Curious about other testing sites

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Just out of plain curiosity, how strict was your testing site for NCLEX? I just wanted to know if they are all the same.

Yesterday I took my exam in Des Moines, IA. I was told by our instructors to only take your ATT letter & your ID and leave everything else locked in your car, so that's what I did. When I got there, I was fingerprinted on each hand, palm scanned 3 times on each hand, had to pull out my pockets, lift my sleeves as far as they go, turned around and they inspected my back pockets, frisked my pant legs, had me pull up my hair so they could look under it and in my ears and last they looked in my mouth. I was wondering if they were going to do a body cavity search at that point! Ha! In my opinion, it was a bit over excessive. I felt like I was going to prison or something. Does every testing site do all that? On top of all that searching, they have microphones and cameras in each cubical... you'd think that would be enough. Wow.

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Oh, I forgot to say we also had our pictures taken as well as doing an electronic signature that was compared closely to the picture and signature to my license.

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Same thing where I tested, in Fort Wayne Indiana. I had a hair tie on my wrist and they said I either needed to put my hair up or put it in a locker, lol. I felt like I was in a high security clearence area, lol.

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Can't wait to find out if I passed!!! 12 more hours!!!

Still good popup tho :)

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

I had short hair when I tested, so the looking behind ears was not done, nor was looking in mouth. I tested in the summer but I did have to turn my pockets inside & out. I was not permitted to wear my cheap watch into the testing center.

You would be surprised about what people do to cheat, down to (prior to the palm scans & fingerprinting) creating fake ID's to get others to take the test for them when they didn't pass.

I had a classmate that sent in a Glamour Shot for her photo, and was delayed from testing because her BoN photo did not match her present look nor her driver's license.

My signature was compared, my ID was compared, my ID was also compared to the photo on file with the BoN.

Microphones, cameras, and keystroke trackers (they track each key you tap on the keyboard) are standard now in testing sites, though Pearson Vue is the most common vendor. Partially because of the high tech cheating that is attempted.

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Specializes in ED, trauma.

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Can't wait to find out if I passed!!! 12 more hours!!!

Still good popup tho :)

Julz I am sure you got this!! Your hard work and study ethic will pay off.

I had no idea how strict the testing sites ate. Makes me think twice about what I bring with me. What about jackets? I get cold easily, do you think that jackets are a problem when testing??

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Specializes in ED, trauma.
I had short hair when I tested, so the looking behind ears was not done, nor was looking in mouth. I tested in the summer but I did have to turn my pockets inside & out. I was not permitted to wear my cheap watch into the testing center.

You would be surprised about what people do to cheat, down to (prior to the palm scans & fingerprinting) creating fake ID's to get others to take the test for them when they didn't pass.

I had a classmate that sent in a Glamour Shot for her photo, and was delayed from testing because her BoN photo did not match her present look nor her driver's license.

My signature was compared, my ID was compared, my ID was also compared to the photo on file with the BoN.

Microphones, cameras, and keystroke trackers (they track each key you tap on the keyboard) are standard now in testing sites, though Pearson Vue is the most common vendor. Partially because of the high tech cheating that is attempted.

Haha my old license picture was GORGEOUS. It was like a glamour shot. Lol. Now I don't look anything like my drivers license because my hair has grown and I have gained some weight. Do you think I should change my photo before testing??? I don't want any delays!

Sorry for the thread hijack. I just didn't realize how strict the testing sites were. I thought it was just fingerprint scan, palm scan and test. Yikes!

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Yeah, they're pretty strict. More than likely there were those before us who have tried to "cheat" and so PearsonVue implemented these strict measures.

I, too, had to empty my pockets, removed my hair clip (they gave me a rubber band to tie my hair), removed my watch, scanned my palm during check in and again prior to entering the testing area. At that time, I had the sniffles and they gave me their tissue. All I can take into the testing area were my driver's license and reading glasses.

And just to make sure I won't be tempted, I left my cellphone in my car and took my break right there in the waiting area.

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Haha my old license picture was GORGEOUS. It was like a glamour shot. Lol. Now I don't look anything like my drivers license because my hair has grown and I have gained some weight. Do you think I should change my photo before testing??? I don't want any delays!

Sorry for the thread hijack. I just didn't realize how strict the testing sites were. I thought it was just fingerprint scan, palm scan and test. Yikes!

They provided a small locker, only big enough for a purse. I just left my purse, coat and cell locked in my car. I'm not sure if they would allow jackets to be worn or not. It was pretty warm in the testing area tho. If they do allow it, they'd probably have to thoroughly inspect it. Nobody wore their coats in there tho where I was so maybe they don't.

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Julz I am sure you got this!! Your hard work and study ethic will pay off.

I had no idea how strict the testing sites ate. Makes me think twice about what I bring with me. What about jackets? I get cold easily, do you think that jackets are a problem when testing??

Thanks CP! I'm pretty confident I did pass, I am just anxious to actually SEE that I did! Ha!

Although the exam WAS hard, I felt pretty good about most of my answers. :)

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Specializes in ED, trauma.

Oh boy. I am used to fighting during a test. I play with my hair. I flick my flip flop. Something. I have to get the nervous energy out!

I usually bring a jacket in case I get cold - because if its cold I can't think.

I would only bring my license and jacket in with me.

Do they give you a piece of paper and a pencil? I like to be able to write things out to see if they make sense or write out mnemonics that I use.

As if I am not nervous enough about NCLEX I should apparently prepare for a search too. Fantastic! Like a colonoscopy for Christmas!

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Yeah, they're pretty strict. More than likely there were those before us who have tried to "cheat" and so PearsonVue implemented these strict measures.

I, too, had to empty my pockets, removed my hair clip (they gave me a rubber band to tie my hair), removed my watch, scanned my palm during check in and again prior to entering the testing area. At that time, I had the sniffles and they gave me their tissue. All I can take into the testing area were my driver's license and reading glasses.

And just to make sure I won't be tempted, I left my cellphone in my car and took my break right there in the waiting area.

Speaking of cheating, I can't believe how many people do resort to that. There were a few students who got kicked out of the program for cheating. There was one girl who had a learning disability and she was permitted to go in a separate room for all of our tests. Sometimes she had to have someone read the questions to her. I know that she also had been put on probation for getting caught with her iPad in the test room. There were also rumors she paid people online to write her research APA style papers cuz she didn't know how to write them. I really don't know how she's gonna pass NCLEX.

Anyway, just venting. I don't like cheaters. They're only hurting themselves. But really, in the long run, they could potentially hurt future patients if they cheated their way thru nursing school. Scary :/

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