To help candidates prepare for a smooth exam day experience, the ABD compiled these tips.
General Tips for All Candidates
ONVUE Online Proctor Tips for Candidates Testing at Home
Test Center Tips for Candidates Traveling to a Pearson Professional Center
General Tips for All Candidates
Cancellation Policy
Candidates who wish to cancel an exam appointment must contact Pearson VUE or access their online Pearson VUE account to cancel the appointment at least 48 hours prior to the appointment time. Exams cannot be cancelled less than 48 hours in advance.
Failure to cancel your Pearson VUE appointment before the 48-hour mark, or failure to appear for an appointment, will result in the forfeiture of the fee paid to cover the number of module(s) planned for the appointment. To avoid forfeiting the fee for the scheduled modules, please cancel your appointment with a minimum of 48-hours notice.
To ensure the ABD has a proper record of your cancelled exam appointment, please cancel your appointment with Pearson VUE first and then contact the ABD office to update your application status.
Exam Confirmation Email
After scheduling your Pearson VUE appointment, you will receive an email confirmation. Review this carefully and make note of your appointment time. Pearson VUE cannot accommodate candidates who arrive late for appointments.
Dermatopathology Module Sample Items
Approximately 30 items within the Dermatopathology module use a virtual dermatopathology (VDP) viewer. The ABD website has a set of 5 sample items to allow residents to practice with the VDP viewer prior to the exam. Residents are encouraged to access this exercise to practice navigating within the virtual pathology viewer. For best results when accessing the sample items, and to simulate the exam day experience, use a CHROME or FIREFOX browser. Do not use other browsers or access the exercise from a mobile phone or tablet.
Dermatopathology Viewer User Tips
Refer to our Dermatopathology Module Tips for more details about using the VDP viewer during the exam.
Exam Interface
Candidates have access to an on-screen calculator and tool to flag questions to review later and add notes.
OnVUE Online Proctor Tips for Candidates Testing at Home
Online proctor candidates are responsible for providing the appropriate environment, computer equipment, and internet connection on exam day. If any of these are faulty, the exam may be canceled or invalidated, and the candidate may have to wait until the next cycle to take the exam. Candidates with any concerns about the reliability of their computer or internet connection are strongly encouraged to schedule a test center appointment instead. Please read these guidelines and tips carefully to ensure you are aware of all requirements.
System Check
To reduce the likelihood of technical snags on Exam Day, perform another System Check in advance! This ensures your computer remains compatible with the OnVUE Online Proctoring system. Changes to your browser, updates to your Operating System and the installation of new programs since your last System Test could create unexpected conflicts. Discovering and resolving such issues prior to Exam Day is strongly advised.
Be Aware of Forbidden Programs
If the OnVUE Online Proctoring system detects usage of a forbidden program during your exam, it will immediately stop your exam and your exam cannot be restarted. Forbidden programs include messaging apps, screen sharing mechanisms, video chats, security software and secondary monitors. Your Exam Day System Test will detect such programs and will require you to close them before starting. However, you should also temporarily disable such programs to prevent them from inadvertently activating during your exam. Since forbidden program detection is a fundamental function of OnVUE online proctoring, the ABD is unable to make exceptions for exams that stop due to a forbidden program.
Internet Connection
A hardwired connection is strongly recommended since WiFi connections can be unreliable. If your Wi-Fi connection drops during the exam, you may not be able to resume testing and your exam will be invalidated.
Minimize Network Traffic
To reduce the likelihood of network interruptions which can disconnect your exam, minimize other activities happening on your network during your exam. For example, if others in your home are streaming movies, downloading large files or conducting video calls during your exam, your network may not be able to seamlessly manage the demand. Take all reasonable measures to ensure your exam is the only bandwidth-intensive activity happening on your network.
Prepare Your Space
To ensure you pass the Exam Day room scan, tidy your space in advance. Remove notebooks, paper, pens/pencils, books and food/drink from your work surface for the duration of the exam and during breaks. Water in a clear container is permitted.
