All assistive personnel

If a candidate is approved to have assistive personnel in the testing room, the candidate must either be seated in a separate room or must be the only one taking an exam in the testing room. Pearson VUE notifies test centers for any exceptions to this process. Pearson VUE works with test centers ahead of time to schedule the appropriate room.

When multiple assistive personnel are scheduled to work during a candidate's appointment, each assistive person must work during the specific times indicated in the accommodation. The candidate may not request changes to the times when assistive personnel are scheduled.

In addition to the standard types of allowed comfort aids, assistive personnel may bring contact lens wetting solution into the testing room if the proctor inspects the container first. Confirm that there is no writing on the container and that there are no papers affixed to or hidden inside of it.

Assistive personnel may bring a covered container of water into the testing room. Before the assistive person enters the testing room, the proctor must check that the container appears to contain water, confirm that there is no writing on the container or papers affixed to it or hidden inside of it, and verify that the container is a squeeze bottle or bottle with a screw-top lid and straw. Uncovered containers are not permitted. The assistive person can remove the container from the testing room when taking a break in order to refill it. The proctor must check the container again when the assistive person returns. You do not need to create a case for containers of water.

At Pearson VUE Authorized Test Centers (PVTCs), assistive personnel must sign-in and out on the Test Center Log Sheet each time he or she enters or exits the testing room. The time must be logged on the log sheet.

At Pearson VUE Authorized Test Center Selects (PVTC Selects), you must log each time an assistive person enters or exits the testing room on the Site Visitor Log Sheet.

Personal care attendants (PCAs)

These assistive personnel help a candidate to use the restroom, take medication, and access stored personal items (food, drinks, medication, and medical equipment) outside of the testing room during breaks.

PCAs may not assist the candidate with the exam in any way and must stay in the waiting area at all times while the candidate is testing. Pearson VUE notifies test centers in a case for any exceptions to this process.

PCAs may bring something to read while the candidate is testing, such as a book, magazine, or newspaper, but they may not use electronic devices at the test center. All electronic devices must be turned off and stored in a locker if one is available.

Readers

These assistive personnel read the exam questions and responses to the candidate. Test centers are informed when a reader is granted for a candidate.

A reader may not help the candidate identify correct responses and may not answer the candidate's questions. Readers must not provide any clues about the correct answers and must keep facial expressions and voice tone and inflections neutral. Exams must be read as printed, word for word, with no interpretations.

The candidate can instruct the reader about which exam information the reader should read. For example, the candidate may want to call on the reader when needed or ask the reader to read and then stop.

The reader should not enter responses for the candidate unless he or she has also been authorized as a recorder for the candidate.

The reader can read the candidate's score report to the candidate if the candidate requests it. The score report must be read to the candidate in private.

Sign language interpreters

These assistive personnel help hearing-impaired candidates during all aspects of the sign-in and admission processes and during the exam tutorial. Test centers are informed when a sign language interpreter is granted for a candidate.

After the exam starts, the sign language interpreter must leave the testing room. The interpreter is not permitted to stay in the testing room with the candidate but must wait in the waiting area (unless the exam sponsor has approved the interpreter to stay with the candidate and the candidate has a separate room accommodation). The candidate will signal the proctor when the sign language interpreter is needed, and the proctor will notify the interpreter. The interpreter must be available within the test center at all times during the exam.

When possible, have the interpreting done in the test center reception area so that it does not disturb other candidates. If the candidate has a technical problem that requires your assistance, the interpreter may accompany you into the testing room.