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Subject Topic: FAQ - Test Center Reports Post ReplyPost New Topic
  
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chienluver
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Joined: 26 Jul 2006
Location: United States
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Posted: 03 May 2007 at 16:04 | IP Logged Quote chienluver

I just wonder if we should start a discussion on the test centers. It is
because some test centers may have outdated equipment and a nasty test
environment.

For example, I took my first test at the San Jose, CA center this week. The
monitors were more than 10 years old (CRT, not LCD). So were the mouse
(track-point mouse, not optical one, with the track-point malfunctioning
at times) and the keyboard. The monitor was placed very close to my eyes
and I could not push it back further. The screen kept flashing/refreshing
once in a while and this just killed my eyes. The keyboard was slightly
smaller than the normal size.

Also, upon returning from my break, I had to stand in line to wait for the
staff to finish registering with one person before I could sign back into
the testing room. This counted against my time, of course.

On the other hand, the temperature was ok--not too hot or too cold. The
restroom was not too far away. Parking was sufficient.

Forum Host: can we start such a discussion and have it placed on the top?
I believe this thread would benefit candidates greatly if they could avoid
test centers that suck.
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ChicagoILCpa
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Posted: 07 May 2007 at 14:42 | IP Logged Quote ChicagoILCpa

Yes i agree with u

__________________
CA Board Thank God i'm through!
FAR 10/19/06 84
BEC 08/15/06 80
REG 02/28/07 82
AUD 08/05/07 79
Ethics 10/30 94
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snoopylover
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Joined: 07 May 2007
Location: United States
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Posted: 15 May 2007 at 15:10 | IP Logged Quote snoopylover

Mine has annoying squeaky chairs and monitors that hum.

The last time I tested, some workers were using a jackhammer on the sidewalk out front.  I supposed I could blame them for my 73.

:P

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chienluver
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Posted: 15 May 2007 at 15:21 | IP Logged Quote chienluver

ChicagoIlCPA and Snoopylover, can I contact you to ask some questions
about AUD? My email is malaymary [at] gmail.com

Edited by chienluver on 15 May 2007 at 15:22
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snoopylover
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Posted: 15 May 2007 at 15:48 | IP Logged Quote snoopylover

Sure..I emailed you.  Ask away.  Though as I keep saying, I haven't passed yet.  I am stuck in a continuous stream of 73s.
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dacalo
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Joined: 23 Apr 2007
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Posted: 04 Jun 2007 at 19:30 | IP Logged Quote dacalo

I agree, the worst for me was the CRT monitor. I have these freak eyes which can see flickers if the refresh rate is lower than 80Hz, which the monitors at the test site were. My eyes were bloodshot red by the time I finished the tests. It's 2007 people, get some LCDs!

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ratatouille
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Joined: 30 Aug 2007
Location: Singapore
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Posted: 07 Sep 2007 at 00:26 | IP Logged Quote ratatouille

Hi folks

Does anyone have prior experience with test centers in California?
I'm travelling to the US to take the exam in Nov and have the choice of 22 test centers in California. Really don't know which to choose as I'm not familiar with the place.

I hope to choose one that is conveniently located with good facilities (I've heard of noisy test centers with broken computers??!)

Will appreciate if anyone can share their experience with test centers in California. Thanks!!
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wwotw
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Joined: 17 Nov 2006
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Posted: 07 Sep 2007 at 09:39 | IP Logged Quote wwotw

I have done all my testing at Shoreham Road in San Diego. Quiet, professional building with a courtyard & fountain. The testing computer screens are old monitors (not flat) and in your face, but the equipt. worked! I like the atmosphere. Good luck wherever you choose.

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REG 83
AUD 83
FARE 75
BEC 75
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txcpacandidate
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Joined: 14 Jun 2007
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Posted: 18 Sep 2007 at 15:15 | IP Logged Quote txcpacandidate

I agree 100%. I test in Tyler, TX and the only thing i can complain about is the old school monitors that are so big you can't slide them back out of your face. 

Edited by txcpacandidate on 18 Sep 2007 at 15:45
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Stoneman
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Posted: 28 Sep 2007 at 17:42 | IP Logged Quote Stoneman

I took mine in downtown San Francisco.  It's about 15-20 miles from the SF airport.  There are hotels close by the test center.  Needless to say there's also Chinatown if you're craving for Asian food.  You only need to catch a taxi from SF airport to downtown, get settled in a hotel, and you're all set.  Everything, groceries, drug store, hotel, restaurants, shopping, etc., are within walking distance (5-20 mins walk) in downtown.

Test center is not bad.  Computers of course are not the fancy one, it comes with old, huge monitors.  But it serves the purpose of getting the exam done.  I don't know if that will bother you but the proctor will go into the exam room every 5-10 mins to "check" on test takers.  But I think it's the same for all Prometric test centers.  I could be wrong. 

The proctors/receptionists can be anal during the exam check in process.  I wore a pair of trendy jeans and it has a "string" attached to it.  They asked me what is that.  I was like....can't you see, it's a string, it's the style.  They made me take it off and store it in the locker.  So ridiculous.  I almost use that string to strangle them.  And since it was cold, I was wearing a jacket.  And this woman proctor kept asking me to take it off.  I did not take it off and gave her the look.  What a bunch of retard.  They just don't use their brain.  There are tons of surveillance camera in the exam room and I must be a real idiot to cheat in that environment.  Sometimes you just can't tell what their tiny brains think.....

I noticed in another posting that you're taking all exams in 1 week.  Good luck and I think it's doable.  I have seen another poster who did it in year 2006.  Seems like he/she is also international candidate.


__________________
AUD: 7/2/07 - (90) Passed on 8/24/07
BEC: 7/2/07 - (82) Passed on 8/16/07
FAR: 8/31/07 - (87) Passed on 9/21/07
REG: 7/28/07 - (79) Passed on 8/23/07
Ethics: Passed on 9/25/07.
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