First, Microsoft dropped Prometric in favor of Pearson Vue. Now, an announcement from Microsoft says that they now have online proctored exams using your webcam and microphone. The move back to Pearson Vue was excellent news, but this is pretty awesome as well. I do have a few questions about it that I am waiting for answers, but overall it sounds like an excellent way to take an exam when you are not near a testing center. Or, if you want to take the exam on your lunch break at work. Right now, only a few exams are available, but I’m sure that number will increase in the future. I think I’m about ready for a couple new certs!
You’ll be asked to empty your pockets while on camera, provide a close-up on your ears so you can prove you’re not wearing a Bluetooth earpiece, do a visual sweep of your desk and the room… all things you’d expect a proctor to check if they were there in the room with you. If you ensure that all of the requirements are met before you check in for your exam, the whole check-in process should only take about ten to fifteen minutes. If you have as many Bruce Springsteen posters on your office wall as I do, add another five minutes for the proctor to inspect them all for hidden notes.