1) I have had to reschedule a test for a while due to personal reasons. I meticulously set an alarm at least 30 business days ahead of time in order to avoid getting charged. Today I tried to reschedule (exactly 30 business days before the exam date) and was being charged $40.
I called NCARB and they told me it's "30 business days not including the exam date". Okay, so 31 business days then? The website states 30 business days.
2) While on the phone I explain my situation, having to reschedule many times (because you cannot cancel a test without losing the $235 exam fee) and I plan on taking it in the future.
I asked why the latest I was able to reschedule out was May 18th (today is April 7th). The person said they are switching testing systems from Prometric to something else, and any exam not taken before the switchover will lose the $235 exam fee, which "is not fair, but just how it is".
I told them that was stealing my money. I never saw an email warning us about this.
I am waiting for a call from NCARB to see what can be done. I plan on filing complaints anywhere I can. Let me know if you know of any resources, or specific organizations who might be able to help. (not just for me, but for NCARBs stealing practices in general).
lesson learned. Try not to attribute agenticity to justify your last minute changes. I’m sure there is some fine print somewhere that laid out all the details when you booked the first time.
"I called NCARB and they told me it's "30 business days not including the exam date". Okay, so 31 business days then? The website states 30 business days."
1. That sucks. NCARB isn't trying to steal from you though.
2. If you knew before 30 days that you'd need to reschedule then why set an alarm for exactly 30 days to reschedule?
3. NCARB's website does say "30 business days prior to exam date" I'd think a lecturer in architecture would have better reading comprehension.
4. The interns in our office saw the e-mail about NCARB switching testing systems and the testing restrictions. It still sucks though.
Probably. Or they could be to cover the cost of rescheduling. Just like if a client of ours changes their mind on a design schedule we're going to charge them an add service if it make more work for us.
They make money by putting butts in chairs. When you reschedule your exam, your butt (the one that was going to be filling that chair) is no longer making them money. They can fill your testing window with another butt, but the new butt's test window might not be able to completely fill your old butt's testing window exactly (i.e. a 4 hour exam window being filled with a 3.5 hour exam). The rescheduling fee is likely there to account for any loss of revenue from butts changing their minds.
Apr 8, 22 11:58 am ·
·
SneakyPete
I'd bet next year's salary the fee is punitive, not necessary. Fees are great for profit margins and CEO's bonuses.
I wouldn't straight up disagree with you on that. Perhaps we'd simply quibble over what you consider as "necessary" and what you think of as "punitive."
Is discouraging a client behavior that can cause a business to lose money punitive? It's not likely necessary in the sense that the world would stop spinning if they stopped charging the fee, but it might be necessary to maintain the business operating at a profit margin that investors and owners deem acceptable. Is it necessary for us to charge additional services when a client changes their mind about their schedule or design? Some may argue no as you should anticipate it ahead of time and charge accordingly, but others would definitely say it's necessary to recoup some of that cost with an add service for the firm to keep the lights on ... or keep the same profit margin ... or pay for bonuses that keeps people in a firm and not leaving to go somewhere else (CEO's included).
Apr 8, 22 12:55 pm ·
·
SneakyPete
When the "work" involved is an automated system releasing the seat to the system's database and relisting it on a website interface, the cost is bound within the general energy and software costs. An additional service for a building requires person-hours, so I don't think your analogy is as solid as it might seem on the surface. If a testing management company can't make a profit by providing a service to humans without punishing them for unforeseen circumstances (as if that fee will somehow cause Nana from dying inconsiderately) then I say fuck them. They are garbage best left on the refuse pile.
I'm guessing the amount of tests rescheduled due to unforeseen circumstances is actually a small fraction overall compared to the amount rescheduled because the candidate doesn't feel ready. But I do largely agree with your points. Again, I'm only in disagreement on minor details.
"7. Prepaid exam seats (seat credits) will roll over to PSI. If you have unused, unexpired exam seats that you purchased before the migration, you will be able to use those credits to schedule PSI appointments after the migration."
EA - the funny thing is it takes no more than five minutes to research this and learn that monosierra is talking out of his / her ass. I don't know why someone would make such a statement and not realize it's easy to verify.
I vaguely remember trying to move my CE exam a week out one time because I hadn't taken the time to start studying. But I called in the afternoon and they said their calendar changed at noon each day, so it was technically 3 days ahead of time at that point. I remember being really annoyed by the oddity of that. I ended up passing CE on a couple days worth of cramming & afterwards was thankful that I didn't waste the extra time studying. Saved myself a week and a half of studying.
Look, I'm not normally one to come to NCARB's defense on this forum, but have you considered your beef might actually be with Prometric and not with NCARB?
I don't know any of the details with the NCARB-Prometric agreement, but Prometric might be the source of the rescheduling fee timeline (I've noted similar windows (30 days prior, etc.) for rescheduling and associated fees with at least one other organization and Prometric), and they might also be the reason you'll lose the exam fee if you don't take it with Prometric before the switch to the new provider.
