OT – New Prometric Calculator Policy

  • Creator
    Topic
  • #202064
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I’ve been reading these rumors about the actual calculator provided at Prometric Center. Personally, I’d rather have a separate calculator with me instead of using it from a desktop computer or cellphone. It’s easier, faster, and more reliable.

    Today, I called Prometric Lexington, KY and the proctor on duty confirmed with me the recent change of the calculator policy. They are directed to provide a calculator only upon a CPA candidate’s request. I called another Prometric Center here in KY (New Lagrange Road) to see if this new guideline is being followed uniformly. The proctor whom I talked to at the second Prometric Center had no idea what I was asking about. All she knew was that the calculator could not be provided, and that CPA candidates should use a calculator from the computer. I told the proctor the new directive that’s being followed in the nearby testing center. She asked me to hold a minute to verify my query. From there, she realized that there’s indeed a new calculator policy that was officially in place effective April 27th.

Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 15 total)
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  • #777123
    A
    Participant

    On April 18th I was simply offered a basic 4 function calculator (I didn't request one) at a Colorado Prometric site. I asked about it and they said it was a recent change in protocol. I was taking AUD so it wasn't especially helpful, but it would be nice to have for FAR and REG. They also mentioned the change in policy about wearing/removing a jacket.

    B A R F

    B - 77 (2.27.16)
    A - 81 (4.18.16)
    R -
    F -

    Roger Review + Ninja MCQs

    #777124
    AccountantPinkHair
    Participant

    I just tested on Sunday in Texas (Bedford) Prometric and they didn't say or offer a separate calculator. But they did tell me they recently changed their policy regarding light jackets. They are now allowing them to be hung on the back of chairs, before if you wore one in you had to wear it the whole time in the testing center.

    BEC 60, 71, 71, 73, 81
    AUD 72, 81
    REG 60, 78
    FAR 71, 78

    Licensed CPA in Texas

    AUD - 72, 81
    FAR - 71, 78
    REG - 60, 78
    BEC - 60, 71, 71

    IF I FALL, I WILL GET BACK UP. IF I AM BEATEN, I WILL RETURN.

    #777125
    Anonymous
    Participant

    I took the BEC exam on May 11th in Georgia, asked for a calculator, and they provided an extremely small and basic one. However, I knew they would because I called the day before due to the back and forth about calculators on this forum. I needed to know for sure going into the exam. The idea of using the one on the computer made me cringe….I don't do well with it. I move slower and find myself getting more frustrated because I can't feel it LOL

    Do NOT quit! There's more in you and if you quit you'll never see it. Show you that you can do it.

    AUD Passed  78
    BEC Passed  79
    FAR Passed  77
    REG Passed 76

    I'm tired of operating in fear and mediocrity. It's time to try. It's time to do. It's time to go.

    #777126
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    @Kgreen37, which is more user-friendly? The small calculator or the one from the computer screen?

    Glad to hear about the new light jacket policy.

    #777127
    Nessie
    Participant

    My friend wrote AUD yesterday in CT and was refused a calculator.

    AUD - 80
    BEC - 84
    FAR - 80
    REG - 88
    Using Becker Self-Study, Final Review and NINJA MCQs
    Sat for BEC Dec 6th, 2016 !!!! 84!!!!!

    REG Aug 20/15: 88
    AUD: Feb 29/16: 80
    FAR: Jun 10/16: 80
    BEC?

    Becker self-study, Becker Final Review & NINJA MCQS

    #777128
    monikernc
    Participant

    I complained in my post exam survey about the online calculator for BEC. I got an email a few weeks later from AICPA that a handheld will be provided upon request. I have to call my prometric today to make sure they have one for me on monday. the thought of taking reg without one is dreadful. i will use online only when i need tape.

    AUD - 93
    BEC - 82
    FAR - 76
    REG - 88
    How have you been?
    Ninja book and MCQs and the forum, all first try! 2016
    Licensed State of Montana April Fool’s Day 2020
    State of Colorado June 2020 - AICPA Ethics 93
    Experience was the worst part of the journey for me. You?
    If you want things to change you have to do something different.

    FAR 7/25/15 76!
    AUD 10/30/15 93
    BEC 2/27/16 82
    REG 5/23/16 88!
    Ninja Book and MCQ and the forum - all the way!!!
    and a little thing i like to call, time and effort!
    if you want things to change, you have to do something different

    #777129
    cpa007
    Participant

    Hi, took BEC on 17 may. I ask for the calculator and they provided to me at the center. I must say, it made my calculations easier.

