C. It is proven that these two are usually the answers."
There are many multiple choice help guides on the net. This one seemed decent: http://www.studygs.net/tsttak3.htm Of course, adequate preparation helps, but the multiple distractions at the test centers could derail even the most thorough preparation.
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graspin
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Posted: Wed Aug 13th, 2008 06:22 pm |
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i called and all they did was give me a ticket number. whatever that realy means??? basically, i have to write and fax a letter the the ARE outlining my complaint, which i already gave to prometric.
it probably doesn't help my score, but if it means that others don't get shafted, than i'm happy to assist.
sidebar: it's funny when you're taking M&E and get a test question about "GLARE" in offices with computer screens, and you find the question especially hard to read...because of the glare on your screen. lol.
Last edited on Wed Aug 13th, 2008 06:23 pm by graspin
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RK
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Posted: Wed Aug 13th, 2008 09:03 pm |
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mlawhockey wrote: brudgers wrote: I don't think NCARB is responsible for farts.
yet i'm responsible when i drop a big 'brain turd' during the test.
it costs me 6 months of my life (waiting), 4 or 5 productive work (billable) hours and another $110-170 bucks for the test.
imagine if i had failed by one question? maybe a fragrent environment wouldn't have had me distracted?
one never nose, er, i mean 'knows'.
Man, try taking a hill in battle when the enemy is firing bullets at you. Talk about bad work conditions.
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jmcarr
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Posted: Wed Aug 13th, 2008 09:09 pm |
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Another possible use of Prometric's scratch pad during exam: Paper Fan! 
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stl-guy
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Posted: Thu Aug 14th, 2008 04:37 am |
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mlawhockey wrote: I've joked about a specific testing situation for a while with my buddies/co-workers, but here is the scenario for all to judge:
I wrote an exam at a prometric testing center. all the people testing were doing various exams (nursing, business, arch, etc.). The problem was that someone was fiercly cutting cheddar. And when someone finally complained (i didn't have the guts to say anything!!!) the protor just shrugged. he wouldn't even come back into the room after he was confronted with the problem.
it was brutal! 2 plus hours of that distraction.
my question is this (and it's not a joke): are you allowed to complain about that type of distraction in your testing environment?
i know we're all supposed to be adults and let these things slide, but the person in question (not sure who it was) should have excused themself from the writing environment, right? 30 other people had to sit through it...and vocalized displeasure with mini-outburst of "hey's" and "come ons".
thoughts?
Yes you can complain about the tooter. I would speak to Tina Hawkins or Michael Hays at NCARB. Insist that you not only be allowed to wear ear muffs but also nose plugs while testing.
Any distraction can effect your test scores. I once flew across the country on a plane next to someone who must have crapped in his pants. It was awful.
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sam09
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Posted: Thu Aug 14th, 2008 12:34 pm |
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jmcarr wrote:
There are many multiple choice help guides on the net. This one seemed decent: http://www.studygs.net/tsttak3.htm Of course, adequate preparation helps, but the multiple distractions at the test centers could derail even the most thorough preparation.
Hey,
Thanks for the link
__________________
Sam Thomas
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Coach
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Posted: Thu Aug 14th, 2008 05:56 pm |
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| These spam boys think they're so clever.
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Punchlist
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Posted: Thu Aug 14th, 2008 07:37 pm |
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stl-guy wrote: I once flew across the country on a plane next to someone who must have crapped in his pants. It was awful.
"Dude, I just sharted." - Phillip Seymour Hoffman in 'Along Came Polly'. 
I'm one of those who gets distracted very easily. In my post-BT exam write-up, I start by recounting how one fellow test-taker in the testing room was coughing his brains out for over two hours. Good.............God. I honestly contemplated murder at that moment. I think I really did do a quick search to my right and left to see if there was an instrument with which to bludgeon this person to death. And this was no simple tickle-in-the-throat cough.
Maybe they should set up the testing rooms to resemble the old school porn houses wherein we'd each get our own private booths. Oh wait, that's a confessional. 
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stl-guy
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Posted: Fri Aug 15th, 2008 01:51 am |
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jmcarr wrote: I am going side with human decency, and take a stand here. It is not OK to rip farts in a testing center. Come on, people. We live in a civilized society. It might be permissible to cut some cheddar at the gym, but at a testing center? Unlike the gym, at the test center, people's careers and livelihoods are on the line. Heck, if the proctors did nothing, I would have called 911, and had the offender arrested. Well, that's a little drastic, but still, that was completely inappropriate. And, this is doubtful, but, if by some remote chance, the offender suffers from a digestive disease, then that person should have requested special accommodations. Great idea. Since there are no phones in the test room he would need to have the proctor call 911 and tell them he smells gas.
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baby_architect
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Posted: Fri Aug 15th, 2008 02:38 am |
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Punchlist wrote: I think I really did do a quick search to my right and left to see if there was an instrument with which to bludgeon this person to death.
that's why you take in TWO pencils..hahaha
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stl-guy
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Posted: Fri Aug 15th, 2008 02:43 am |
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baby_architect wrote: Punchlist wrote: I think I really did do a quick search to my right and left to see if there was an instrument with which to bludgeon this person to death.
that's why you take in TWO pencils..hahaha
Another great idea, The two pencils could be used as nose plugs if gas masks are not offered by the test center.
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brudgers
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