Computer-Based Testing
Your testing confirmation information, sent to you after you schedule your test, lists your test selection, test date, testing time, and test center. Please report to the test center 15 minutes before your scheduled testing time. The consequences of arriving late to or missing a test appointment are noted in the late arrival policy
and absentee policy
.
Examinees scheduled to test in areas impacted by severe weather conditions or a natural disaster will be informed of test center closings. For more information about the notification process, read the test cancellation policy
.
For all tests, you must bring identification as described in the identification policy
to the test center on the day of your test. If you do not have proper identification, you will not be admitted to the test and you will not receive a refund or credit of any kind.
On the day of the test, you are not allowed to bring pencils, pens, or any other writing utensil to the test center. A pen and a booklet of erasable sheets will be provided to you for taking notes, writing an outline, or otherwise preparing your response. Any response recorded within the erasable notebooklet will not be scored.
You may wish to dress comfortably in layers. This will allow you to adjust for the temperature at the test center, which may vary and may not be under the control of the test administrators. Please wear soft-soled shoes to help maintain a quiet testing environment.
Refer to test center rules
for a complete list of prohibited materials.
The identification verification process includes other procedures in addition to checking your government-issued identification as described in the identification policy
.
As part of the identity verification process for computer-based testing, your digital signature will be taken at the test center, and a palm scan and/or a digital photograph may also be taken. These will be used only for the purpose of identity verification. If you do not allow your palm scan, photograph, or digital signature to be taken, you will not be allowed to test and you will not receive a refund or credit of any kind.
Note that a palm scan provided at the test center does not fulfill the fingerprint requirement for California educator certification.
Online Proctoring
Your testing confirmation information, sent to you after you schedule your test, lists your test selection, test date, and testing time. Sign in to your account and start your test within the exam window precisely 30 minutes before and up to 15 minutes after the specific appointment time.
Make Sure You Have the Right Equipment
You provide your own equipment for testing. You must have access to the following:
- Required—a desktop or a laptop; tablets and touch screens cannot be used for your exam
- Required—a single monitor; extra monitors are not allowed; you need to remove them from the testing room, if possible, or unplug them
- Required if using an external monitor with a laptop—you must have an external mouse, keyboard, and webcam and the lid of your laptop must be closed
- Recommended—a personal computer rather than a work computer, which may have additional security that can interfere with your testing session
Take the system test before you register
. This will determine if your equipment is eligible for online proctoring.
Prepare Your Testing Environment
For best results, prepare your testing environment before your appointment. Every online-proctored testing environment must meet these criteria:
- Quiet—background noise may distract proctors monitoring your exam session and could interfere with your session
- No interruptions—inform any other members of your household that you are taking an exam and cannot be interrupted during your entire appointment time
- Well lit—proctors must be able to see you and your testing space well; do not sit in front of a window or other strong light—if you are backlit, you are not clearly visible (draw shades or curtains, turn off lights behind you)
- Others cannot see your exam—no one else must be able to view your computer or monitor
-
Nothing in arm's reach that is not specifically allowed
-
ONLY equipment or materials that have been specifically approved for use during an online-proctored exam will be allowed; these must be on the desk during check-in
Note: there is a difference between what is allowed at a testing center and what is allowed in an online-proctored testing session
- If you plan to use your mobile phone for check-in, be sure to place it out of arm's reach after you finish using it; otherwise, place it out of arm's reach in one of your environment photos
- No one else in the room—ideally, you should prevent others from entering; if someone does inadvertently enter, say "Please leave; I'm testing." No other communication is allowed.
Required Identification
You must present proper identification at the beginning of the test session. Your identification must be a current, government-issued identification printed in English, in the name in which you registered, bearing your photograph and signature. Copies will not be accepted.
Acceptable forms of government-issued identification include photo-bearing driver's licenses and passports. The Department of Motor Vehicles provides acceptable photo-bearing identification cards for individuals who do not have a driver's license.
Review the complete Identification Policy
.
Paper-Based Testing
Your admission ticket lists your test selection, test center, test date, and reporting time. Please report to the test center no later than your scheduled reporting time. The consequences of arriving late to or missing a test session are noted in the late arrival policy
and absentee policy
.
Examinees scheduled to test in areas impacted by severe weather conditions or a natural disaster will be informed of test center closings. For more information about the notification process, read the test cancellation policy
.
If you have questions on the day of the test, contact Evaluation Systems by phone from 6:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Pacific time.
For all tests, you must bring identification as described in the identification policy
to the test center on the day of your test. If you do not have proper identification, you will not be admitted to the test and you will not receive a refund or credit of any kind.
In addition to bringing an acceptable form of identification, you must also bring the following with you to the test center:
- A printed copy of your admission ticket
(an electronic version will not be accepted)
- Several sharpened No. 2 pencils with erasers (no pens or mechanical pencils); pencils will not be supplied at the test center
If you do not have a printed copy of your admission ticket, please report directly to the Information Table at the test center. You may be required to complete additional paperwork, which may reduce your available testing time.
On the day of the test, you may wish to dress comfortably in layers. This will allow you to adjust for the temperature at the test center, which may vary and may not be under the control of the test administrators. Please wear soft-soled shoes to help maintain a quiet testing environment. Water bottles may be allowed in the testing room, provided they are clear, do not have a label, have a secure lid, and are stored under your seat, not on your desk, during testing.
Refer to test center rules
for a complete list of prohibited materials.
As part of the identity verification process for paper-based testing, your thumbprint will be taken at the test center. Thumbprints will be used only for the purpose of identity verification. If you do not provide a thumbprint, you will not be allowed to test and you will not receive a refund or credit of any kind.
Note that a thumbprint provided at the test administration does not fulfill the fingerprint requirement for California educator certification.
Enhanced security measures, including additional security screenings, may be required by test centers. If an additional screening is conducted, only screened persons will be admitted to the test center. If you do not proceed through the security screening, you will not be allowed to test and you will not receive a refund or credit of any kind.