Prometric

Compared to other testing centers that I have heard my friends complain about, Prometrics is easily a very accommodating testing center. You can secure your belongings in a locker. You are only allowed your ID, earplugs, and a couple tissues. If you wear a sweater, which I recommend since the room can be chilly, you must keep it on. Otherwise, you must take a break to store it which involves signing out of your testing cubicle.
For the GRE, you are administered a scratch booklet which contains about four sheets and two sharpened pencils. I didn’t have to use more than one booklet although you can ask for more.

One star from me as well. My experience today was subpar.
After having confirmed with 3 different employees (and taking a trip there just to make sure I knew where the place was located and ask relevant questions), one of proctors taking pictures told me that I couldn’t have a handful of tissues at the desk and that we are only allotted 2 tissues at a time. If we want more tissues we are to get up and request them from the proctor while the time is running on our tests. I said that 3 people had told me before you can basically have unlimited tissues at your desk. I realize this sounds like a small issue but allow me to contextualize: I have severe, severe, anaphalactic allergies to grass pollen that almost killed me less than a month ago and definitely need tissues (as well as many other drugs and forms of medical treatment) right now when ragweed counts are high. I expressed this mildly to the proctor who countered that she had a really bad cold right now and it «doesn’t really sound like you’re coughing». She then proceeded to cough dramatically all over her shirt to illustrate to me she was sicker than I am and she currently needs tissues more than me. Or something. Which was sad and also gross because she definitely seemed contagious (wet cough). She then allowed me to take 4 tissues which was «twice what they allow» but to do it quickly because «we’re being watched by cameras» and then looked around, paranoid. Cool, I got twice the tissue allotment after being told I could have a huge pile, which I did, in fact, need. I then asked if it was appropriate to stand and stretch during my one minute break, something three other employees had also confirmed prior. She said, «Well you can’t disturb the other testers». I asked her directly, again, «Ok, got it, so is that a yes or a no, can I stand and stretch on my one minute breaks or is that not permitted?» Again, she was unclear and said, «Well we have doctors taking 8 hours board exams here.» Great, so can I stand and stretch or are you going to throw out my scores if I do??? I just let it go.
The cubicle they then put me in had a broken-​ass desk. Totally wobbly. Nothing I could do. The test had started by the time I realized that doing anything other than a mouse click (ie. using the keyboard at all) would cause the desk to shake and shift so dramatically that it made accurate typing extremely difficult. I am a very fast typist and this slowed me down considerably. I wrote a 5 paragraph essay instead of my typical 6 and suffice it to say I was not a happy camper. When the first section timed out I requested that the proctor help me fix the desk. He moved me to another cubicle, adjacent to the door, after I’d previously requested of this same proctor to place me as far away from the door as possible. Ok, fine, I get it, you can’t accommodate everyone’s preferences, but there appeared to be other seats available far away from the door. It seemed I was being punished for asking to fix the desk. So they restart the test which took six or so agonizing minutes with the proctor repeatedly abandoning me before seeing the change through, after multiple pop-​ups and error messages had come up and he had left the cubicle before ensuring the change was processed, only for me to flag him down again. Finally, we fixed it and the test proceeded.
Throughout the rest of the test, the proctors changed positions and the dude at the proctor table seemed to talk a little loudly and incessantly in a deep, bassy voice. Our testing room was far from soundproof room and it was absolutely distracting. At one point I needed to flag them down for extra scratch paper and it took over a minute to do so because they were talking to each other and fiddling with their phones or ipods or something. This becomes more ridiculous and somewhat egregious when you realize I was less than four feet away from the proctors’ window, waving my hands and staring at them. Like, that’s how into their conversations/​ipods they were. Then I asked a question about what was being asked of me on the post-​test survey and the response I got was terse and impatient; he left before I could even finish asking my question.
I wish I could have tested at the UT location because I’ve heard only good things, but that’s probably why they’re always booked. Super disappointed in this location after reading these mostly Unilocal positive reviews prior to going, but the center’s unwillingness to accommodate a pregnant woman probably should have been my first clue that the staff was not necessarily going to be professional or polite.

Quick, easy, clean, friendly, and professional! No one likes taking tests, but this is definitely the place to do it at!

Incredibly quiet testing facility with lots of rules and structures in place to prevent cheating and interruptions. While they have massive noise cancelling ear phones to help you stay focused they were too large for my head and hurt my ears, so I was glad I had earplugs in my purse. Bring earplugs to avoid the awkward head phones. Good luck on your test!

