How to book a Microsoft exam with Pearson VUE

Over the last week or so there have been a few questions about how to book a Microsoft Exam through Pearson VUE online. The booking method is different from the how it was booked through the Prometric site. So here is a quick blog post on how to book and what the changes are.

Microsoft where with both Prometric and Pearson VUE up to 2007 when they changed to be solely with Prometric and Cisco went to Pearson VUE only. Starting September 4th 2014 Microsoft are beginning the move to Pearson VUE with the deadline of December 31st for all Microsoft exams to be exclusively available through Pearson VUE. For our testing center this allows us to dedicate our resources to Pearson VUE testing and upgrade and increase the capacity of our Pearson VUE Select testing center.

Why is Microsoft Making the Change??? (From the MS/Pearson VUE FAQ)

"Microsoft has a long history of testing with Pearson VUE and its Certiport business. Between the two businesses, Microsoft has worked with Pearson VUE for more than 15 years. Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) and Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) academic exams will continue to be delivered via the Certiport test center network as they have been up to this point. However, Microsoft is expanding its relationship with Pearson VUE beyond its Certiport delivery to include delivery of the Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) exams and MTA exams through Pearson VUE Authorized Test Centers beginning September 4, 2014. Over the months and years ahead, Microsoft plans to introduce other innovations designed to enhance the candidate experience as part of this expanded relationship with Pearson VUE."

So for those who need a little guidance on how to book your exam through the new process I have put together a small Step by Step Guide ):

To get started you will need to navigate to your preferred exam and login to your Microsoft Account. Firstly open your browser and go to https://www.Microsoft.com/learning or just click the link :)

Find your exam through the “Certifications & Exams” section

When you select an subject or certification you will go to a page similar to the below.

From here click on the required exam that you are requesting to book/schedule.

You are then presented with the details for the exam including the rate excluding VAT and Card charges, from here select Pearson VUE.

Login and confirm your exam details, then click “Submit”

Select your booking method, for scheduling for a date at a public testing centre select “I will be scheduling for a future date at a test centre” and click “Next”

Select your preferred exam/testing language, and click “Next”.

Tip: If Your first language is not available and are testing in a different language you may be able to take advantage of special consideration, generally extra time, to see if you can avail of this phone VUE directly (In Ireland from a landline only it is 1800 552 131)

Confirm that the exam details are correct on screen if not select “Previous” and change as appropriate if you are happy to proceed select “Schedule this Exam”

Your address that you have registered with your Live Id will be listed, if you are looking for the closest testing centre from here click “Search” or alternatively enter your preferred location and click “Search”. This will give you a list of the closest testing locations.

Following this you will be given a list of test centres by distance to your entered location or address. You can now check which testing centre you wish to take it at and click next.

You are then given a list of available dates at that center, you can click on the individual date to get a list of available times.

You then click on the most appropriate time slot and this will bring you to the order screen.

This "My Order" screen lists the details for the exam, language, duration, location, date, time and total cost with tax/VAT.

Next it will bring you to a screen to confirm your personal details, then agree to policy, credit card details, submit order and finally you are given your receipt.

Tip: Print out the receipt if you need to claim this back from your employer.

Note: If you do not agree to terms and conditions you will not be able to continue to book the exam.