MCPD Certification

You will just have to study a lot of new IT certification candidates convey dissatisfaction at the fact that, for numerous programs, they can register to take their exams by using either Pearson VUE or Thomson Prometric. However, what is the difference between these two IT certification exam registrars, this post will give you the relevant facts and a personal opinion as to which is better.

With reference to IT certification registration and delivery, there exist two chief providers:

1. Pearson Virtual University Enterprises (VUE): http://pearsonvue.com
2. Thomson Prometric: http://www.prometric.com

There is no dissimilarity between VUE and Prometric centers at all. Some vendors have selected a designated exam provider, while others co-exist in both exam providers. At present, VUE is the exclusive exam provider for Cisco, Oracle, Citrix, American College, and VMWare. At present, Prometric is the exclusive exam provider for Microsoft, Apple, IBM, and Nortel. Some vendors who use both VUE and Prometric as exam providers are CompTIA, Adobe, Novell, and EXIN.

Exams are developed by the vendors as a result there are no differences in the exams for vendors who co-exist across both testing providers.

However, you have the liberty to decide a testing provider on an exam-by-exam basis provided that the exam vendor is not exclusive with one testing provider. Taking a certification exam at one testing provider does not force you to take other exams with that identical provider.

They both give the same versions of the tests. There is no difference. It just depends on which testing centers are in your area. If they are both in your area, then it does not subject.

However, I would recommend once you pick one testing center for Microsoft, you should stick with them, since you have got MCP account setup. I have heard stories of people taking one test with VUE, and another with Prometric and end up having two MCP IDs with one test taken in each, instead on just one MCP ID with two tests taken.

You can register to take your exam by either calling or visiting the VUE or Prometric Web site. Testing centers are affiliated with VUE, Prometric, or both.

Now it’s time for my opinion. In my 9 years of working in IT, I have been affiliated with a significant number of training centers/IT certification exam providers. Therefore, I have seen how Prometric and VUE work from both the test-taker’s point of view as well as from the exam administrator’s point of view.

Almost without exception, I have had far better fortune dealing with VUE instead of I have with Prometric. As far as the reliability of their exam engine is concern, VUE has it all over Prometric, in my opinion. The only differences you will find is the quality of chairs, computers, desks, lighting, cooling, etc. The test pool is the same.

One inconvenience I have experienced with taking IT certification exams with both Prometric and VUE is that you have to keep up two separate profiles. Therefore, keeping your exam history organized can occasionally become difficult. I found VUE is a lot easier to register.

A voucher is simply a way of paying for your exam. It’s a number that has an expiration date and is redeemable for one exam at a testing center. Our exam vouchers are sold at discount prices, which means that you are paying much less than the full cost of the exam when you pay with a voucher.

Prometric and VUE are two exam companies and both have testing centers worldwide. Some organizations’ exams, such as Cisco and Microsoft, are delivered only by Prometric or only by VUE. Other exams are delivered by both Prometric and VUE. The exams themselves are exactly the same, regardless of which testing company delivers them.

New customers may order vouchers through our online store or by phone. Return customers have the option of participating in our Voucher Order Direct (VOD) program. To place a VOD order, simply send an email requesting the voucher and quantity that you desire and we will bill you through your most recent payment method. Please be sure to include “VOD” in the email subject line.

Exam vouchers will be processed and shipped within 1 business day or less. Usually, vouchers are emailed to you within a few minutes of ordering during regular business hours. For online orders, you will receive an immediate email message confirming that we have received your order.

Yes, exam vouchers are only sent to the purchaser and are not assigned to any one person. You can give a voucher to your students or employees so that they can take their exams. You have no need for expense reports because you make one payment to us.