SQL Server Certification - Is there an alternative to Prometric?

  • From searching the forums, it seems my experience with Prometric lives up to that experience by many others, so there really isn't a need to go in to details.

    I just have one question:

    Is there an alternative test provider to Prometric for MS Certification exams?

    Thanks

    ChillyDBA

    Life as a DBA: Living in a box, but thinking outside of it.

    Blog: www.chilledsql.com[/url]

  • No.

    Gail Shaw
    Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
    SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability

    We walk in the dark places no others will enter
    We stand on the bridge and no one may pass
  • Thanks Gail

    I figured as much, but thought I'd ask anyway.

    Should have known better than to schedule a test for Apr 1 I suppose.

    :crazy:

    Life as a DBA: Living in a box, but thinking outside of it.

    Blog: www.chilledsql.com[/url]

  • I have so much fury for Prometric. They're accountable to nobody.

    I recently cancelled a test. They managed to charge me the $32 refund fee immediately. Then it took them 6 weeks to issue the rest of the refund. I called them along the way and they said they had no record of the cancellation. Then they emailed me to say they found it and that I'd just have to wait longer. When I asked how long they said, "You have been informed you have to wait longer, so you'll just have to wait" (to that effect).

    I could go further but I'll just stop there. I hate them so much.

  • How about having the test software crash at the end of your MCM knowledge exam (5 hour exam from hell) and they can't tell you for more than an hour whether or not the exam was saved.

    Gail Shaw
    Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
    SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability

    We walk in the dark places no others will enter
    We stand on the bridge and no one may pass
  • To add something on a more positive note, I once turned up for an exam only to find that they had a problem with their servers and that the exam was not available. Three hours later when they'd resolved the issue I said that I now didn't have time to sit the exam (had only booked half a day off from work). To their credit, I was offered a full refund or the chance to reschedule (I opted for the latter) so I guess it comes down to the staff at individual test centers rather than Prometric as a whole.

    Regards

    Lempster

  • Mine was definitely a Promteric problem.

    Turned up for the exam to be told the test centre was closed for 2 weeks for maintenance.

    The test centre had informed Prometric, but bookings were still being taken. I'm hoping there are not too many other disappointed testees.

    Anyway, it was annoying and a let down, but it happens, so what can I do.

    I was given a ticket number and told to reschedule - I decided to do this while i was still in the test centre.

    So first, the operator informed me the next test was available in Toronto. Only a 1000 mile walk from my current test centre.

    Then I spent 10 minutes trying to persuade the operator that there were in fact 2 other test centres in Winnipeg listed on the Prometric web site. He was adamant that this was not the case.

    Finally got rescheduled for later this week on Friday.

    Not feeling too trusting at this point, so I phoned the new test centre to check the booking.

    Apparently, they don't run tests on Fridays.

    Ho hum.

    Anyway, the admin at the new test centre was very understanding and I will still be sitting my test on Friday.

    Of the 3 exams I have taken so far, this is the second that has been rescheduled (both for software download/maintenance issues), hence my initial question.

    A captive audience doesn't really provide any incentive for quality service.

    btw Congrats on the MCM Gail - that's a lot of hard work and dedication.

    Life as a DBA: Living in a box, but thinking outside of it.

    Blog: www.chilledsql.com[/url]

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