NCARB probably can't do anything to claw back the money you paid and likely is transferred to Prometric when you schedule the exam. Your issue would be Prometric's policy for refunds and cancelations. Note that this only applies to scheduled exams. Any unscheduled seat credits in your NCARB Record can be used toward exams at PSI after the migration. It's only the exams you've scheduled with Prometric that you can't transfer, cancel, or get a refund for. The money you paid that NCARB holds (unused seat credits) will still be good after the migration. The money Prometric holds (seat credits that have been scheduled with Prometric) won't come back to NCARB or to you after the migration.
NCARB has also been pretty clear about this for a while now. They've sent emails (see summary below), written blog posts, held webinars, etc. all to explain what is happening with this change over and you'll notice the fact that they cannot get you a refund for an unused appointment are all there (I haven't watched the webinar, but if it's not there I'd be surprised. Kudos to anyone that posts a timestamp).
You claim you never saw anything via email warning you of this. I find that hard to believe. Here's a list of the emails I've received from NCARB that have noted the no refund thing (and I'm not even a current testing candidate):
May 4, 2021: ARE Update: ARE Migration to PSI Update: "Remember, a scheduled appointment with Prometric cannot be canceled or refunded."
Oct 28, 2021: ARE Update: New Prometric Availability and Updated PSI Migration Timeline: "Keep in mind, you won't be able to move an existing appointment from Prometric's testing network to PSI's network, and any appointments scheduled with Prometric can't be canceled or refunded."
Mar 14, 2022: ARE Update: PSI Launch Date + Updated ARE Guidelines (bold carried over from source): "Prometric appointments can't be transferred to PSI. If you have an appointment scheduled with Prometric, you'll have to either take it with Prometric or forfeit the cost of that appointment. NCARB cannot move Prometric appointments to be taken with PSI or offer refunds for Prometric appointments."
Mar 29, 2022: 7 Things You Need to Know About the Migration to PSI (bold carried over from source): "Because PSI and Prometric operate through two separate appointment systems, we can't cancel your Prometric appointments, offer refunds for existing Prometric appointments, or move a Prometric appointment to PSI's system."
So in the end, I'd recommend rescheduling your exam before the deadline and spending your time studying and making sure you can keep the appointment rather than trying to file complaints against NCARB. The information you are missing was not hidden or unknown well before this became your issue.
Good luck on your exam.
Apr 8, 22 11:51 am ·
·
rcz1001
I have my own ARE exam with Prometric to take. (I know ARE consists of multiple exams) Therefore, I'll just have to take the exam and see how it goes. It's better to simply take the exam division and have a chance of passing the exam division (or fail) than to completely waste the money spent.
NCARB stealing money
1) I have had to reschedule a test for a while due to personal reasons. I meticulously set an alarm at least 30 business days ahead of time in order to avoid getting charged. Today I tried to reschedule (exactly 30 business days before the exam date) and was being charged $40.
I called NCARB and they told me it's "30 business days not including the exam date". Okay, so 31 business days then? The website states 30 business days.
2) While on the phone I explain my situation, having to reschedule many times (because you cannot cancel a test without losing the $235 exam fee) and I plan on taking it in the future.
I asked why the latest I was able to reschedule out was May 18th (today is April 7th). The person said they are switching testing systems from Prometric to something else, and any exam not taken before the switchover will lose the $235 exam fee, which "is not fair, but just how it is".
I told them that was stealing my money. I never saw an email warning us about this.
I am waiting for a call from NCARB to see what can be done. I plan on filing complaints anywhere I can. Let me know if you know of any resources, or specific organizations who might be able to help. (not just for me, but for NCARBs stealing practices in general).
lesson learned. Try not to attribute agenticity to justify your last minute changes. I’m sure there is some fine print somewhere that laid out all the details when you booked the first time.
jessicamcquillen wrote:
"I called NCARB and they told me it's "30 business days not including the exam date". Okay, so 31 business days then? The website states 30 business days."
1. That sucks. NCARB isn't trying to steal from you though.
2. If you knew before 30 days that you'd need to reschedule then why set an alarm for exactly 30 days to reschedule?
3. NCARB's website does say "30 business days prior to exam date" I'd think a lecturer in architecture would have better reading comprehension.
4. The interns in our office saw the e-mail about NCARB switching testing systems and the testing restrictions. It still sucks though.
2. If you knew before 30 days that you'd need to reschedule then why set an alarm for exactly 30 days to reschedule?
I have the same question. This seems like setting yourself up to get screwed.
So if granny kicks the bucket within 30 days of your exam date you are outta luck? What an organization!
Yeah - I think it's a sucky policy. It is clearly noted in the scheduling process though.
Like most fees, they're created for additional revenue, not for any good reason.
Probably. Or they could be to cover the cost of rescheduling. Just like if a client of ours changes their mind on a design schedule we're going to charge them an add service if it make more work for us.
They make money by putting butts in chairs. When you reschedule your exam, your butt (the one that was going to be filling that chair) is no longer making them money. They can fill your testing window with another butt, but the new butt's test window might not be able to completely fill your old butt's testing window exactly (i.e. a 4 hour exam window being filled with a 3.5 hour exam). The rescheduling fee is likely there to account for any loss of revenue from butts changing their minds.
