Prometric Test Center

On the day I took the GRE, the temperature outside was 87 degrees. The temperature inside the testing room, which is cooled only by portable air-​con units, varied betwen 83 °F and 85 °F. For a four-​hour test with just one 10-​minute break, the heat was miserable. I sweated through my T-​shirt and jeans, and had trouble concentrating fully on some sections of the test.
On the positive side, if you take your test on a day that’s not scorching hot outside, you’ll probably have a good experience. The center is well-​run, organized and not difficult to find. The earphones provided do cancel out almost all ambient noise. The lockers provided will fit a small bag, and there are restrooms and a drinking fountain right outside the testing center’s suite.
At two points during my test, the computer stalled after I clicked a question as completed, which was alarming, but after about 10 – 30 seconds, the next question appeared. I did lose up to a minute of test-​taking time, however.
When I asked the staff if they could do anything to cool the room, they said no. No offer to reschedule the test or to pass my feedback on to management. These stand-​alone testing centers are very profitable. Surely they can ensure a more comfortable testing environment!

I took my test here it was very organized. I was given a locker to use during My test period also they have security protocols. And I was given headphones to keep out the sound and the room temperature in the test room was very comfortable that day despite the fact that it was hot outside.

I have never taken a test in more unprofessional circumstances. First of all, I do have to say the staff was great. They accommodated my pumping in the employee break room since their normal bathroom was closed/​being remodeled. HOWEVER, they would not have had to do so if they closed down like any ethical testing center would have since the building was undergoing MASSIVE LOUD renovations. Every 30 seconds there was some sort of BANG! Additionally, the air conditioner was broken due to said renovations and it was like a sweat shop up in there. I had over 4 hours to take my test, but ended up quickly marking answers as fast as I could with no checking so I could get the heck out of there. The test took me about 2 hours. Thankfully I did pass with room to spare, but that is not the point. The point is that my score is not an accurate reflection of my true score due to the terrible conditions in which I (and anyone else there) took the test. I sent an email inquiry about this matter 3 weeks ago and have not heard a peep. Not surprising, as it took me about a month to get a hold of them on the phone prior to the test. I had to threaten a message machine with legal consequences. So, if you actually want to get information from these people, forget about it. Also, they are more concerned about getting their testing fees than being ethical. Clearly.

I scheduled my step 2 here, and while the nine hour marathon of a test was anything but a picnic, the people at this testing center were really nice and considerate. They called me the night before my test to remind me — which is super nice for people who bury themselves into a study hole and somehow forget their actual test date! They also asked if I had any questions and told me to not forget to pack food as there wasn’t much nearby. Day of the test — everyone at the center is professional and nice! When I left the testing room for my breaks (which were timed) they would try to expedite the whole fingerprinting thing, and pausing some people’s check in which weren’t timed, so I could maximize my leg stretching/​water drinking/​other very important things people do during test breaks. The only downside I had at this site was construction happening next door! Not sure when they’re going to be done, and it’s nothing that this site can control, but make use of those noise canceling earphones at the station if you hear a saw go off! Though it was a nice testing center, with a ton of free parking, I won’t lie– I hope I passed my test so I don’t need to come back here any time soon!

In short, they lost my test results and won’t admit to it.
My screen froze after displaying my test results (pass). They couldn’t provide a printout of my results but assured me the results were reported just fine. So I wait… nothing. After calling Prometric, I discovered that they have me recorded as a NO SHOW! I’m waiting on an investigation now.
Other clients at the center experienced the same issue of receiving no printout. My colleague had a similar experience on a separate occasion at this facility. Their system went down (bad switch or router, I believe) and so they held everyone in the room for 4+ hours until they could replace the part.
If there’s any hint of technical complications, by very wary!
UPDATE 10÷16÷14: It’s been over a month and this matter is still not resolved. The support personnel make it sound like they can’t get a reply from this particular center. And every time I follow up with them they waste another 30 minutes of my time.
It’s a good thing I don’t have anything pending on this certification.

I’ve been to this testing center several times over the past few months for the CPA exams. No real negatives to report, here are the things I would’ve liked to know the first time I came to this location. Apologies for the lengthy review but the fewer surprises the better on exam day!
— It’s located in an office park but google maps and the directions on their confirmation email got me there without any trouble. Plenty of free parking right outside.
— There is nothing else going on in the area, so bring a snack if you think you’ll get hungry.
— The staff is friendly and I’ve always been able to start my test as soon as I arrive even if it’s before my scheduled time.
— I couldn’t hear any airplanes/​foghorns/​fire trucks, etc. It’s very quiet in the testing room, with the exception of everyone clicking away on their keyboards. I always bring foam earplugs but other reviewers have said the noise-​cancelling headphones they provide work well too.
— Even if you’ve taken a Prometric exam before, it’s worth repeating that they are strict about clothing, accessories (no watches allowed), etc. Don’t plan on wearing layers and being able to take something off/​put something on. Don’t plan on taking in a hair elastic and deciding later if you want your hair up or down. I think they keep the temperature right around 68 – 70 degrees — I’ve always been comfortable in a long-​sleeved shirt, jeans, and closed-​toe shoes.
— I believe the paper/​pencil issue another reviewer mentioned varies by exam. For the CPA exams they provide two laminated dry-​erase sheets and pens (as promised on the NASBA website).
Good luck!

