* Disclaimer – This article will not provide insight or information regarding the exam questions. This will only pertain to the experience scheduling and setting up the online exam. *
As one of the Instructors at PAN, I think it is important to understand the process and steps our members take to schedule PearsonVUE’s online exam “OnVUE.” So, I decided to let my commission expire, and take the exam online to share my experience firsthand with you.
Once the Department of State received and accepted my notary reappointment application, I received an email inviting me to create a login and schedule my exam with PearsonVUE. PearsonVUE allows test takers to either take the exam in person or online. Applicants may only take the online exam once. If you fail the exam online, you must retake the exam in person.
The first and only hiccup I had, surprisingly, was at this stage of the process. PearsonVUE prompted me to create a username and password. I did that, but was unsuccessful with logging in. It took the system about 20 minutes to update me on that end, then I was able to log in.
I chose to schedule my exam online via OnVUE. The exam was set for March 7th at 9:15 am. Once I scheduled the exam, I received an email confirmation with a lot of essential information. In the confirmation, they recommended testing my system, acquiring an acceptable form of ID, and preparing my testing space before the exam day. I did this the night before the exam, and this is a crucial step in the process. I made sure my testing space had nothing on the table except my personal home computer (an iMac), keyboard, and mouse. Before I tested my system, I downloaded the OnVUE program that is needed to run the system tests and exam. When I started the system test, it required me to go into my system settings to allow OnVUE to access my microphone and camera. Once I did this, my system passed the test, and I was set for the exam the next day.
PearsonVUE recommends checking in 30 minutes prior to exam time, so that is what I did. At 8:45 am, I started the check in process. The check in process began with running another system test on my computer. I had programs running in the background, and the system test advised me of this. I needed to close Google Chrome and Safari. Once I closed those two programs, my computer passed the system test.
After the system test, I was prompted to either scan a QR code that would take me to PearsonVUE’s web site, or to type in my phone number to receive a text message with a direct link. I chose the QR code option, and it took me to the web site. The next step was for me to upload photos of my testing space and my acceptable ID. I needed to upload seven photos, showing:
- Front of my testing space – Back of my testing space
- Left of my testing space
- Right of my testing space
- Front of my ID
- Back of my ID
- Head-and-shoulders picture of myself
Once I uploaded the photos, the program advised me to move my phone out of arm’s reach and out of sight of the camera. To play it safe, I placed my phone across the room.
Once back on the computer, I followed a prompt to click a button that read, “click here once photos are uploaded and completed.” I clicked there, and the system locked my screen and took me to a different page. It was apparent the exam was getting close to starting.
On the new page, there were some basic questions and disclaimers I had to read and acknowledge. These questions asked me to agree that I would not cheat, I would not read the questions aloud, and I would not move away from the camera. Once I acknowledged those questions, the exam loaded.
During the entire exam, my face was visible in a small pop-up window that I could drag around the screen. I moved the window so it would not be in the way of the questions.
At no point during the exam did I see or hear the live proctor. I assumed I would hear or see them only if I had technical issues, or they had concerns I needed to address.
Once I finished the exam, I answered some broad questions about my thoughts and experience regarding the exam. I was also invited to take a survey.
I did not receive the results of my exam instantly on the screen. I received the results via email about five minutes after I finished the exam.
My overall experience was smooth and simple. However, I am knowledgeable when it comes to computers. If you are considering taking the OnVUE exam, here are a few things I would ask myself:
- Are you tech savvy?
- By “tech savvy,” I mean “if your computer has a firewall and/or adblocker, do you know how to disable them?” or “Can you upload photos from your cell phone to a web site?” If you are confused or do not know how to do this type of task, I would recommend you take the in-person exam.
- Do you have a personal computer with a working camera and microphone?
- I would recommend using a personal computer rather than a company-issued computer. This is because many company computers have firewalls, adblockers and settings that limit your ability to change the access to the computer.
- Can you test your equipment beforehand?
- I think running the system checks before you take the exam is critical to having a pleasant OnVUE exam experience. If you do not test your system in advance, you are likely to run into issues.
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