Prometric administrates exams for the Microsoft certifications, such as the MCSE or MCDST certifications.
I am seeking my MCSE while working full time. I have to take a day off of work to take the exams because the center closes at 5:00 and the exams are 2-3 hours long. This means that if I go to take an exam I have to pay:
$125 exam fee
$ 25 gas and parking
$150 in lost wages
So taking an exam costs about $300. These are costs I accept because it is my choice to take the exam.
HOWEVER, twice now the test has crashed and I was forced to reschedule the exam and retake it — DESPITE the computer saying I had passed BOTH TIMES, according to them, the scores never came through. They said they were sorry to hear about the problem and would be more than happy to reschedule the exam with no charge.
The problem is that it is their responsibility to ensure this doesn't happen. Since the test crashed, not only am I out that days work and my time, I have to take ANOTHER day off to take care of something I already did. I could forgive the first time as a fluke, but this is twice now!!!
Prometric didn't even agree easily to honor the terms of my original voucher. Microsoft had a special going where if you took an exam and failed it, you'd get a free retest. If you passed the exam on the first try, you'd get 25% off the next one. PROMETRIC TRIED TO WEASEL OUT OF EVEN HONORING THESE TERMS!!!
The way I see it, Prometric owes me $350 for lost time, gas, and mileage on the two days where I had to retake tests when they screwed up. I asked them to provide me with two free vouchers to make up for it, and the jerk on the phone laughed and basically said that I had a choice, take the exams and get certified or don't take them and good luck convincing employers I'm qualified.
Microsoft gave Prometric an exclusive contract for their exams, so there is absolutely no alternative.
I'm going to look into a small claims suit, but I'm guessing that might be a waste of time.
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