    Hope and determination will lead to success.
    #777130
    mckan514w
    Participant

    I sat for FAR in late April in DC- I requested a handheld calculator and the guy checking me in went over asked someone, came back and told me that I was not allowed one… right after he finished checking me in and was about to let me into the testing room the person he had asked about the calculator came over and said that they had been wrong and I could have a handheld one and gave it to me. Best part about the whole experience 🙂

    And they ask me why I drink

    BEC 71, 82
    AUD 75
    REG 75
    FAR 61, 69, 83

    and they ask me why I drink...

    FAR- 61-next time I'll ask for lube instead of a calculator
    REG-75- Never been so happy to see such a low grade
    BEC- 8/11
    AUD- 9/2

    #777131
    jlp0369
    Participant

    I sat for FAR in February of 2016 and REG in April and was offered a handheld calculator both times. This was in Florida.

    FAR: 87
    REG: 90
    BEC: 74(ouch), retake 7/16/16
    AUD: 96

    #777132
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Let’s say, after doing our homework (i.e., calling Prometric Center prior to our test day to check if handheld calculators are indeed provided upon request), we go in and ask the proctor. What if they come back to us to say? “We apologize for any convenience, but we just ran short of them today. We only have 20 calculators and they are all currently being used.”

    Now what?

    (If I could only grab the proctor, kick, and knee his gut, I would. Then, I’d whisper in his ear:
    Calculators are 100x cheaper than the hundreds of $35-reschedule fees you suckers take away from CPA candidates!).
    Jokingly yours!

    #777133
    Trele6
    Participant

    Why does everyone not like the computer version of the calculator versus a handheld one? Do you not know how to 10-key? I find the computer version much more preferable versus a flimsy handheld one that will move around.

    B - 80 Jun16
    A - 74 Aug16, 77 Oct16
    R - 87 Nov15
    F - 79 Apr16
    Ethics - 98 Nov16
    Licensed in New Mexico Dec16

    First go at the CPA! Only using Becker
    Reg / Nov 2015 - 87
    Far / Apr 2016 - 79
    Bec / May 2016 - 80
    Aud / Aug 2016

    #777134
    Nessie
    Participant

    I've always advised people to bring their own in case they run out.

    AUD - 80
    BEC - 84
    FAR - 80
    REG - 88
    Using Becker Self-Study, Final Review and NINJA MCQs
    Sat for BEC Dec 6th, 2016 !!!! 84!!!!!

    REG Aug 20/15: 88
    AUD: Feb 29/16: 80
    FAR: Jun 10/16: 80
    BEC?

    Becker self-study, Becker Final Review & NINJA MCQS

    #777135
    ecg19
    Participant

    jlp0369 – which Florida center did you test at?

    It kind of sucks that all of the centers could have a different policy on this. I thought the whole point of prometric was that everyone was in the exact same situation when testing.

    Military spouse living in Germany

    REG 1/13/2016 - 82
    AUD 1/15/2016 - 82
    FAR 5/24/2016 - 80
    BEC 5/27/2016 - 85

    CA PETH 6/19/2016- 86 BOO
    CA PETH 6/21/2016- 90 AND NOW I AM DONE!

    #777136
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I posted before that the prometric center proctor got uppity with me when I asked for a calculator. I shoud have mentioned it in the comments after the test. They need to get their policies straight.

    #777137
    monikernc
    Participant

    i called my testing center to confirm this today. the guy confirmed that a new customer practice had been issued and calculators will be provided to those who ask. he said they have tons of them

    AUD - 93
    BEC - 82
    FAR - 76
    REG - 88
    How have you been?
    Ninja book and MCQs and the forum, all first try! 2016
    Licensed State of Montana April Fool’s Day 2020
    State of Colorado June 2020 - AICPA Ethics 93
    Experience was the worst part of the journey for me. You?
    If you want things to change you have to do something different.

    FAR 7/25/15 76!
    AUD 10/30/15 93
    BEC 2/27/16 82
    REG 5/23/16 88!
    Ninja Book and MCQ and the forum - all the way!!!
    and a little thing i like to call, time and effort!
    if you want things to change, you have to do something different

Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 15 total)
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