This is a review more for Pearson as a company and not this testing center itself. I had an exam scheduled and when I arrived, their computer system was down and they weren't able to start any new exams. I waited two hours (it was evening) and they weren't able to get the problem fixed before closing. I was given an 800 number to call in the morning. After an hour and a half on the phone with national center, it takes them a minimum 5 business days to change my status in the computer from a no show to cancelled (they have to investigate to prove I was not a no show). At that point I will be able to schedule my exam with an average 2 week wait again for an appointment. Like many people, I took time off my current job to study for my exam. I paid to rent the coding books I'm required to have during the exam. My hiring of my new job depends on passing certification. So canceling my exam and making me wait weeks to reschedule will cost me hundreds of dollars. But they don't offer any monetary compensation for their mistake. They act like they are doing me a favor that they aren't charging for the "retake"! I wish there was some other company to go through besides Pearson, but they essentially have a monopoly and don't seem to have any incentive to improve their company. I got the impression from their local staff at this office that the system goes down pretty regularly and trying to get ahold of the help desk to fix it is a joke. read more

I have been to this testing center three times to retake the same exam. The first time, the air conditioner was broken and it was completely unbearable to take my exam. I was profusely sweating and all I got was "sorry, there's nothing we can do." The second time I was there, it was still stuffy, but not as hot as my first visit. My third, and FINAL visit, I was rejected to take my exam because my ID says "M. Christine" and my registration says "Christine." So to them, I couldn't possibly the same person. Everyone I spoke to refused to allow me to take my test. Mind you, I've been here BEFORE and it wasn't an issue. So now I'm out $300 and they refuse to credit me. I offered to bring a birth certificate, blood test, etc. I wanted to take my test. But no, I was just dismissed with a feeble "sorry." Absolutely ridiculous! read more

I went here to take the CSET for my teachings credentials which was the only closest center for me. I got there 15 minutes before but I didn't take my test until about 30 after arriving. My test was at 10:30 and I didn't take my exam until about 11:05. The woman was really slow at signing me in. There were four people waiting but it looked like she took her time as if I wasn't there. I don't know why the woman was so slow and why didn't have another person in front desk. These people need to be more time efficient. read more

The staff here is great! Their vibrant personalities made waiting to take my exam stress free! I definitely need to give them major ups for that! I think it's a reason I passed my exam! read more

Don't like the paid parking. Staff is friendly. If they say you can bring a credit card as one of your forms of ID, make sure your credit card matches your ID (including the middle name). I liked how they provided the lockers for free. They are pretty strict here. You have to raise your hand before going to the bathroom, when you are done with your exam, need paper, etc. Overall, the testing site was not bad. Would also like to note that they don't allow you to study in the checkout area. read more

I had an excellent experience here. The lady that checked me in (shoot, forgot her name, I think it was Pamela?) was also my proctor. She was SO friendly and made me feel less nervous. There were 3 other people checking in and one of them was asking a million questions but she was kind and answered them patiently. They give you your own lockers to check in your bags, water, etc. Like it says on the website, you can't bring ANYTHING in the testing room-- no chapstick, tissue, cough drops, gum, NOTHING. I had to take off my bracelet and watch, pull my sleeves up to make sure I wasn't hiding anything. They have a rack for you to hang your sweaters if you get too hot but it was comfortable inside so I didn't even need one. In case you forget your water, they have a water cooler in the waiting room. Keys to the restrooms are on the counter so if you feel like throwing up from the nervousness, it's right there for ya (maybe that's just me). You need to turn off your phones and they seal it in a plastic bag so you can't open it until you're completely done with the test. Of course the picture ID you present has to match your name exactly. They also want to see something that shows your signature so your CA drivers license should be okay because it should have all those components. They provide earplugs and there are headphones in each area but still, you can hear other people if they talk normally so PLEASE be considerate and whisper when you're inside. Surprisingly someone didn't read the memo and was talking to the proctor in there like he owned the place... RUDE. When you're done, you have to turn in the locker key and have them open the seal to your phone. They check and make sure you didn't tamper with it or switch it out. It's crazy how strict it us but I don't blame 'em! Gotta make sure no one cheats! Overall a comfortable experience. Thanks to the workers for being so kind. FYI-- since you can't have non testers wait inside, just have them wait at the starbucks across the street. read more

Been here twice for testing. I passed my second time around :) First time I was very nervous and anxious and the TA (test assistant) talk so fast that if your not all ears you feel lost with all the procedures and rules;take photo so quick too, so be ready on the count of 3 LOL! Hassle free parking on Saturday. No parking fees. If you book your test for Saturday morning is better and Sat. afternoon they close their parking lot, not sure if because the building is under remodeling right now. So my tip is, be all ears and attentive and on Sat. after 4pm if you find the parking lot closed, their is a front door intercom that you can ask the Security guy for where to park. The rest is a breeze. read more