I'd bet next year's salary the fee is punitive, not necessary. Fees are great for profit margins and CEO's bonuses.
I wouldn't straight up disagree with you on that. Perhaps we'd simply quibble over what you consider as "necessary" and what you think of as "punitive."
Is discouraging a client behavior that can cause a business to lose money punitive? It's not likely necessary in the sense that the world would stop spinning if they stopped charging the fee, but it might be necessary to maintain the business operating at a profit margin that investors and owners deem acceptable. Is it necessary for us to charge additional services when a client changes their mind about their schedule or design? Some may argue no as you should anticipate it ahead of time and charge accordingly, but others would definitely say it's necessary to recoup some of that cost with an add service for the firm to keep the lights on ... or keep the same profit margin ... or pay for bonuses that keeps people in a firm and not leaving to go somewhere else (CEO's included).
When the "work" involved is an automated system releasing the seat to the system's database and relisting it on a website interface, the cost is bound within the general energy and software costs. An additional service for a building requires person-hours, so I don't think your analogy is as solid as it might seem on the surface. If a testing management company can't make a profit by providing a service to humans without punishing them for unforeseen circumstances (as if that fee will somehow cause Nana from dying inconsiderately) then I say fuck them. They are garbage best left on the refuse pile.
I'm guessing the amount of tests rescheduled due to unforeseen circumstances is actually a small fraction overall compared to the amount rescheduled because the candidate doesn't feel ready. But I do largely agree with your points. Again, I'm only in disagreement on minor details.
Hello,
The same happened to me. They informed me:
Hello,
We apologize for the delayed response. NCARB will issue a replacement seat credit if you do not take your CE exam on 5/19.
If you do not take the exam, reply to this email after 5/20 and we will issue the credit.
Regards,
Will Cultice Specialist, Customer Relations
Hope this helps!
Their decision to swap test providers and force members to purchase new seat credits to take tests with the new provider is a new low.
NCARB did nothing of the sort you tool.
ding! ding! ding!
1 point awarded to Chad
"7. Prepaid exam seats (seat credits) will roll over to PSI. If you have unused, unexpired exam seats that you purchased before the migration, you will be able to use those credits to schedule PSI appointments after the migration."
https://www.ncarb.org/blog/top-seven-things-you-need-to-know-about-the-migration-to-psi
EA - the funny thing is it takes no more than five minutes to research this and learn that monosierra is talking out of his / her ass. I don't know why someone would make such a statement and not realize it's easy to verify.
I vaguely remember trying to move my CE exam a week out one time because I hadn't taken the time to start studying. But I called in the afternoon and they said their calendar changed at noon each day, so it was technically 3 days ahead of time at that point. I remember being really annoyed by the oddity of that. I ended up passing CE on a couple days worth of cramming & afterwards was thankful that I didn't waste the extra time studying. Saved myself a week and a half of studying.
Look, I'm not normally one to come to NCARB's defense on this forum, but have you considered your beef might actually be with Prometric and not with NCARB?
I don't know any of the details with the NCARB-Prometric agreement, but Prometric might be the source of the rescheduling fee timeline (I've noted similar windows (30 days prior, etc.) for rescheduling and associated fees with at least one other organization and Prometric), and they might also be the reason you'll lose the exam fee if you don't take it with Prometric before the switch to the new provider.
NCARB probably can't do anything to claw back the money you paid and likely is transferred to Prometric when you schedule the exam. Your issue would be Prometric's policy for refunds and cancelations. Note that this only applies to scheduled exams. Any unscheduled seat credits in your NCARB Record can be used toward exams at PSI after the migration. It's only the exams you've scheduled with Prometric that you can't transfer, cancel, or get a refund for. The money you paid that NCARB holds (unused seat credits) will still be good after the migration. The money Prometric holds (seat credits that have been scheduled with Prometric) won't come back to NCARB or to you after the migration.
NCARB has also been pretty clear about this for a while now. They've sent emails (see summary below), written blog posts, held webinars, etc. all to explain what is happening with this change over and you'll notice the fact that they cannot get you a refund for an unused appointment are all there (I haven't watched the webinar, but if it's not there I'd be surprised. Kudos to anyone that posts a timestamp).
You claim you never saw anything via email warning you of this. I find that hard to believe. Here's a list of the emails I've received from NCARB that have noted the no refund thing (and I'm not even a current testing candidate):
So in the end, I'd recommend rescheduling your exam before the deadline and spending your time studying and making sure you can keep the appointment rather than trying to file complaints against NCARB. The information you are missing was not hidden or unknown well before this became your issue.
Good luck on your exam.
I have my own ARE exam with Prometric to take. (I know ARE consists of multiple exams) Therefore, I'll just have to take the exam and see how it goes. It's better to simply take the exam division and have a chance of passing the exam division (or fail) than to completely waste the money spent.
Some wise words there Rick. Good luck on the exam. Which one are you taking?
"Practice Management" division.
Good luck
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