ARTICLE : My Experience with the Pearson VUE Online Exam

[Shashank_Jain]

Hello Community!

My name is Shashank Jain, and I recently passed my ServiceNow Certified Application Developer (CAD) exam. This time, I chose to take the exam online from home instead of visiting a Pearson VUE test center.

Why am I writing this post?

The main purpose of this article is to share my experience with the online exam mode and help anyone who is unsure about choosing it.

There is a small story behind writing this post.

While scheduling my exam, I initially planned to take it at a test center because I had taken all of my previous certification exams offline. However, this time I thought, "Why not give the online mode a try?"

Before making my decision, I went through several community posts. I noticed that most members recommended taking the exam at a test center rather than online. Reading those posts made me nervous, and I started having several doubts:

• What if my exam doesn't start?
• What if the exam gets interrupted in the middle?
• What if my laptop or internet connection fails?
• What if I lose my exam fee?
• What if I have to raise a support case and go through a long resolution process?

Despite all these concerns, I decided to ignore the doubts and experience the online exam for myself.

I'm glad I did.

In this post, I'll share my complete experience with the Pearson VUE online exam for ServiceNow certifications so that others can make an informed decision.

What this post will cover

I'll divide my experience into two parts:

Part 1: Before the Exam

• What happens after you choose the online exam option?
• What system checks are performed?

Part 2: On the Exam Day

• The check-in process
• Identity verification
• Room and workspace inspection
• What to expect before and during the exam

What happens after you choose the online exam option?

Once you select the online exam option while scheduling your ServiceNow certification, Pearson VUE asks you to complete a system check to verify that your device meets the exam requirements.

The process is straightforward. A small application called OnVUE is downloaded to your computer. After launching it, you'll be asked to enter a code displayed on your web browser. The application then performs several automated checks to ensure your system is ready for the exam.

What system checks are performed?

The OnVUE application checks the following:

• Your computer is running Windows 10, Windows 11, macOS 13, or later. Virtual machines and beta operating systems are not supported.
• Your webcam, microphone, and speakers are working properly.
• Only one monitor is connected. Any secondary monitors must be disconnected before the exam.
• Your internet connection is stable with a minimum speed of 6 Mbps upload and download.
• No VPN is active, and you are not connected to a corporate or restricted network.
• All unnecessary applications are closed so that only the OnVUE application is running.

The entire system check usually takes 10–15 minutes. Simply follow the on-screen instructions, and the application will guide you through each step. Although it may seem a little overwhelming at first, the process is very user-friendly.

My Advice

I highly recommend using your personal laptop or desktop for the exam instead of a company-managed device.

Make sure you have full administrative access to your computer so that OnVUE can perform all required checks without restrictions.

In simple terms, Pearson VUE mainly verifies:

• Your operating system
• Webcam
• Microphone
• Speakers
• Internet connection
• Running background applications

Once you successfully pass the system check, your device is ready for the online exam. You can now schedule the exam.

Part 2: On the Exam Day

OnVUE recommend logging in 30 minutes before your scheduled exam time. This gives you enough time to complete the check-in and identity verification process without feeling rushed.

After scheduling your exam, Pearson VUE sends you a confirmation email containing a "Check in to start exam" link. This link becomes active 30 minutes before your scheduled exam time.

Before starting the check-in process

Before clicking Check In, make sure your testing environment is ready:

1. Stay alone in a quiet room where you will not be disturbed during the exam.
2. Ensure that nobody can enter the room while you are taking the exam.
3. Cover any windows, glass doors, or partitions if someone could see your screen from outside.
4. Remove all books, papers, notebooks, sticky notes, writing materials, and electronic devices from your desk.
5. Keep only the items that Pearson VUE explicitly allows.
6. Place your mobile phone nearby, as it is required only for the verification process.

Check-in process

Once you begin the check-in process, OnVUE performs a quick system check again to verify that nothing has changed since your initial compatibility test.

After that, you'll be asked to enter your mobile number. Pearson VUE will send you a text message containing a secure verification link.

Using your mobile phone, you'll be required to upload:

• A clear selfie
• The front and back of your government-issued photo ID
• Photos of your testing workspace from:
  • Front
  • Back
  • Left side
  • Right side

These photos allow the proctor to verify that your workspace complies with the exam rules. 

Click on Refresh button of your web screen. You'll then be asked to:

• Switch off your mobile phone (or place it out of reach)
• Wait while the proctor reviews your verification documents

This review usually takes 5–10 minutes.

Once your verification is approved, the exam screen will open automatically, and you can begin your certification exam.

During the Exam

While taking the exam, keep the following points in mind:

• Stay visible in the webcam at all times.
• Do not leave your seat unless instructed by the proctor.
• Avoid talking, reading questions aloud, or making unnecessary movements.
• Do not use your phone or any other electronic device.
• Keep your face centered in the camera throughout the exam.

The proctor continuously monitors your exam session. As long as you follow the instructions and maintain a clean testing environment, you shouldn't face any issues.

Final Thoughts

Overall, my experience with the Pearson VUE online exam was smooth and hassle-free. Before taking the exam, I had many concerns after reading community posts about technical issues and exam interruptions. However, my experience was completely positive.

If your internet connection is stable, your computer passes the system check, and you carefully follow the instructions provided by Pearson VUE, taking the ServiceNow certification exam online is a convenient and reliable option.

Final Note

If you have any questions or doubts about the Pearson VUE online exam process, feel free to ask in the comments. I'll be happy to help based on my experience.

If you've already taken a ServiceNow certification exam online, I'd also encourage you to share your experience. Your tips and feedback may help other community members prepare better and feel more confident before their exam.

Note: This post is based entirely on my personal experience and what I remember from scheduling and taking the exam. It is not an official guide from ServiceNow or Pearson VUE. The online exam process, policies, and requirements may change over time.

Please make sure to carefully read and follow all the instructions provided by OnVUE  during your exam scheduling and check-in process.

The purpose of this post is simply to give you a general overview of what you can expect when taking a ServiceNow certification exam online.

Thank you, and best of luck with your certification journey! 😊