Very professional and this place runs an air tight operation... If you are going to take a National Exam for whatever career field this place runs a tight ship. The only knock I can see is probably the parking situation and my suggestion is to park at a public parking lot a block or so away because parking is only $5. There are actually public parking lot spread throughout Old Town Pasadena, so it shouldn't be so hard and the walk will beat the $13 you will have to shell out of your pocket if you chose to park this building's parking garage. read more

Everyone that worked here was super friendly and helpful. They went above and beyond to make the testing experience as easy as possible. I had no problem with the ID policy - I just showed them my driver's license and passport. I paid the $12.60 for parking in their parking garage, but it was worth it so that I didn't have to get stressed out looking for parking while already being worried about taking my test. read more

I would not recommend this center, Gardenia gets much better reviews I went on a Saturday and sat in the private room,not good the proctors were having on going personal conversations even after I complained three different times it still continued I would avoid this center like the plague your test is is to important to take a risk. My complaint was evaluated and reviewed by my testing authority and I was allowed to retake my exam at no charge and it will not be in pasadena read more

Testing itself is nerve racking but I was very pleased with my experience. The receptionists are amazing!! Just make sure to take cash for parking. read more

I just wanted to add that parking is cash only! I placed a call and asked the attendant 12/7/2016

Worse place to take the a test, Ricky S. told me he would not put me down as a no show for the nremt test. I just check the nremt website an it has me down as a no show. That's unfair and shady I was there 30 minutes before the start of the test. I was ready to take the test!!! I have to reapply and pay $72 again to take this test. These guys have no empathy. Endangering my career, wasting my time and money. I gave them my passport my driver license. All my cards with my name on it and he still doesn't think it was me and puts me down as a no show. There's no direct number to the office, there is no way to contact anyone that works in the room. If the staff give you a number it will be to an automated voice track. Parking is expensive. They also have a built in phone jammer, you can't make calls in or out. Nor receive texts. Parking is $13 read more

5th Floor Parking around $13. 4 stars for parking. My test already cost me money! The place is great. People are nice, concise, and not confusing. Nothing to complain about. read more

Well organized. Staff polite. My seat was close to door. Could hear it open and close. When wearing earmuffs and ear plugs was finally able to block noise. read more

I am reviewing for daughter who went there for a test today and it was just fine. Smooth sailing all the way. Pearson is a five star review; the one star removed is for the parking attendant who walked over and asked what she was there for. She said the testing at Pearson and he said park on 5th level and go in to the 8th floor. That will be $12.60. She asked if she could just pay per hour and he said "no." SO, she was there for just one hour taking her test and could have paid $4 for parking. Me thinks the attendant is pocketing some of this parking fee. I know others on this review site have mentioned the parking situation so I just thought I'd add my two cents. read more

