I’m really pissed off right now! I have been studying hard and long to take my CCNA test and I go and make an appointment to take the test tommorrow, just then I find out that I need two forms of identification and one has to be gov. issued photo id (driver’s license, ok good), both have to have my signature, the second form can be credit cards and check cashing cards, AND social security cards are :nono_tb: NOT accepted! Great!
Start the list of problems
About 6 months ago, I changed my last name from Schanno to Montague (I don’t want to have anything to do with my family …). I got my new social security card and drivers license but I didn’t get a new debt card, ATM card, and I wasn’t in school anymore so I don’t have a new school id. SO, I’m stuck! I can’t take my test until I get a new debt card issued to me and that will take about 10 days … SHIT … I wanted to take this test NOW 
! Damn me for not taking care of this sooner! But think about this, why the freak will they NOT accept SOCIAL SECURITY cards? They are as good as GOLD when it comes to identification! There answer … the form of identification must be laminated or plastic … well that’s just great! 
What am I going to do … just 
w a i t ! I just give up … 
… later everyone.
26 Comments
I have had my own problems with them:
In summary, during the course of nearly a month and a half I have attempted to take Microsoft Certification Exams. I estimate that in my three attempts to take an exam and in the hours spent on the phone with Thomson-Prometric bureaucracy I have wasted over 8 hours of time. It is evident to me that this is an organization that does not care about the treatment of its customers. Below is the excruciating detail of my experience.
Thompson Prometric Sucks
Thomson Prometric is a huge testing bureauracy. If you have a problem, they can’t solve it nor do they care to. They are rude, arrogant and condescending
I also had a horrible experience with this inept company.
I arrived with my printed materials, id, etc to take my life&health insurance test test and was told that there was a computer system problem and my name wasn’t coming up, therefore they wouldn’t give me the test. Additionally, I’d have to re-schedule the test for 2 weeks from then to take it again. The fact that it was clearly their fault didn’t compel them to offer me a sooner than 2 week testing slot.
I was finally able to arrange to take the test 3 days after the date I had scheduled, got there, and was told again that they didn’t have my name on file and wouldn’t give me the test.
Although I am short on both , I’m spending considerable money and time to take my GREs in another state, so that I can take them in a non-Thompson Prometric location. With the insurance test I only needed to pass, but since every point counts on the GREs I can’t afford to deal with the beurocratic distractions which come from this level of systematic ineptitude.
I tried to buy a voucher for the CompTIA Network+ exam on Prometric’s website. Entered all my credit card info, hit submit and >POOFHOW do you make a webform that’s so picky? I wouldn’t even know how to do that except on purpose. And if they know the site doesn’t support those browsers, why no message on the site stating that?
I figure he’s probably just lying.
Thompson Prometric is, hands down, the worst most arrogant shiftless excuses for human beings I’ve ever been witness to. On September 10th, 2007, me and fellow Electrologists, who had been waiting the required 6 months to even take the Electrolysis State Exam, took it as a Thomson Prometric site in Orlando at the University of Phoenix. Thomson Prometric, in an effort to save money, didn’t rent the space they were supposed to, violating their own contract. Students taking this exam were supposed to be one to a table. But TP chose to cut corners and place 2 students at each table. Thomson Prometric bleats about the results will be in between a 4-6 time frame. It’s been OVER 6 weeks and we STILL don’t have our results back from these idiots. The vast majority of Electrologists taking this State Exam want to go on to do Laser Hair Removal (Being an Electrologist is required to do Laser Hair Removal) So we went through 320 hours of Training, my school cost me $4900 (As a single mother I didn’t get a grant or a loan and paid cash). Then the 6 month required wait to take the test, then the 4-6 week time frame to grade the test (This test could’ve been graded by a retarded gorilla in 30 minutes) and we’ve been waiting and waiting. If I check my email to see if my results are in yet, and if I get one more “enlarge your penis” advertisement, I’m going to scream!!!
Unfortunately, we cannot take our Laser Training course UNTIL we have our State Exam results in. I am writing to every single one of Thomson Prometric “customers” and telling them if they want credibility, they need to use another company with a decent reputation, or theirs will suffer.
