Last Saturday I took the PMI-ACP exam online, and I thought I would share my experience.
Earlier in the week, I downloaded the Pearson OnVue software and ran through the environment tests. The software found a random application running that it didn't like, so I had to hunt it down and figure out how to close it. When the software was satisfied, it sent a text message to my phone to upload photos of my ID (front and back) and my home office ( views from my desk from the front, back, left, and right). There was a message that I could do this from my webcam instead if desired. At this point I left my external monitor in place and my work laptop on my desk as I figured it didn't matter for the practice run. Everything seemed to check out okay, so I closed the app and went about my week.
On the morning of my test I had to go through the exact same process again. Everything happened the same as the test run, but this time I removed my work laptop and put a pillowcase over my external monitor just to emphasize it wasn't in use. The proctor came online in the chat window and asked to see my desk surface. This wasn't easy because of the power cord and network cable, but ultimately she was satisfied with her view of my desk. She told me to remove the pens from my desk and then I was good to go. Once again the random program was flagged by the OnVue software, but it took me a little longer to figure out how to close it again. The proctor offered a few suggestions, trying to be helpful, but ultimately I was able to figure it out on my own.
The proctor then told me I was okay to proceed. It wasn't clear whether I would still need the proctor prior to the test starting, so I tried to move the chat window so I could read the user agreement. Ultimately I clicked the chat button wondering if it would toggle the window. This caused a second proctor to promptly appear, asking if I needed help. I explained my toggle theory and she wished me luck and went on her way. I ultimately just closed the chat window and proceeded.
Once the test started, I never heard from the proctor again. I had read about people getting prompted to remove their hands from their face, so I paid a lot of attention to where my hands were. I tried to make as little noise as possible just to make it clear to the proctor that no outside influence was present. Some screaming kids and a barking dog outside my window within the first few minutes didn't seem to bother them much, though it was pretty distracting for me.
Overall I think the proctored experience went well. I was pretty self-conscious being on video, trying to limit scratching any itches on my face or cracking my neck or back too often. The proctors were really nice, and I didn't run into any technical difficulties other than that random program needing to be closed. It helped that this was the PMI-ACP exam, which is significantly shorter than the PMP exam.
I recommend the online proctored exam for the PMI-ACP, but if I had to do it again, I'd still do the PMP at a test center.
I completed the exam in about an hour and a half, and then reviewed some flagged questions (maybe 10-12 questions). I ended the test at about an hour and 50 minutes. I received the congratulations message and then filled out the survey.
Because I took the exam on a Saturday, I had to wait the whole weekend for any further acknowledgement of my exam results. Pearson was first to post my results, early Monday morning. PMI sent me the congratulations email on Tuesday morning and my name showed up on the PMI-ACP registry. My digital badge was posted on Thursday, and ProjectManagement.com posted my PMI-ACP status the same day. I provided this timing because I think the weekend delayed my results a bit. This isn't exactly a deal breaker, but I was anxious to see how well I performed and had to wait a couple extra days.
If you haven't yet taken the exam, good luck. Hopefully this was helpful in terms of understanding the experience. If you had a different experience, for better or for worse, please share that too so others can get a more complete view of the online proctored experience.
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