The initial email I sent to Pearson Vue concerning my test issue: "On November 8th I took the GMAT at the Pasadena Pearson Vue Professional Center at 1:45 pm. While taking the test, I and a few others endured two very loud employees. During the first portion of the exam, the Integrated Reasoning to be exact, two employees began to converse behind the glass windows. The test takers were given headphones (used for tests that used sound; therefore, these were not noise cancelling headphones as they tried to sell them as), as an attempt to muffle out the noise, to no avail. I could not focus during the whole first section; test takers are videotaped so I'm sure one may look up the videos showing my agitation for evidence. After practically guessing a majority of the questions in this section, due to an inability to concentrate and hear my own thoughts over the sounds coming from the employees outside of the room, I raised my hand in protest. One of the employees came into the room and I made him aware of his and the other employee's disturbance; he apologized. I understand the employees need to speak to one another but the rooms we are tested in are nowhere near sound proofed; therefore, employees need to be more sensitive to our needs or create better testing accommodations. These tests are expensive and huge determinants of our future; to have them compromised is inexcusable. Thanks to the lack of consideration from the employees and the testing facility's lack of noise proofing I missed 11 out of 12 questions in the Integrated Reasoning section; I got 1 answer right. In the end my score was devastatingly affected due to such a low outcome in the before mentioned portion. I would appreciate a solution to be ratified; perhaps grant me all of the answers in the Integrated Reasoning, unjustly missed due to a noise disturbance, or allow me to retake the test, free of charge, in a quite environment, and without affecting either scores or the value of my tests (schools take note as to how many times you take the GMAT). I feel if these employees hadn't disturbed me so early on I would've performed quite differently on the GMAT. My confidence was shot after finishing the Integrated Reasoning section; I knew I'd failed after picking one incorrect choice after the other; I was running out of time and had to choose. So much time was wasted re-reading questions over and over in an attempt to comprehend through the racket occurring just outside the window. This issue I've incurred, as well as the other test takers, deserves to be acknowledged and resolved." The following issues that transpired post-email: I contacted the company the day of through email; they directed me to their customer service line. After discussing my issue with the nice lady in India I was sent an email, from Pearson Vue, suggesting I was a liar, because they supposedly spoke to the employees at the center I took my test and they said I never complained about any such disturbance, that I was given headphones and ear plugs that were noise cancelling but didn't use them, they suggested I refer to the rule book since I didn't follow them considering I didn't "complain the moment it occurred" (which I did and which is on tape), and therefore decided to close my case. I responded to their libel filled email by suggesting they refer to the video, they saved of me taking the test on the day of my exam, to see how frustrated I was at the disturbance that occurred, to try the "noise cancelling headphones" for themselves to truly see they are not what they attempt to label them as (if they were then they wouldn't allow any noise in and they would cost about $200 each; I doubt Pearson would pay such a price), to see that the reason I didn't put the earplugs in my ear is because I don't put things in my ears and because they were torn up (as if used), and to check out the rule book themselves, because I followed all the rules they suggested but it was them who did not follow the rules, considering I was promised a quiet professional environment to take my test in and that promise was not fulfilled. Once they received my email they reopened my case only to later return their reopening letter with an even more disturbing notion, that it is still my fault I failed to perform decently on the integrated section, that I should've taken advantage of the earplugs, that noise is uncontrollable coming from the employees that work at Pearson Vue (even though promised otherwise), and that if I wished to take the test again I'd have to pay but at a discounted price and if I wished for a quiet environment to take my test in that I apply for the next test as a disabled person so I may obtain said "quiet environment" necessary for my mentality (is the assumption I need a quiet environment because I might be disabled legal?). I don't know about you but I know a lot of people, whom aren't "disabled" whom need a quiet environment to make important decisions. read more

I was here in mid May to take an exam. The staff was friendly and very energetic, this starting off already made me feel comfortable. Then one of the proctors -Paul- was very friendly and made me feel very comfortable before, during, and after my exam. The place was clean, air conditioner worked properly, which made the experience work all in my favor. Thank you to the employees for approaching me in a way that made me feel comfortable and less nervous. read more

Total incompetence. My colleagues and I signed up for one site and Pearson changed the test center site to an hour away and provided no notification of this change. When we called to point this out, various supervisors tried to explain to us that the confirmation email did state that the site was moving to Brooklyn, which is simply, by three different accounts, not the case. Pearson was unable to provide any alternative closer location or alternative date. Test literally costs $2300 and yet Pearson does not provide accurate location of where their test center is located. read more

Pearson Vue is where I took my re-certification exam. I sat at position 8. There was a constant, bumping, rumbling vibration type noise that was ongoing from beginning to end. Apparently the noise was generated from the opening and closing of the bathroom doors located adjacent to the wall where I sat at position 8. Even with using heavy duty over the head ear phones the noise and vibration was still very distracting. However the staff who works there were very friendly and professional. If you are planning on testing there and really need to be focused I would recommend that you ask for special accommodations. If nothing else ask not to be seating along the wall that separates your position from the hallway where the restrooms are accessed. GOOD LUCK!! read more

Staff was very friendly and helpful to me however, very rude to my husband. Some broad got snippy because he needed to use the restroom but because he wasn't a test taker he wasn't allowed to use their restroom. Although, I've never understood not letting someone use a restroom, (I guess they'd rather have pee on the floor in the event of an emergency) the least they could do is direct them to another nearby toilet. The security guard was kind enough to talk to this women and she did manage a half sincere apology. read more

No complaints! They run a very professional testing center. FYI - parking for motorcycles across the street from the center is the same price as for a car. I'll happily go back there for my other exams! read more

Took the NCLEX here today at 8am. Like everyone has said yes parking in the building is $13, however the Common's parking lot about two blocks away is a bit cheaper as it only cost me $8 for about 2 and a half hours of being parked here which isn't bad considering how expensive some parking can be in the Pasadena area. The testing center is located on the 8th floor and is very easy to find. I arrived close to half an hour early and was 5th in line. The check in process was easy and went fast and smoothly. Everyone was as nice as could be which was great considering how stressful these tests could be. The testing room itself, I have no complaints about; it was quiet and a nice temperature and I felt like I was able to focus in on my test and perform to my best ability. I hope this is the last of these tests I have to take, but if I have to take another national exam I would definitely come back to this location. read more