I recently took my test here at this location. It’s right next to the airport, so I was a bit worried about the noise factor when I actually got into the testing center; however, I think I only heard one airplane fly overhead, with noise reduction headphones on, the entire 4 hours that I was there. There is ample parking, so you don’t have to hunt for a spot. The testing center itself is easy to find, neat, and organized. The staff are very helpful and friendly, which is nice since most of us that show up to these testing center are a bit on the anxious side before taking an important exam. And as stated earlier, noise reduction headphones are provided, as well as scratch paper and pencils. I have no complaints whatsoever, I’m just glad that my exam is finally over with!

Out in the middle of nowhere with nothing around! The coffee shop was closed on my test day and that drove me insane! However, they were nice enough to allow me to arrive any minute before the test appointment time. And so I had about 40 minutes to weave through the 25mph city-​wide speed limit to grab a cup of coffee.
The testing procedures were lovely. Quick and efficient. As for the computers, they were like any other computer you and I use on a daily basis. Headphones can place a bit of strain on your ears so I suggest earplugs.

This testing center is great by most standards; however, when I went in to take the GRE here, they provided light heather blue scratch paper and a hard pencil, which made writing and reading extremely laborious. I complained to ETS and they provided me with a voucher for a future test. I’m hoping they have changed the color paper, but at least now I’m prepared.
BE AWARE that taking any test where you need to make notes might be challenging if you get the blue paper. I hear there is also a possiblity of getting yellow.

Surprisingly quiet for being next to the airport! While I heard a plane flying above while I was outside one time, I didn’t hear the planes at all once I was in the building, just a few of the testers next to me scraping their chairs on the desks or who knows what they were up to;) My station was right next to the door, so I did hear that opening and closing a lot, but it wasn’t too awful. There was some sort of humming in the room (probably the air conditioner, because it hadn’t started up when I first got in and did the sound check.) The provided headphones didn’t cover my ear very well, so I had to cup them close to get a good seal when I had a question that had a sound clip.
Chairs in the testing cubicles were cushy and my butt didn’t get sore after a full day of testing, and I could tell that the monitors and desks had been set at ergonomic levels. Heck, the chairs out in the waiting/​break area were also pretty comfortable, too!
I took an 8 hour test with not a lot of break time built in and the courtyard with the trees and fountains (and a couple of mallards!) was really relaxing and a nice place to take a quick walk and clear my head in-​between blocks. The staff really did their best to get people in and out as quickly as possible, which is really appreciated, since the timer was still going on my exam. I also had visited them earlier to ask some questions about the procedures (because you only get one shot at the USMLE Step1 — no retakes if you get a bad score!) and they were very good about checking on the exact policies for my exam and making me feel comfortable throughout the experience. They were kind when they reminded me of each little procedure for the day (which boxes to check, where to stand to get wanded, etc.) even though I’m sure it must be tiring to tell people the same things over and over and over. And they started me a little early on my exam since I was one of the first people there that morning, which I’m glad of because it’s all the waiting around that makes me anxious!
The office complex seemed pretty dead quiet, which was nice for exam purposes, I guess. There’s a small café/​deli directly across from the Prometric office, which I didn’t try due to not having much break time. The bathroom down the hall for the ladies only has two stalls, so there was a little bit of traffic when we all got out on our breaks at the same time! In the testing center there are 4 larger lockers and a bunch of small lockers. It’s first come first serve, so if you have a morning exam you can grab one of the roomier ones. The small ones are approximately 8“wide x 11“tall x 14“deep (TEENY) (and yes, I measured it because that’s what neurotic premed types do.) The bigger ones were probably the size of 3 of the small ones stacked up.