Prometric lost Microsoft Certification Test
Prometric lost my wife’s Microsoft Certification test after she finished it! All her effort is gone so be aware.
Have booked 4 tests for employees, found it very difficult and time consuming on the phone. I then spent 1/2 hour on line and phone trying to track down contact number to get receipts, & query double charge for study materials. They have got your money and dont care beyond that. You get the impression they dont want to be contacted directly. I now try to steer clear of any website that doesnt have clear contact details and a terrestial address, which, incedentaly, I think is illegal in the uk! Their direct contact number in UK is 0870 241 0204.
Form the blogs you are all American. Thomson also have contracts in England are they just as inept, useless, rude and ignorant over here. How do they survive in business. It has taken me 90 mins to book 2 safety tests for the UK construction industry.
I was ready to send an email to contact help just to say “YOU SUCK” and then I wanted to know if anyone else had anything to say and I googled PROMETRIC SUCKS and then voila, there you go!
YES, Prometric sucks! Its all about the benjamins.
I accidently signed up for the wrong class, they could care less.
Once they got the money, no help. Just wanted to pass along that with Prometric, the customer is LAST. Most places would welcome previous customers, and want their business again.
NOT PROMETRIC!
I find it hard to believe that no one from Thomson have tried to defend themselves here. I worked for them until a year or so ago and they have a hard time pleasing both the customer and the client.
Now on the ID front… let me ask you how you would like to see us let someone in to do another persons test. I have been on the front line and believe me this is happens everyday. You have slogged away to gain the knowledge required for your test and somebody else pays a few dollars/quid to get somebody else without morals to do their test. So yes we scrutinize id. Moreover somebody that hasn’t done their homework gets that job your after because they got someone to do their test. Now from my perspective I would rather have proper ID from the start…if you haven’t got it then get some….. It is a harsh reality that there are too many people out there that want to buck the system…and a further harsh reality that you need ID to do so much these days. Also on your booking confirmation letter it will clearly state the type of id you require. Different tests require have differing ID requirements.
As for the computer side..yes there are issues…..I have arrived from a perfectly good session to find my systems inexplicably down…no rhyme or reason….thats technology and it sucks. Yes there are people working for Prometric that could do with lessons in humility…..so take the time and get a name….then write to the corporate head-quarters and complain. Do it nicely and eloquently…..as you would like if it where directed to you about your employees and they can start to rectify the situation…..slagging them off on here may vent your anger for two minutes but who gives a toss…..let them know and they can address the situation…..don’t tell them and then it’s you that has wasted your time.
I worked for them for a few years and to be fair it wasn’t all a bed of roses….however when they realized there where issues they made to sort them out…..maybe not always in my favor but then thats business.
If you purchased a product from a High Street retailer and you where not satisfied you would return it with complaint. So in this case question the service and complain if required. Slagging off id requirements when it is clearly what you would want when the argument for is put differently is clearly not the way to go.
In the case of the missing results I think that providing you have proof of the taken test they should move heaven and earth to rectify this. Her name will have been on registration and time sheet plus don’t forget they have cameras at every workstation.
The comment on a retarded gorilla….nice….(would that be a retarded gorilla with at least 320 hours of training in your field???) Thomson have hundreds of different exams sat….they are a testing solution (not necessarily or always a marking solution), and if the results aren’t correlated by the computer then they have to be assessed by the someone probably with more sense of your answers in your given field…..
The comment on 90 minutes to book two tests in the UK… I worked on the CITB contract for Prometric and now freelance in the building industry and book these tests on a weekly basis and it takes me roughly two to three minutes per candidate to book them into the system from the skills website. I can only think either theirs or your system was on a go slow that day….it is not the norm.
The receipt for test in the Uk is clearly printed on the confirmation letter.
I would think the ‘terrestrial address’ is done in this manner as so as not to put to much strain on the client and to try and direct as much as possible through the help desk….which incidentally is what it is there for. However you only have to google the companies head office and it will come up.
