[Nate]

Hi everyone, so today I sat for BEC and had to go to the bathroom during one of the testlets. The exam proctor at Prometric told me that it would be reported to the board if I take the unscheduled break as I am only allowed to take breaks between testlets. I didn’t know what she meant by this and just assumed it was a formality. I looked it up online a short while ago and found some saying that the board has the discretion to void your exam if you take an unscheduled break. Does anyone know about this/has this happened to anyone? I live in California and I’ve heard that CA’s board is very strict. So I’m pretty worried right now.

[Tim]

I dunno man I wish you the best but not something I ever would have done. I feel like there's a lot of places where it tells you you can't take breaks in the middle of testlets. Doesn't that first screen you have to agree to before the exam starts say that?

[jules1268]

I hope it works out for you but yea, they are pretty clear not to leave during a testlet. Lots of room for cheating since you can look stuff up and go back to change answers – not that you did, I'm just giving a scenario. Good luck!

[chandler]

Yep looks really bad to someone who doesn't know better. Huge difference between an unscheduled and an untimed break. You can always hope that it gets lost somewhere in the bureaucracy of it all.

[bhunt815]

I showed up to one of my tests with a terrible cold. They gave me 2 kleenex, made me unwrap my Hall's cough drops and throw the wrappers away, and told me they'd see me after the testlet was over. The testing center I went to was pretty serious about our breaks.

FAR 04/11/2016 - 84
AUD 05/12/2016 - 79
BEC 07/06/2016 - 81
REG 08/29/2016

[Nate]

I hate to say this but I'd be surprised if they didn't void this exam, they're very strict and clear about not taking breaks during a testlet, they give multiple warnings not to take breaks during testlets. I'm surprised the exam proctor didn't do more to stop/warn you. Did you ask for clarification when you didn't know what she meant?

[Recked]

I understand that breaks are only allowed between testlets. I understand that I will be asked to complete any open testlet before leaving the testing room for a break. In addition, I understand that failure to comply with this Policy Statement and Confidentiality Agreement could result in the invalidation of my scores, disqualification from future exams, expulsion from the testing facility, and possibly civil or criminal penalties.

Quote from screen 1 or 2 instruction screens.

From the CPA Bulletin page 52.
You also have the option to take a break at the end of each testlet. You will not be allowed to take a break at any
other time during the examination. If you leave the testing room at any time, without exiting the testlet and
selecting the break option, you will not be allowed to return to the testing room. Information regarding your
absence will be reported to your Board of Accountancy.

I honestly can't believe they let you back in to the exam room.

[Pork Flavored Bacon]

The excerpt quoted by Recked has been in effect since I took the exam several years ago.
The fact Prometric let you back in the room at all tells me they are completely incompetent. This may be a good thing as you can hope she also did not report this event.

FAR - 75 | REG - 87 | AUD - 82 | LAW - 81

[felixsphone]

Please let us know how it turns out. I hope they don't pull a fast one on you: oh you passed, oh we're taking it away. If you wanted to be proactive you could contact them and let them know the situation that way when 12/19 comes around you won't have to live in fear that they're going to take your score away. Who knows though.

[YouCanDoIt]

@Bhunt I saw a test taker in same situation as you the other day with the halls, the prometric staff were explaining how they can only allow 1 (or 2) Kleenex to be taken inside as people tend to write on the tissue as well. The test taker is made to dispose of their kleenex and take a new one inside. I guess if someone did want to take the chance to cheat that way, they could, don't know. This was a test center in NY, and staff was great.

FAR: 76
REG: Currently studying
AUD:
BEC:

[Kodiak]

You couldn't make it through to the end of the testlet? Better to have rushed through than to risk getting your exam voided.

[Coco1]

Did you find out about your situation?

[cpa1234]

I'm also really curious to know what happened with this?

[Author]

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