[NFBCS] Pearson VUE Testing Acomodations for the ISC2 Certified Information Systems Professional (CISSP) Exam

[Beth Fogle-Hatch]

Hi everyone,


I made an error, the correct name of this certification is the Certified 
Information Systems Security Professional Exam, CISSP.


Best


Beth

On 1/21/2024 3:03 PM, Beth Fogle-Hatch wrote:
> Hello Harry,, all,
>
>
> Harry, I'm sorry for the experience you had with Pearson Vue. I had a 
> similar experience back in 2015, so I'm disappointed and discouraged 
> to hear about yours. I asked Pearson Vue to allow me to use JAWS to 
> take the CISSP(Certified Information Systems Security  Program) exam 
> in 2015. I believe the test measured my computer experience and 
> knowledge in many areas and therefore, I should have been able to take 
> the test using a computer ans assistive technology. I exchanged many 
> letters with ISSC2 (the certifying body) and Pearson Vue, (testing 
> provider.) Each blamed the other for the difficulty I had with 
> arranging accommodations, getting an accessible test with JAWS, and 
> taking the test. Although human readers are a valuable and efficient 
> means of accommodation, I did not want to use double time (at that 
> time it could have been up to 12 hours because in 2015 sighted people 
> were given six hours to take the 250 question test) the computer would 
> be quicker and more efficient for me.
>
>
> Consequently, after much discussion and negotiation, a PDF version of 
> the CISSP test was produced for my use and I took the test with a 
> proctor in the room with me. The test contained static answers, 
> meaning they did not change based on the previous answers I provided. 
> I was told the "dynamic" nature of this test, and the inaccessible 
> Pearson Vue test was why I couldn't take the same test as my sighted 
> peers.
>
>
> The problem was made worse when I learned I did not pass the test in 
> my opinion due to mislabeled choice answers. For example,the second 
> check box should read the answer and then "2 out of five" to show how 
> many choices were available while reading each choice for a particular 
> question. Instead, though I knew I was on the second question, the 
> description would say "three out of five." Hence, it was difficult to 
> know if I was choosing the second or third answer.
>
>
> I wrote Pearson Vue and ISSC2 again and explained my problems with the 
> check boxes and was told they hired an accessibility expert to make 
> this file. If I did not pass the test due to my lack of study or 
> knowledge, that's on me, but the test was not accessible due to its 
> errors.
>
>
> I approached the NFB for support, and although the staff understood my 
> stress and frustration, they decided not to take my case. Now that 
> there are many of us doing these certification exams, I hope we will 
> fight this now as it is imperative blind people have the same 
> opportunities as our sighted colleagues do to  take and pass these 
> high stakes certification exams as they are required for our career 
> advancement.
>
> Best
>
>
> BethISSC2  1/20/2024 1:24 PM, Harry Staley via NFBCS wrote:
>
>> BLUF:
>> Pearson VUE IMHO does not provide equal access for people with 
>> disabilities.
>>
>> SITUATION:
>> The CISSP exam is a professional Cybersecurity exam that costs 
>> $750.00 every time you sit for the exam regardless of your passing 
>> status. Also not that only %20 of test takers pass the exam on their 
>> first try. The exam is a 125 to 175 Computer Adaptive Exam (CAT) 
>> where the answers you give early on in the exam determine what 
>> questions you get further on in the exam and an algorithm is used to 
>> determine whether giving you more questions would help the algorithm 
>> determine your pass or failure on the exam.
>>
>> ACCOMMODATION REQUEST AND SCHEDULING:
>> After several months of study and preparation I requested reasonable 
>> accommodations in the form of extended time and the use of large 
>> white board markers, and a reader on the exam. I was not told that I 
>> needed to provide anything for the exam in fact I was told that I 
>> should not bring anything into the testing area unless explicitly 
>> instructed to.
>>
>> ISC2 and Pearson approved the accommodations.
>>
>> I scheduled my exam in early November requesting a date in December 
>> and was told that I would need to wait 3-5 days for Pearson to 
>> contact me to offer me an available date that was convenient for 
>> them. I was contacted 5 days later and was offered a date that was in 
>> less than 10 days from that date. I asked for a different date 
>> possibly in January. I was contacted the following week and was given 
>> a January 8th exam date and I accepted the appointment.
>>
>> This process is just quite simply a bad process and is not conducive 
>> to those who are working professionals in the cybersecurity field.
>>
>> EXAM DAY:
>> I arrived at the testing center 45 minutes prior to my exam start 
>> time. I got checked in for my exam and was told that I was to provide 
>> the large white board markers for the exam and I would forfeit my 
>> exam time if I left the center to go purchase the item and came back 
>> due to the extended time going past the hours of operation for the 
>> center. The center attendant had numerous of these pens on her desk 
>> asking about them she reiterated that I needed to provide them for 
>> the exam.
>>
>> I was able to phone my wife and she bought some pens from the store 
>> and brought them to me. I got started on the exam and the reader was 
>> reading the Non-Disclosure Agreement prior to starting the exam and 
>> the exams suddenly stopped letting us know that we did not agree to 
>> the NDA in the allotted time limit.
>>
>> The software did not show a timer nor was there a pop up notifying 
>> myself or the reader that we had a time limit to read and accept the 
>> NDA. The exam administrator escorted me and the reader out of the 
>> testing area stating that she could not reset the exam and that I 
>> would need to contact Pearson and ISC2 support.
>>
>> I have contacted Pearson VUE and they have denied me the ability to 
>> reschedule the exam without providing a new voucher or paying for the 
>> exam again. I contacted ISC2 and gave them the situation and the 
>> promptly provided me with a new exam voucher so that I can take the 
>> exam.
>>
>> I have rescheduled the exam and am waiting to hear back as to when it 
>> is convenient for Pearson VUE to allow me to test.
>>
>> I would hope that the NFB would take up this cause because there are 
>> lots of high stakes testing situations that are minimally required 
>> for us as Blind people advance in our careers as technologists.
>>
>> Harry Staley
>> (330) 718-1876
>> Hstaley at nfbtx.org
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