Arrive On Time
You are encouraged to check in up to 15 minutes prior to your appointment start time to leave plenty of time to complete the system check, ID capture and room scan. Arriving more than 15 minutes after your appointment start time will prevent you from accessing the exam. You must contact Pearson VUE during their regular business hours (Monday – Friday, 8 am – 8 pm eastern) to reschedule your appointment. The ABD cannot override this policy or schedule an appointment on your behalf under any circumstance, so prompt attendance is imperative.
Bring Your ID and Cell Phone
To ensure a smooth check-in process, have a current (not expired) government-issued photo ID and cell phone available. The middle name on your ID will not be checked during the validation process.
Agree to Exam Rules
On Exam Day, you will be presented with the exam rules and must agree to them before starting the exam. Your exam will be revoked if these rules are violated.
- Do not allow other people in your workspace
- Do not leave your workspace
- Do not speak out loud during the exam
- Do not cover your month or face during the exam
- Do not record or photograph any part of the exam
- Do not access unauthorized materials, including books, notes, watches or mobile devices
- Do not access your phone unless Person VUE contacts you
Breaks Between Module
The CORE Exam is configured with 15-minute breaks between modules. However, in the online proctor environment, you must click the BEGIN BREAK button (located in the bottom right corner) before stepping away from your computer to take a break. Clicking BEGIN BREAK alerts the proctor that you are on a planned break between modules. If you step away from your computer without clicking BEGIN BREAK, the Pearson VUE proctor will disconnect your exam and you will not be permitted to resume the exam to complete the remaining module(s). This is a universal Pearson VUE online proctor policy to ensure security and fairness in all exams they proctor.
Technical Support
If you experience technical issues while launching or taking your exam, access the Pearson VUE ‘Live Chat’ feature for assistance. Do not call Pearson VUE Customer Support. The Pearson VUE staff members who monitor ‘Live Chat’ have the technical expertise to guide you through troubleshooting or resolving your issue. There is a button to access ‘Live Chat’ from the bottom of the OnVUE start page. Additionally, you may use the ‘Raise Your Hand’ button during the exam to signal to your live proctor that you need assistance. Your proctor can communicate with you through your webcam to help address common technical snags. Keep in mind, however, that the Proctors are not the technical experts on the platform. The staff available on ‘Live Chat’ provide the most in-depth support. Also be aware that if your exam has started and you request technical support, the clock continues to count down.
Administration Difficulties
If you encounter any adverse circumstances that prevent you from taking or finishing the exam, please alert the ABD. We will address your matter during our regular business hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm eastern time. Pearson VUE does not proactively notify the ABD of these circumstances.
Additional Resources
Refer to the Pearson VUE's ABD OnVUE Testing page for additional resources including FAQs, a video overview of OnVUE and a summary of the technical requirements.
Test Center Tips for Candidates Testing at a Pearson Professional Center
Identification
When checking in at the Test Center, Pearson VUE staff will ask for two forms of identification: a government-issued photo ID and another ID with your signature. Please have both available when you arrive. The first and last name on your photo ID must exactly match the name in your Pearson VUE profile.
Emergency Test Center Closures
If there is an emergency, such as a severe weather event, that forces your Test Center to close on Exam Day, you will receive an automated email from Pearson VUE advising you of the exam cancellation and directing you to the Pearson VUE website’s scheduling system to book another Test Center appointment. If you are unable to find a suitable alternate appointment, you must call Pearson VUE during their normal business hours (Monday – Friday, 8 am – 8 pm eastern) to discuss further options. Pearson VUE scheduling staff is not available on the weekends.
Case Reports
If you experience any adverse circumstances during your exam, such as suboptimal image display or poor computer performance, please report the matter to your proctor during the exam. Ensure a Case Report is logged in the Pearson VUE system so the ABD can obtain verification of the issue, should the need arise. If you encounter any adverse circumstances that prevent you from taking or finishing the exam, please alert the ABD. We will address your matter during our regular business hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm eastern time. Pearson VUE does not proactively notify the ABD of these circumstances.
