Storing personal belongings

A "personal belonging" is any item a candidate brings to the test center that is not either approved by the exam sponsor or pre-approved as an accommodation. These belongings are not allowed due to security reasons. For example, candidates can hide notes in a purse or briefcase or send out information about an exam through their mobile phone.

Candidates are allowed to take only their primary ID and approved items into the testing room. All personal belongings must be stored in a secure area or kept outside of the test center, such as in the candidate's vehicle. This information is on the rules agreement that the candidate receives and signs. Candidates are informed that Pearson VUE is not responsible for forgotten, lost, or stolen items.

Candidates are discouraged from bringing any personal belongings to the test center because the items must be stored in a secure space and are not permitted in the testing room.

Follow these steps when you get to the admission step about telling candidates where they can store their personal belongings:

Explain to the candidate that no personal belongings are allowed in the testing room except for his or her ID. The belongings must be kept in a secure space provided by your test center or returned to the candidate's vehicle.

For more information about what items are and are not allowed in the testing room, see Personal belongings that must be stored, Permitted personal items, and Comfort aids.

Check the exam sponsor's client reference for specific requirements that an exam sponsor may have about which items may be brought into the testing room.

If a candidate insists on taking an unapproved item into the testing room, explain the policy again. Ask the candidate to store the item, and advise the candidate that you need to report the situation if he or she does not cooperate. If the candidate still refuses to store the item, follow the candidate misconduct process (WIN process). For more information, see Responding to candidate misconduct. Create a case immediately, and include information about the type of item the candidate refuses to store.

All candidate wallets must be stored. However, if a candidate insists on not storing his or her wallet, allow the candidate to take it into the testing room but only after you inspect it. Ensure that it does not contain loose pieces of paper that can have notes written on them and can fit into a candidate's pockets.

When a candidate is taking a break, the candidate is permitted to access stored personal items if permitted by the exam sponsor. Generally, candidates are not allowed to access personal items during unscheduled breaks unless it is necessary, such as medication. Candidates generally may access items during scheduled breaks because these breaks usually come during section breaks when items already answered can no longer be accessed. See Break policies, and always check the exam sponsor's client reference for specific requirements.

Show the candidate where to store his or her personal belongings.

A secure space for candidate belongings can be any space in which candidates cannot access the belongings during the exam and in which the items are safe. Neither you, other test administrators, the candidate, nor other candidates should have access to the items during a candidate's exam.

Lockers, locked drawers, locked cabinets, or a locked room can be used for storage at PVTCs. Center-owned, locked bags or backpacks work well for storage at PVTCs. Candidates know their belongings are safe at their feet, but they cannot access them during the exam. Unlock the bag or backpack after the candidate returns the erasable noteboard.

PVTC Selects are required to have one locker per delivery workstation for storage of a candidate's personal belongings.

A test administrator's desk drawer or out-of-reach shelf space is not acceptable as a secure storage area.

PVTC Government Centers that are correctional facilities are not required to provide locked storage in the check-in area or testing room. Instruct candidates to store any personal items away from the testing area.

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