Collective Response for ARE exam test takers with "Fatal Errors"

[Leslie Tom]

Today a Phoenix Intern Architect just had her NCARB ARE exam crash on her at Prometrics (we thought this was just a Tucson thing).

So, what should you do if it crashes or have problems with their exams? My sister Kegan, just had her exam crash on her last month, and there are now 5 people in total this past month in Tucson who's computers have crashed on them while taking the exam, that we know of...

Since, so many people's exams are not working -- we're developing a checklist of what to do. Since there is also so much fine print, and a number of interns did NOT get Refunded due to NOT following the below directions. (Please help us develop this rough checklist)

When your test fails do the following --

1. STAND UP and RAISE your hand and tell Proctor to try to fix the problem, if the problem is FIXED or NOT FIXED please ask the Proctor to REPORT this. (if you don't report, you may not get refunded)
2. You have to write (fax or snail mail) a complaint to Prometrics (my sister will provide example -- and we'll see if this letter works)
3. Send copy of this letter also to State Board (AZ Board of Tech Reg.) and/or NCARB (can be emailed -- should get response email, if NOT follow up)


My sister is willing to share this letter so we don't have to each write a letter. What other proactive things should we do? Please use this thread to come up with ideas... Who else has this happened to? Maybe we can discuss how to begin to resolve this issue at one of the Assoc. Lunches.

[Kavita.Kumar]

This is very unfortunate indeed. My husband had a similar incident happen to him at Prometric when he went to test in Texas. However the test crashed on him befor ehe could answer his 1st questions and the incident was reported for a credit to re-schedule the test. Prometric didn't issue a refund, but a credit. This was 2 yrs back, don't know if this has changed since.

[kegan]

Hello
I attached a letter that I sent to prometric and ncarb.
Make sure to fax or snail mail a letter to them if your computer has problems.

My test froze during the vignette portion - my timer kept going and I had to wait for the proctor to come and unfreeze my computer. I'm not sure if there are additional steps that need to be done- since I haven't heard back from NCARB or prometric...

The red text in the attached word document is text that needs to be changed if others would like to use the letter

Hope this can help others...