NSCC gets Pearson VUE certification to administer tests

Those looking to further their education and take the necessary tests and exams can do it a whole lot closer to home in Pictou County.

The NSCC Pictou Campus in Stellarton has gotten its i’s dotted and t’s crossed to become an even more important centre of education in the area. The campus has recently been certified as a Pearson VUE Authorized Test Centre.

“We are happy to offer this important service in our community. The Authorized Test Centre will increase access to high stakes testing in Pictou County, making the process easier for residents who are looking to increase their level of education,” wrote Kate Williams, a learning commons assistant at the NSCC Pictou Campus in an e-mail to The News.

Williams said that Pearson VUE is “the leader” in computer-based testing. Pearson VUE prioritizes secure testing environments for tests and exams where a lot is at stake.

Williams said that for ease of access to the testing facility, the Pictou Campus will be open on one Saturday and one evening per month, to accommodate people who need to use its testing facility.

Before it was officially authorized by Pearson VUE, the Pictou Campus offered proctoring for NSCC online courses, as well as accommodated testing, on-campus. Testing services were also externally offered at the NSCC Pictou Campus and provided to many Canadian universities and colleges. Williams said those services will continue to be offered.

“Now that we are a Pearson VUE Authorized Test Centre, we are able to proctor VUE exams,” said Williams.

“These include GED exams, Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination and Canadian Dietetics Registration Examination (CDRE).

In order to become Pearson VUE authorized, Williams said the Pictou Campus of NSCC had to meet a number of site requirements. Some of these requirements included the presence of a waiting room, lockers, security cameras and use of Pearson VUE software.