To sum up Thomson have hundreds and hundreds of employees and hundreds of clients all over the world….it must be a logistical nightmare. As a disabled employee they looked after me way beyond that they where required by law. I did not always agree with my managers, their managers and the directors but then I could only see things from my perspective and not from a company wide view. Overall, as with any large organization, things do go wrong but I reiterate complain in writing, nicely, and things can be done….. comments like these may vent your anger for microseconds but doesn’t cure the issues.
DBM
Prometric sucks, horrible, rude, pathetic. There must be a better organization. If anyone knows, please post it! I hate giving them my money.
They are the most pathetic people in the world, they know you have to deal with them to get certified. Because of that, they think they can crap on you.
When I have to do my continuing education or get certified, I just cringe thinking about dealing with them.
Duncan, since it’s been sooo long since this happened to me, i had to reread what i posted. The original argument i had against Prometric is that fact that they don’t consider a US Social Security card a valid ID. Back then, Prometric wanted one government issued photo ID and a secondary ID with your name and signature. Great, that shouldn’t be any issue.
You have a US Driver’s license that has my new name, photo, and signature. The second form of ID should have that same name and signature. Why would you not accept a Social Security card when you would except a Credit Card? they both are exactly the same except the numbers on them are used for different purposes. In fact, a Social Security card is MORE important than a Credit Card, as you can cancel / report a stolen CC number but if your Social Security number is stolen, you just have to deal with it!
Since then, I’ve take a few MS Cert exams at a different testing location (i’ve since moved to Annapolis, MD) in 2007 and 2008. Since i had both a driver’s license and credit card with the same name, i had no problems at all sitting down to the test. The only issues i’ve had since were only because of the testing software.
Yes, i do see why requiring forms of ID are important but i don’t see why the second ID couldn’t be anything with your name and signature as the government issues photo ID would have to match.
Hi LordMontie,
I do understand as over here we have the same rules…however, Thomson do not make the identification rules…the client does…Thomson just do as they are told. The invigilator does have some leeway although some test sites are more prone to cheating than others. If you are unlucky enough to go to one of these sites then the checks may be more rigorous. Personally I think the whole system should become more rigorous. They did try to implement biometrics and I think this should be a standard. The first time you test you should still do the various forms of ID but at the same time have your fingerprint or iris image taken electronically. There have been cases where I have refused low grade id simply because I recognized the applicant as a previous tester and they denied ever taking a test. The problem with many ids these days is that it is not impossible to replicate it. I used to produce ids and holographic representations for a company in London….with todays pc and mac based systems it isn’t all that difficult to reproduce some of the more basic forms of id.
By taking the biometric information you can alleviate a single person taking tests for others. I do understand that the costs of such a system would be great and then the security of such data has its own issues but all parties need to agree and come to a suitable solution. Getting back to the hair removal…although I am not as hairy as a gorilla…I have to say I would much rather have someone who trained and certified properly remove my hair than someone who pottered along to half their classes and then got some other bugger to sit their exam. And I am sure I speak for everyone who has worked there nuts of to get through a test legitimately that they don’t want others to get through and demean the test by paying for someone to sit it for them.
Also, I do reiterate to anyone that has a problem with customer service that they should complain to either the owner of the exam process direct or Thomson head office either in Baltimore or here in Manchester. There is no excuse for bad behavior but the integrity of the test is paramount.
Regards
Duncan
Prometric is a pile of nonsense. Everyday they have a new issue with the testing system due to 1. Updates that are not mandatory and not automated. 2. They accept companies such as CompTia etc etc and do not test their tests throughout the versions of their “current” software in testing center. Reason i leave “” around current, is because 90% of testing centers have different updates and patches etc installed for prometric… ! <- that was only a small essay about their updates - theres piles and piles of other noob stuff that they miss. How can such a big testing program be written without any thought and planning put into it? it feels as if one or 3 interns for VB wrote this system and keep it faulty on purpose so that the customer service (which must have thousands of reps) get job security. IT IS THE WORST TEST SYS EVER.. the javascripts for surveys on facebook work better… I dont know why big companies trust prometric with their certification tests.. Anyone having any business with these idiots gets minus points
and all the Thompson Prometric attempts to blame the CLIENT !?! again:: CLIENT !?!0-o just because they do as they told to.. is bs . Vue used to host majority of testing before Prometric and these guys barely have issues and if they do it is always the error on the test center side. No matter how hard Prometric tries to blame TCA or their CLIENT?!? for the test not starting or the test ID not coming up on server machine even when everything is ran updated and refreshed … they know it is their issue but yet they will deny it untill they have no argument to make after which a pause comes and the issue gets escalated to their next of who knows how many levels of tech support (one of the cust reps told me on the phone as “secret” that he too was fed up with the way system is ran because he gets to talk with TCSA’s that are just plain tired of this shit)
At Duncan Jul 22 “”As for the computer side..yes there are issues…..I have arrived from a perfectly good session to find my systems inexplicably down…no rhyme or reason….thats technology and it sucks”"
You read the quote above? this is written by someone working for prometric.. enuff said.
