ECE's Going to Pearson

[libartsmgr]

I got a letter in the mail today from Excelsior stating that they were moving off Prometric and to Pearson Vue for testing.

The letter basically said that if I was planning on taking my exam by Aug 30, I can still do it at Prometric. Sept 1 is their cutover date.

I honestly didn't read the letter in depth because I'm taking my test this weekend, but I just wanted y'all to be aware if you have already paid or are planning on paying for ECE's just consider the timing of when you're going to test.

If you've already paid for an ECE, I would assume, you'd your letter pretty soon, if you don't already have it.

[snazzlefrag]

Originally Posted by libartsmgr

I got a letter in the mail today from Excelsior stating that they were moving off Prometric and to Pearson Vue for testing.

The letter basically said that if I was planning on taking my exam by Aug 30, I can still do it at Prometric. Sept 1 is their cutover date.

I honestly didn't read the letter in depth because I'm taking my test this weekend, but I just wanted y'all to be aware if you have already paid or are planning on paying for ECE's just consider the timing of when you're going to test.

If you've already paid for an ECE, I would assume, you'd your letter pretty soon, if you don't already have it.

What is Pearson Vue? Is it similar to Prometric? Is it going to be harder to find testing centers?

Edit: Here's the link to the Pearson Vue web site: http://www.vue.com/ (Check out the "What's Happening At Pearson Vue" section for more info about their contract with Excelsior).

[anar579]

Originally Posted by snazzlefrag

What is Pearson Vue? Is it similar to Prometric? Is it going to be harder to find testing centers?

It seems to be a similar type of testing company. I tried checking for nearby testing centers, but it's difficult because each Testing Program seems to have a different set of centers. I guess we'll have to wait and see exactly which sites will proctor ECEs in September.

http://www.vue.com/

[libartsmgr]

Originally Posted by snazzlefrag

What is Pearson Vue? Is it similar to Prometric? Is it going to be harder to find testing centers?

It's probably Prometric's biggest competitor - although they lag way behind in my opinion. Yeah, it probably will be harder to find testing centers. I did a search for test centers in San Antonio (for Microsoft exams since they are most widely available) and only found 2. There are 5 Prometric centers in San Antonio.

Pearson is known for agressively going after business. They probably gave EC a great rate, but in the end, it gives us less choice.

Go to www.vue.com to poke around. They even have the press release on their home page. This must be a coup for them.

Edit - I should add, that I'm not anti-Pearson per se, but I do know they've been trying to get business from Prometric for years. Most companies have to sign exclusivity with their testing centers. It was a big deal when Microsoft went to Pearson AND stayed with Prometric.

Prometric is kinda like Wal-mart - they're established and they're everywhere. Pearson is trying to become Wal-Mart.

One more edit - I should also add that all Pearson centers will offer the ECE's. They testing center administrators don't pick and choose like is possible with DSSTs or others.

[anar579]

Originally Posted by libartsmgr

It's probably Prometric's biggest competitor - although they lag way behind in my opinion. Yeah, it probably will be harder to find testing centers. I did a search for test centers in San Antonio (for Microsoft exams since they are most widely available) and only found 2. There are 5 Prometric centers in San Antonio.

Pearson is known for agressively going after business. They probably gave EC a great rate, but in the end, it gives us less choice.

Go to www.vue.com to poke around. They even have the press release on their home page. This must be a coup for them.

Edit - I should add, that I'm not anti-Pearson per se, but I do know they've been trying to get business from Prometric for years. Most companies have to sign exclusivity with their testing centers. It was a big deal when Microsoft went to Pearson AND stayed with Prometric.

Prometric is kinda like Wal-mart - they're established and they're everywhere. Pearson is trying to become Wal-Mart.

Joanne is right as far as availability. I checked that press release and they mention ECEs will be offered at "Pearson Professional Centers" throughout the world. I checked Florida, and there's only one of these centers in my entire county. I mean, Miami is a fairly large city, and there's only one center in the middle of nowhere. It seems they only have one center in each heavily population area, and that's it.

I'm disappointed... I thought all along that although ECEs are much more expensive than DANTES, at least I didn't have to waste a lot of time and gas driving to a far away center. So much for that...

[siersema]

Make sure to look at the "Professional Centers". Like Prometric the IT exams are at different centers than the "Professional" ones. Your search using Microsoft would have shown the wrong center. I'm lucky since the nearest Vue is close to the nearest Prometric.

[snazzlefrag]

This link shows you ALL Pearson Professional Centers.

http://www.vue.com/ppt/

[snazzlefrag]

For some reason, there are TWO PPCs in Pittsburgh. I don't know why we would need two when several much larger cities have only one.

I guess Pittsburgh is just a really cool place!

[Librevore]

Originally posted by anar579
I'm disappointed... I thought all along that although ECEs are much more expensive than DANTES, at least I didn't have to waste a lot of time and gas driving to a far away center. So much for that...

Just like most change - this will probably work out better for some, worse for others and not much change at all for the rest. I'm feeling bad for those of you, like anar, where it will make it harder. I can relate anar. When I start taking Dantes and ECE tests it will be a 3 hour drive one way. Was kind of hoping that this would be a change for the better, at least in that respect. Looks like the closest center will still be 3 hours away... But at least it didn't get worse. And I am feeling very happy for those of you who will have it easier.

Librevore

(Ah, yes, Pittsburgh, more bridges than any city in America. Over 700 right? You must have some beautiful rivers. That is cool. Not as cool as the Northwest, but hey, you can't have everything.)

[snazzlefrag]

Originally Posted by Librevore

You must have some beautiful rivers.

If thick brownish-green toxic floating sludge is beautiful....then yes! Our rivers are absolutely gorgeous!


Just teasing! I do think Pittsburgh is beautiful. But I'm biased.