Office layout and environment

Sites are required to provide a distraction-free, secure testing environment with continuous candidate surveillance. If your site is already administering exams, the layout of your office is probably sufficient. If you are setting up a new site, the exact layout will vary depending on the physical space available and on the number of candidates that will be accommodated. For more information, or for assistance in planning a new testing area, contact your local Pearson VUE office.

The following minimum requirements must be met when setting up an exam delivery room:
  1. Provide an enclosed, professional environment that is clean, comfortable, smoke-free, and conducive to testing.

  1. Provide adequate lighting, ventilation and comfortable seating and work surfaces. Place exam delivery workstations on a clean surface that is approximately four feet (1.2 meters) wide, with no obstructions overhead or underneath. Monitor positions should be adjustable to allow each candidate to establish a comfortable testing position. Room lighting should provide sufficient light for keyboard and erasable noteboard while avoiding screen glare.

  1. Separate candidates within the exam delivery room. Separate exam delivery workstations using walls or privacy partitions, or at least four feet (1.2 meters) of empty space on all sides.

  1. Disallow use of equipment such as printers, fax machines, copiers or telephones while testing is in progress.

  1. Minimize noise and distractions during testing. Refer to the Provide a quiet testing environment topic for tips.

  1. Provide a clear glass viewing window or wall, or seating for a test administrator within the exam delivery room. Whichever surveillance method is used, it must allow an unobstructed view of each candidate within the exam delivery room. See “Proctoring an Exam” in Chapter 9 of the Pearson VUE Authorized Test Center Policies and Procedures guide for more information on proctoring exams.

  1. Provide a separate area outside the exam delivery room for checking in candidates, with a workspace for the testing administrator and seating for candidates who are waiting.

  1. Provide lockers or other suitable storage for personal belongings. The candidate cannot take items such as pagers, paper, books, and briefcases into the exam delivery room. See “Storing Personal Belongings” in Chapter 8 of the Pearson VUE Authorized Test Center Policies and Procedures guide for details on personal belongings.

  1. Provide adequate parking and/or access to public transportation.

  1. Provide access to people with disabilities, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (in the United States) or your country-specific requirements.

What is next?

Provide a quiet testing environment

 

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