oh by the way i wrote all of the above and i am still on HOLD FUCCCCCCCCCC
” “By taking the biometric information you can alleviate a single person taking tests for others. I do understand that the costs of such a system would be great and then the security of such data has its own issues but all parties need to agree and come to a suitable solution.” ”
Prometric is the only party that should be paying for any security measure they would like to implements since testing site only gets ~10 bucks out of 100-200 Prometric charges for each test. And test takers should know this little nasty secret
we are the worst incompetent testing system in the world.
“To sum up Thomson have hundreds and hundreds of employees and hundreds of clients all over the world….it must be a logistical nightmare. As a disabled employee they looked after me way beyond that they where required by law. I did not always agree with my managers, their managers and the directors but then I could only see things from my perspective and not from a company wide view. Overall, as with any large organization, things do go wrong but I reiterate complain in writing, nicely, and things can be done….. comments like these may vent your anger for microseconds but doesn’t cure the issues.
DBM”
i hope your disability is retardation
I find it hard to believe that no one from Thomson have tried to defend themselves here.
ok.. you are an idiot for saying that. People who work for prometric should start looking for another job. Anyone working for them has to be more emarassed than parking enforcement or sanitation inspectors..
well, prometric doesn’t control some of the things you guys complain about!! as far as money and them not caring, that’s not true. well maybe the money part. Prometric collects no money unless it’s a GRE test and even then they dont keep it. it goes to the GRE company. also, it is your responsibility to go online or call or something to find out the proper identification or information or papers you are supposed to take in!! They are not your parents, take some responsibility and look for your selves if you go on they website or on your test website it will tell you exactly what you need. and another thing, there are mutiple times where there may be computer issues, where is there not computer issues?? Just be patient.. they are willing to work with you and for you if you just cooroperate. I had a good expierence at the puyallup WA prometric site and i thought they were quite friendly. if you have issues look into why they happend, you’ll find it starts with you..
Well I have to say I’ve also had a bad experience too. I took a state test here in Fl with them. I got my results and said I didnt pass ok it happens.. Then not 2 months later i get my cert in the mail saying I did. Wow cool maybe a testing error ok. So i call the state and they no that was entered wrong by yes Prometric testing. Wow my social and all my info was entered by hand with tha score. So did I really pass or what of course no straight answers from them. So how many other people has this happen too? how many are out there with a cert that they did not pass and got it on a fluke. Do we trust them I say no. something needs to be done. Will it happen probley not. Someone explain….
@rebekah “if you have issues look into why they happend, you’ll find it starts with you..”
well if prometric did not have a 1,000 flaws and patches maybe there would be less chances for a client or a test site to screw up
I understand many of your frustation but as Duncan say Why blame in prometric? Do you know how many call we take at day? We explain to the candidate what need to take on the day of their examan plus we send a confirmation by email and another by post. The Rules about Id is set up for your on safety. Also say is not perfect sometimes we have issue with the system but we try to make that work in the most liable way. If you feel that you are not given the Customer Service that you deserve you can take the name of that person and write. If you ask we supply the address where to.
I sorry that you have a bad service and I hope that your experience get better.
That you wait 90 minutes to book a H/S is not acceptable but probably that day we have some issues with the system. Can I ask you Do you have all the information that we need to book the test? Cand Full Name Dob NIN and full Address.
Thanks all for your comments.
ZR