Frequently Asked Questions
Training is recommended as part of your certification preparation, but it is not mandatory for the completion of the certification.
Visit each exam’s information page for more details:
We review our exams with every product release. Any changes that affect the objective domain and the existing questions are incorporated into the exam.
Simpro reserves the right to revise content as and when required, to ensure the validity and relevance of our certifications. The scope of these updates might encompass, but is not limited to, incorporating functionality and features related to product changes, adaptation to evolving job role requirements, and the like.
All questions only relate to core Simpro Premium features, it does not relate to any features or functions that are in addition to the standard license.
We update the exam details page to notify candidates when changes occur.
Our main channel of communication with candidates regarding exam content is via the exam details page. Therefore, immediate updates reflecting any changes will be posted there. We highly advise that you consistently check the exam details page during your preparation phase for the most recent updates.
The Simpro Certification exams are a pass or fail exam. The exams are scored against a minimum standard established by Simpro professionals who follow certification industry best practices and guidelines.
You are given a score report at the conclusion of an exam and it contains a section analysis of your performance in each section of the exam. The exam uses a compensatory scoring model, which means that you do not need to achieve a passing score in each section. You need to pass only the overall exam.
Each section of the exam has a specific weighting, so some sections have more questions than other sections have. This information is shared solely for your reference, to help you identify your strengths and possible areas of improvement.
Visit: Exam Retake policy
No. Simpro does not offer refunds for exams you do not pass or exam appointments you miss.
To report technical difficulties experienced during your exam, please contact customer service https://home.pearsonvue.com/simpro/contact
If you have any security concerns to report or would like to share feedback, please feel free to reach out to us via email at [email protected].
To verify a Simpro Certification, ask the earner for a Simpro Certification digital badge link. Unique links to Simpro Certification digital badges are assigned to each certified individual. Digital badges can also be linked from social media profiles or personal websites.
Pearson VUE is using AI as a second set of eyes to watch for non-complying candidate behavior. To be useful, AI must be of extremely high quality and it must be safe. We have designed our systems so that AI cannot take any action—it only raises a flag to signal the human proctor to review associated candidate events. We employ a number of technologies to assist our human proctors, including:
- No-body sensor—to flag if a candidate leaves the video
- Body sensor—flagging when a second person is present
- Audio meters—to show proctors which candidates are speaking or making unusual noise
- Object sensor—to indicate the potential presence of an unauthorized object, such as a mobile device (currently in development)
OnVUE delivery is a global offering and approved in most countries, but exceptions are listed below. Exams can be published in a variety of languages, but all proctor and other support interactions are conducted in English. Below is the list of country exceptions and limitations:
- US businesses are not allowed to do business in OFAC-sanctioned countries, which include Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic (Syria), and the Sevastapol/Crimea region of Ukraine.
- Delivery in China is not encouraged due to internet censorship rules and local regulations.
- Delivery in South Korea is not encouraged due to local language requirements.
The average wait for a greeter is between 1 and 5 minutes. During the busiest times of the day, candidates can wait over 10 minutes. If candidates no longer want to wait and would prefer to reschedule instead, they can do so by contacting customer service.
Pearson VUE doesn't allow back-to-back scheduling of exams that are to be delivered with OnVUE.
An appointment must be scheduled, but exams can be delivered within the hour if an appointment is available. Most candidates can find an appointment within two days.
These candidates must register with the address that is on their ID. When candidates schedule their OnVUE exam, they will be asked to select their time zone. If they do not, they are presented with times based on the location that their browser is set to.
The OnVUE application has two components: the proctoring software and the secure browser.
The proctoring software is responsible for collecting candidate information, checking internet speed, and video streaming for greeting and proctoring. Once candidates submit their testing session information, the secure browser is launched.
The integrated secure browser is responsible for locking down the candidate’s computer and displaying the exam content.
Currently, the OnVUE application has about 100 MB to be downloaded to the candidate’s computer.
These are examples of activity that Pearson VUE Browser Lock prevents: Copy/paste from outside of the secure browser to the test content and vice versa
- Printing
- Accessing the desktop
- Using VMs
- Screen cast
- Other actions that Browser Lock allows or forbids are trade secrets.
We have published a brief explanation of how Browser Lock works; please request it from your Pearson VUE program manager.
OnVUE exams are available 24 hours a day every day of the year with greeters who speak English—except for pre-communicated outages and a small maintenance window on Sunday for scheduled product updates. (We are working toward eliminating these interruptions as well.)
Yes. Proctors do interrupt candidates, if warranted, and take appropriate actions. Sometimes, it’s to offer a reminder (no talking) and sometimes it’s investigation (show me the room, your desk, etc.).
A beverage in any container is allowed on the desk during testing. Eating, smoking, and chewing gum are prohibited. If a test is long and includes a scheduled break, candidates could eat and drink during the break.
At this time, OnVUE testing is required to run on desktop and laptop computers running Windows or macOS operating systems that meet these minimum specifications.
Using a tablet is explicitly prohibited (for security reasons) unless it is running Windows 10 or 11 in Notebook mode (i.e., Microsoft Surface), has a physical keyboard, and meets other minimum specifications.
Touchscreens have not been tested on the respective test drivers, so they are not supported for delivery; a physical keyboard is required.
Exam time is stopped while the candidate is not in OnVUE with the test running.
If the internet disconnection is longer than 3 seconds, OnVUE will shut down the secure browser and the exam. Candidates may restart their internet connections. The OnVUE application displays a screen that indicates we have detected a disruption of internet and ask candidates if they would like to resume the exam. When a candidate does so, that candidate is put directly back into the proctor queue (identity and workspace will not be revalidated) and the proctor will release the exam to the candidate again. The candidate will resume testing at the question following the last answered question. The candidate does not lose time during the internet disruption as the exam clock also stops when the internet disconnects.
Candidates are told to keep their mobile phones nearby (but not in arm’s reach) in case the proctor needs to call them. If a phone rings during the exam, candidates should ignore the call. If a proctor questions them about the noise, candidates can explain that it is their phone ringing. If candidates have an alarm or reminder that goes off on their phone, they will be allowed to turn off the alarm.
Candidates can click the Check-in to start exam link in their confirmation, rescheduling, or reminder email message from Pearson VUE. Alternatively, they can sign in to their Pearson Vue account and click the Check-in button there.
Pearson VUE has been online proctoring exams since 2014 and proctoring exams for much longer. Our proctor training, rules, and quality-assurance procedures constantly evolve and are partly trade secret. Proctors may, at their discretion, either issue a warning for behavior they observe or revoke a candidate’s exam.
Although this list is not exhaustive, the following candidate actions are prohibited and can result in a proctor revoking a candidate’s OnVUE exam:
- Accessing a mobile device
- Accessing unauthorized items or materials
- Having a mobile device within arm’s reach and within view of the webcam
- Leaning partially offscreen
- Leaving the webcam view
- Mumbling or speaking aloud
- Speaking to another person
- Wearing headphones, earbuds, or a headset without exam sponsor approval.