On this page:
- What to Expect on Test Day
- Identification (ID) Requirements
- Secondary ID
- General Exam Policies
- Local Test Center Policies
What to Expect on Test Day
You are asked to arrive at the test center 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time. This will give you adequate time to complete the necessary sign-in procedures. If you arrive more than 15 minutes late for your appointment, you will forfeit the assessment fee paid by your organization and you will be required to start a new enrollment before rescheduling your appointment.
For more information on what to expect at the test center, please watch the video from Pearson VUE below:
https://www.pearsonvue.com/us/en/test-takers/resources.html#what-to-expect
If you have any questions or concerns about the ID you are required to bring with you to the testing center for admittance to your assessment, please contact the Pearson VUE consumer service at https://www.pearsonvue.com/us/en/deca. To view the full ID policy, including any additional allowances to this policy, please visit http://www.pearsonvue.com/policies/1.pdf.
Identification (ID) Requirements
The candidate is required to present one form of original (no photocopies or digital IDs), valid (unexpired) ID. This ID must be government-issued with name, recent recognizable photo, and signature.
The first and last name that the candidate uses to register must match exactly the first and last name on the ID that is presented on test day. (Middle name is not required).
All IDs required must be issued by the United States (or the country in which the assessment is being taken in).
Forms ID Examples:
U.S. Passport
U.S. Driver's License
U.S. Military ID
U.S. National or State ID Card
General Exam Policies
No personal items may be taken into the testing room. This includes all mobile devices or cameras, watches, cellular phones, personal notes, handheld computers, study materials, any communication or recording devices, bags, briefcases, wallets, backpacks, etc. All personal items will be stored in a designated locked area of the testing center for the duration of your exam. You will not have access to locked personal items for the duration of the exam unless a reasonable accommodation is approved prior to registering for your exam.
Test centers only have one monitor. Once the exam begins, electronic access is provided to the reference documents. Only one document will open at a time. The document window can be resized and moved around the screen. You can zoom in and out of the document window, using the CTRL + / CTRL – on the keyboard (zoom in and out using mouse wheel is NOT supported). Keyword search (CTRL-F) is NOT supported. The Delegated Examining Operations Handbook table of contents is hyperlinked. You will have access to the following reference documents:
- Delegated Examining Operations Handbook (June 2019)
- Appendix A of the Vet Guide
- Please note, the entire Vet Guide is not available, only sections relevant to the assessment are included for reference.
- Group Coverage Qualification Standards for Administrative and Management Positions
- Group Coverage Qualifications Standards for Clerical and Administrative Support positions
- Acronym List
The following images are designed to familiarize test takers with navigating the on-screen resources.
Resources are displayed on the left-hand side of the test screen.
Resources will open on the screen and may hide test questions from view. All resources will open to the first page of the document - you will not be able to pick up where you left off.
How Resources are Navigated:
A) The Three Bars button on the left side collapses the side bar for single panel viewing (Pink Arrow).
B) The Plus and Minus buttons near the percentage at the top will zoom the resource in and out (Green Arrows).
C) The Fit to Width button adjusts the resource to fit the width of the screen (Orange Arrow).
D) The Rotate Page Clockwise button rotates the resource (White Arrow).
E) The Right Bar scrolls with the page(s) of the resource (Yellow Arrow).
DE Operations Handbook with hyperlinked sections for navigation. Control Find (Control + F) functionality is disabled for use for all resources.
Resources may open in different areas of the screen. Resources can be moved by expanding the window. To expand the window, test takers should hover over the desired corner of the resource and drag to resize. Test takers may choose to shrink the window and place it over the "Attachments and Tools" navigation area so the resource and question are side by side.
To zoom in or out of a resource, use the "-" and "+" buttons near the top of the resource.
This is an example of how the on-screen calculator appears. The calculator can be moved to a different place on screen, including the ability to cover the "Attachments and Tools" area so the question and the calculator can be viewed side by side. Physical calculators are available for use, pending test center availability.
Calculators are allowed during the exam. There is a virtual calculator provided in the exam. A physical calculator may be used if the test facility has them available. You may ask during the facility check-in process if a physical calculator is offered. If not, you can use the virtual calculator in the test.
Erasable boards are also permitted for use during the assessment. If you wish to use an erasable board, the test center will provide you with one. The board may not be used until the assessment begins. Local sites may also restrict you from erasing it at the end of the assessment.
No other materials or references may be used while completing the assessment.
You will have 1 hour and 30 minutes to complete the assessment.
If a Reasonable Accommodation for additional time has been approved the test time will be updated to 2 hours and 15 minutes.
If you need a Reasonable Accommodation, please ensure you have been approved by the Delegated Examining Certification Program BEFORE you schedule your exam. If you do not have an approved Reasonable Accommodation and need to request a Reasonable Accommodation, please discontinue the exam scheduling process and contact DERARequest@opm.gov for further assistance.
Local Test Center Policies
All Pearson VUE test centers will require test takers to read and sign a Candidate Rules Agreement outlining Pearson VUE's test policies. Test takers are encouraged to review this document in advance to prepare for their assessment appointment. A copy of the document is located at the following link: https://www.pearsonvue.com/content/dam/VUE/vue/global/documents/candidate-rules/candidate-rules-agreement.pdf
Local Test Centers may have additional rules and/or policies. Test takers may wish to reach out to their selected test center prior to the test appointment to inquire about additional rules and policies. Test center contact information can be found on the test taker's assessment confirmation email or in the test taker's Pearson VUE account.