Exam Rules - BEWARE!

[Mitch Garvis]

In the Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) Forums recently a trainer too us through the saga of his breaking the exam rules and being blocked from testing for a period of time (possibly two years). While this specific case was about Microsoft exams, I feel it is important that we all know the importance of following the exam rules... especially when we are taking Remote-Proctored exams instead of going into an testing centre.

I wrote this article about the incident: https://garvis.ca/2026/06/29/exam-rules/

Folks, the rules are clear, and when you register you will be told what they are. Whether this is your first or your hundredth exam, take the time to review the rules and make sure you can abide by them. For instance (a big one, and in this case the reason behind the issue): Touch screens are forbidden. Your proctor will see second monitors and make sure you disconnect them, but they will not see that your screen is a touch screen. That is on you to know.

I am happy that I have never been accused of breaking the rules... but I confess, when I heard about this incident I went back and reread the rules to be sure I did not accidentally do so. I have not taken a CompTIA exam since, but will do the same... every single time.

 

[Gregory Childers]

I used to post similar posts on Reddit. I got tired of getting downvoted and insulted. All newbies want to do is cut corners and cheat. I finally deleted my Reddit account.

 

[Mitch Garvis]

I used to post similar posts on Reddit. I got tired of getting downvoted and insulted. All newbies want to do is cut corners and cheat. I finally deleted my Reddit account.

The gentleman in question is a 20-year MCT... he's not a newbie. I agree with you though!

 

[DougBrooks]

In the Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) Forums recently a trainer too us through the saga of his breaking the exam rules and being blocked from testing for a period of time (possibly two years). While this specific case was about Microsoft exams, I feel it is important that we all know the importance of following the exam rules... especially when we are taking Remote-Proctored exams instead of going into an testing centre.

I wrote this article about the incident: https://garvis.ca/2026/06/29/exam-rules/

Folks, the rules are clear, and when you register you will be told what they are. Whether this is your first or your hundredth exam, take the time to review the rules and make sure you can abide by them. For instance (a big one, and in this case the reason behind the issue): Touch screens are forbidden. Your proctor will see second monitors and make sure you disconnect them, but they will not see that your screen is a touch screen. That is on you to know.

I am happy that I have never been accused of breaking the rules... but I confess, when I heard about this incident I went back and reread the rules to be sure I did not accidentally do so. I have not taken a CompTIA exam since, but will do the same... every single time.

Just read the article, it's a very well written reminder.

I remember the last exam I took from home, I had to unplug 3 of my 4 monitors before I could sit it, that's a royal faff, but it's something we know we need to do

 

[Mitch Garvis]

Just read the article, it's a very well written reminder.

I remember the last exam I took from home, I had to unplug 3 of my 4 monitors before I could sit it, that's a royal faff, but it's something we know we need to do

I have written several articles on the online proctored exams, including a couple that have photographic evidence of the impossibility of sitting the exam from my actual workstation (https://garvis.ca/2021/04/14/the-exam-room-welcome-home/ shows my desk when I was living in California, https://garvis.ca/2025/06/17/online-certification-exams-are-they-worth-it/ shows my desk when I was living in Canada). Those of us who have lots of tech and even worse lots of clutter need to either change our way of living, or else find a different way to take our exams from home; I chose the latter!

 

[James Turner]

Testing on a laptop without a touchscreen is going to get harder as time goes on. Seems like that is more the norm now. I guess I will start testing at a center when my old laptop finally dies.

Jim

 

[Michael Schmitz]

In the Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) Forums recently a trainer too us through the saga of his breaking the exam rules and being blocked from testing for a period of time (possibly two years). While this specific case was about Microsoft exams, I feel it is important that we all know the importance of following the exam rules... especially when we are taking Remote-Proctored exams instead of going into an testing centre.

I wrote this article about the incident: https://garvis.ca/2026/06/29/exam-rules/

Folks, the rules are clear, and when you register you will be told what they are. Whether this is your first or your hundredth exam, take the time to review the rules and make sure you can abide by them. For instance (a big one, and in this case the reason behind the issue): Touch screens are forbidden. Your proctor will see second monitors and make sure you disconnect them, but they will not see that your screen is a touch screen. That is on you to know.

I am happy that I have never been accused of breaking the rules... but I confess, when I heard about this incident I went back and reread the rules to be sure I did not accidentally do so. I have not taken a CompTIA exam since, but will do the same... every single time.

I looked for this MCT Post:
He was banned for 6 Months initially, before the Appeal. What his Problem was, is not mentioned.
If he violated again after the 6 Months, he would be banned for 2 Years.

that is the reason, i like to use Testcenter, and not testing from Home..

 

[Mitch Garvis]

I looked for this MCT Post:
He was banned for 6 Months initially, before the Appeal. What his Problem was, is not mentioned.
If he violated again after the 6 Months, he would be banned for 2 Years.

that is the reason, i like to use Testcenter, and not testing from Home..

The original post did state what the problem was. He may have deleted it. He used a touch screen.

 

[Gregory Childers]

Testing on a laptop without a touchscreen is going to get harder as time goes on. Seems like that is more the norm now. I guess I will start testing at a center when my old laptop finally dies.

Jim

Why do you say that? Laptops are predominantly built without touchscreen technology and testing centers don't allow the use of smartphones or tablets.

 

[Mitch Garvis]

Why do you say that? Laptops are predominantly built without touchscreen technology and testing centers don't allow the use of smartphones or tablets.

I think the main issue is that he USED the touch screen. The issue, as I recall, was that his mouse stopped working in the middle of his exam, so he used the touch screen. I am going to make a note to ask Pearson Vue if that is a thing... can we use a screen that has touch if we do not actually touch it.