Being a medical student, I have had many experiences testing at different Prometric centers (sadly). I would have to say that this location has been my favorite so far! I got here early the day of the test and they open around 7:20 AM. They will let you check in as soon as you come in the door and get started on your exam early if you want. The staff here is wonderful — they are so nice and helped calm my nerves in the wake of a very anxiety-​inducing environment. The center is clean and a perfect temperature (71 – 74 degrees is what the gentleman told me). The testing room is quiet and the lighting is better than other test centers. I would definitely recommend testing at this center if you are in the Austin area!

If you are testing here you likely don’t have the option to go elsewhere so hopefully this review preps you for what to expect.
First of all, they didn’t honor my approved pregnancy accommodation. They gave me 4 hours total for testing, tutorial, and survey when it should have been 4.5. Each person was ruder than the next and wasted my time while it was running trying to defend their actions!
The guy at the front desk denied me easy access to water. While this may be their policy it certainly was unexpected on my end so keep that in mind. He also let me know that pregnant women can go for 9 hours with no food, water, or bathroom breaks. I’m amazed at his vast knowledge of what it’s like to be pregnant considering he’s male and not a doctor. He also wanted to see my testing accommodation form after he confirmed he had the info.
You have to store your stuff in lockers. The last venue I tested at didn’t have this requirement. The only lockers available were on the floor. Each time I needed water I had get up and down from the floor pregnant.
To take a break you have to sign in and out. It’s like a 5 step walk to the bathroom, but they still make you do it. You have to show your ID each time and they spend time verifying your signature matches your ID each time. It’s super dramatic. Also, wear shorts! I wore a maxi dress and I had to hike my dress up in front of a camera each time to prove I hadn’t stashed anything around my body or written answers in the 1 minute I was in their sight.
When I went to leave some random woman that works there got super sassy with me about the testing accommodation. This was already after I said I would address the time and water miscommunications with the certification board. At that point there was no need for sassafras to intervene. She wouldn’t stop talking so I finally asked if I could leave.
In short, super rude bunch of folks there with very limited knowledge about the logistics of your test.
*SHRM did confirm that Prometrics did not honor my testing accommodation. They offered me a free test if needed. Just a note in case this happens to anyone else.

I have never tested well. I just get the creeps and have anxiety attacks before any type of testing environment. In my industry, there are federal requirements for continuing education. No matter how long you have been in the biz… So as usual I left it to the last minute, had a three month window. I hastily went online and booked my appointment for a Monday… What in god’s name was I thinking… After a somewhat tame weekend, I awoke in a cold sweat, since today I had to go through the 3.5hr CE credits.
I arrived at Prometric an hour early… I was worried that something horrible was going to happen on my way there, so I wanted to make sure I had ample «emergency» time on my hands. I checked in and they immediately let me know I could start early if I wanted. This was a stroke of genius… rather than sitting in the lobby area stewing, I was whisked into the security check and then to my computer to start the testing process.
The facility is clean and well appointed. The test area, chair, monitor, cubicle was all fine and I did appreciate the headphones. I always have that great fear of getting the results, since you get the results immediately, so I generally will sit and allow the time to run out and it then terminates the test and gives you the ol Pass/​Fail. I was so comfortable for once I initiated the results. So… HA PROMETRIC, I won’t see you til 2017! Winning.

I mean how am I supposed to star a place that makes you pay too much to take really long tests?
It was a fantastic environment. I had my first actuary exam scheduled for 11:30 this past friday. I was pretty nervous and did not want to get lost so i decided to get there early. Too early, I arrived at 10:30. It wasn’t too pleasing from the outside. Kind of tucked in the back of a strip mall. A one story, long building that clearly stated Prometric above the entrance. I was Certain I had found the place. I started gathering my emotions and concerns and walked right in with confidence on my mind. I went up to the counter and told the employee my story. She was so sweet, I instantly felt better about my test. She said I could put my motorcycle helmet in their coat closet and then i was told i could take the test right away, no waiting necessary. At first i didn’t know how i felt about this. I was ready to just sit for an hour. Then be herded into a room with a bunch of other anxious test takers.
So I gathered myself once again. I went through the rest of their procedures, signing in going over the rules and such. It was as pleasant as it could have been. They made me comfortable and relaxed. I didn’t feel like i was bothering them. In fact i felt they were happy I was there testing with them. Then they led me to my little cube to take my test. Three hours later I finished and was lead out of the testing center feeling quite pleased with the whole experience.
I planned on giving this center four stars but have changed my mind. It is a five star testing center. Even thought its not your typical establishment and you would hardly just chose on a whim to come here to spend a summer afternoon. It is quality. I will be sure to enjoy my next few visits there on my journey to becoming an actuary.