Hey folks, I was wondering if any of you have used the Kryterion and Pearson/VUE Testing Centres to take professional IT exams and hoping maybe you could help me out with some testing centre questions. I am slated to take a few vendor centric exams and I have the option to take the exams at some of the local testing centres around Shibuya and Shinjuku like *iServe*, *Prometric*, *Takadanobaba Testing* etc.
**Q1**: Is there an option to get a US Keyboard for the exam?
I am not familiar with the Japanese one and during my recent attempts to acclimate while trying to work with my partner’s laptop which has one, I made some errors that could really cost me crucial exam time.
**Q2**: If they don’t have a US Keyboard, will they allow me to bring one I can buy online?
Some of the exams have an option to take them online. I tried to take one, but despite me trying to clear as much personal items as possible in my apartment, I couldn’t get the required approval by the exam proctor to take the test at my place. My apartment is too open and that specific examiner is rather extra fussy about the test surroundings.
**Q3**: Given that, has anyone used the booked Internet café rooms instead? If so, how was that experience?
**Q4**: My current Japanese level is N5 at best, has anyone had any language barrier issues at the centre?
Much obliged to all those who can help.
2 comments
Used Pearson before and it was a Japanese key keyboard. Just changing the keyboard wouldn’t change the mapping and I doubt they would let you change that
Regarding Exam Centers, they’re extremely picky about what can be brought into the exam area, so it’s doubtful you’ll be allowed to bring in an English keyboard.
For English support, there might be someone there who speaks English depending on where and what time of day/day of the week you. You might have some luck at some of the larger testing locations (like in Shinjuku), but don’t bet on it. They’ll most definitely provide a rule sheet that you need to read and sign in English though.
As for online exams, they’re super picky. You’re best bet would be to find one of those station work pods that people sometimes do meetings in. A manga cafe might be acceptable if you could get a private room with fully sealed door (top to bottom) but those are rare. A normal cafe might be too risky. Even though mostly quiet, distractions can come at any time.