Just kicked out of exam!

[jroldham04]

I was taking exam 4 from home.  On question 92, decided to take a break.  I followed protocol and the test said paused, on break. The proctor placed the exam on hold and it clearly stated it was "on hold, break in progress" or something similar.  I reentered after less than 1 minute and my proctor kicked me out of the exam!  It showed all previous questions as locked, so it's not like I could cheat.  I guess I failed to ask the proctor for permission but the test itself indicated it was paused and on a break. I had a gut feeling not to do it and just push through the need for a break.  This is unbelievable, and I was doing so well.  I called PSI and after being on hold for a very long time they said I am basically hosed.  The break setup was incredibly misleading.

I also called CLARB and they said I need to email them the specifics, but that best case I get refunded and retest in December, worst case I don't get refunded and test in December.  I have never had an experience like this in my life, I guess testing in person is probably better.

[J]

I took my test from home as well and just FYI for future test taskers, during the check in, it does clearly state that you need permission from the proctor before taking a break. But also, when I needed a break and I chatted my proctor, I literally had to start waving my hands on screen, and they took like 30-45 minutes to get back to me. I agree that testing in person is better if that's an option for where you live. This whole new system is terrible.

[jroldham04]

I agree, I did see something like that. However, there is a take a break icon.  When pressed, it says you must review all answers and submit as you can't go back and they will be "locked".  So, after doing that, I received a screen that said break in progress, all previous answers locked, etc.  The screen was basically blank with the "break in progress" or whatever terminology in the middle,  no questions or answers available.  There was a "resume exam (or test, can't remember)" button.  I clicked that upon return, and all previous answers were locked.  Then it went to question 93, and 10 seconds in I was notified about the termination.  My assumption (and critical mistake it appears) was that the proctor was notified with this process and that they placed the exam on hold.  Doing this, then having to message the proctor and wait during exam time is redundant, and the screen should have said "please wait for your proctor to approve your break" or something in red, or whatever.  You should either be able to click the break button or be required to message the proctor and they then place the test on hold.  The test being placed on hold, making it appear like it is ok but not having the proctor's blessing to leave the room is misleading at best.  I more or less messed up, but I do want to let people know it can be very misleading when in a stressful environment (test).   Sorry to vent.  Good luck to everyone still testing.

Also, for the record, I took Sections 1 and 2 from home in Dec 2020 and was able to take a break each time, and this was not an issue.  It was a good experience.  It was simple and clear.  So far PSI seems terrible and I personally would have rather pearson vue do online for secs 3 & 4, but whatever. 

[shawn...@gmail.com]

I have an in-person test this afternoon for section-1. Just got an email that they canceled it for "emergency". 

[Kindra Ericksen]

I just took my exam yesterday.  I had a lot of problems with the psi browser, I took the remote proctored one. Crashed on me three times. I had to sign back in and do the whole room scan identification process three times.  Last time they assigned a different proctor and they made me scan my desktop  like four times when the previous proctor had already approved it.  Extremely frustrating with all of this crashing the whole test took about four hours… and that was section 3.  Definitely not very happy with their system with psi.

I’m sorry that the guy kicked you out and the brake thing was messed up I was afraid to take a break so I just held it.  I just didn’t drink a lot of liquids before the test but four hours is a long time to hold it!  I just didn’t want to lose my chance to be able to go back through the questions at the end.

I guess the worst thing you could do is just put a towel under you or something if you have to lose your bladder… adult leak proof undergarments?    I wanted to go back on the questions I had questions about and flagged… definitely a trade-off.