This is one of those places surrounded by nothing but trees, makes it a difficult to find when you’re looking for a more useful landmark. Can you imagine asking for directions, «I’m looking for the tree with 18 branches, I was supposed to make a turn there, according to the Google Maps Street View.» uhhhhh…
Once you locate the place, it’s a pretty nice place. Plenty of free parking in the lot. There’s a nice water fountain area amidst the business buildings. This testing site is better than the last one I went to (Oakland). People come here to take different exams at the same time, in the same room. There are lockers you can store belongings in. For some reason, I was told to fill out a confidentiality agreement, where I had to copy a section in cursive (not print). Man, I haven’t used cursive in so long, could hardly remember it. Nobody else seemed to have to do this!
It’s quieter here, or maybe because I used earplugs this time. Luckily, I didn’t have the issue of trying to read long passages while fighting off the loud tap-​tap-​tap of my neighbors keyboarding away on their writing section, as I did for my previous exam. This is what I was most concerned about because honestly, how are you expected to focus when you can’t hear yourself thinking?! That’s one part I miss about having written exams where everyone is forced to start at the same time on the same exam. Oh well, in this new tech age, «resistance is futile,» right?
In terms of security, the last test center fingerprinted me and took my photograph once at check-​in, and the second time when I literally went around the corner, as if I could change my identity somehow in that short amount of time. The Alameda location took my photo but no fingerprint. They still wanded me, as expected. At one point, they asked me to turn my pants pockets inside out, to which I responded that my girl pockets don’t allow me to do so. And for some odd reason, they checked my ankles. Also, I just so happened to wear a headband that day and was informed that I was not allowed to remove my headband at all during the test session. If I wanted to remove it, I would have to come outside to do so. Seriously? It’s just a headband!
I thought it was funny that they showed my photo on my computer screen once I entered the test room, asking if it was still me. Good thing I was first to arrive at the test center because I literally let out a laugh at that — sorry folks, but this is so silly. I liked the fact that this place offered a booklet of scratch paper, rather than a dry erase board. You can write so much more on paper and not waste time requesting a new dry erase board when you’ve filled it. There’s a bathroom outside the room, but nothing else to check out during your break.
At the end of the exam, I was asked where to send my scores. I had written down the codes I needed because some schools have multiple codes, and of course I wanted to make sure to get the right one. I was told that I could not retrieve my paper of codes until I exited the computer screen, then had to fill out a paper request to send the codes. Really?! Why can’t I just bring my paper of codes, I already completed the exam! aghhhh Now I can’t be sure that the scores will be sent out because for all I know, they could have misplaced the paper. Sigh.
The test center is great and all, but the policies for these exams are ridiculous. I know it’s not the test center’s fault though, so I’ll still give them 4 stars.

Parking lot is super convenient. If you chose the other location on Central Ave, then you have to feed the meter or risk getting a parking ticket. Plus, its down the street from Raiders HQ! The inside is nice and quiet environment for taking a test. Other places have people tapping keyboards that are distracting.

friendly staff, if you are going to test here just remember to leave things in the car, there are lockers but a backpack is almost to big to put in there. had a great experience

Every couple years or so, i have to re-​certify my ASE certifications. Since the ASE program recently changed over to an all computer based system, as apposed to their previous paper/​pencil with optional computer based…
Anyway, this place is the closest to me, which is crazy because i live in Fremont. No this place’s fault, its ASE’s fault.
So, this place is kind of out of the way. Its in a quiet business complex tucked away. They people are very nice here, and they get the job done just like id expect. Its pretty quiet inside, since its a testing facility. Very strict to the rules. Comfortable though. Not that i have a choice, but ill be back in the future. At least its close to work!

Major upgrade from the location in Central. Don’t panic when you start driving into the Oakland airport to find your way to this test center… just take a deep breath and trust your GPS.
I love that this location has ample parking. Back when I was taking tests on Central, there was NO parking; there were always some empty spaces in front of Prometric, but you weren’t supposed to actually park there (what the hay!?). This one has a HUGE parking lot that’s totally open. The bathrooms are bigger /​better, and the waiting room is a major upgrade. If there’s a wait you don’t have to stand outside in the cold, which is awesome, and the staff here seems to be pretty efficient. It depends who you get, but generally when I take breaks between testlets, the whole biometric /​fingerprint scan and signing in process takes under 2 minutes, which golden when the clock continues running for CPA exams!
Great decision moving this prometric location. Whereas the last one was very centrally located and near a beautiful movie theatre, those perks weren’t very useful to me. Better facilities and parking is. Thank you!

Very friendly people working here that make the stressful process of getting though a standardized test much easier. They have medium and small lockers to store your things. You cannot wear watches during your test. They have a metal detector that they wave over you every time you go into the testing area. You cannot use cell phones or study during your break… didn’t know that coming into the center. And during break you can only leave the prometric center to use the restroom. All you can have in the testing area are your 2 forms of ID, your locker key, and approved ear plugs. Everything else needs to be left in the locker.
Provided in the test area are a computer, keyboard, mouse with scrolling wheel, noise cancelling earphones, and headphones I guess for some tests. They’ll also give you either two dry erase boards and 2 pens if you’re taking the OAT or DAT. I think for other tests they give you a booklet of scratch paper. If you need another one during your test, at least for the boards, you have to hold them up and exchange them. You can’t have more than 2 boards at your desk and no eraser is given.
Parking is pretty easy. Large parking lot off the main entrance with plenty of open spaces. From the parking lot you can either go in the main door and walk down to your left to the center or walk to the left side of the building and there will be a door on the right that will open to the center on your right.
If you’re coming here for a test, good luck! =)