Frequently Asked Questions

1. Read the exam-specific policies and TestNow specifications to make sure you follow the code of conduct, meet all the technical requirements, and know what to expect during your exam session.
2. Create a Test Candidate account if you haven't already done so. (Download a PDF Tutorial)
3. Go to the OpenEDG Voucher Store and buy an exam voucher. You can choose between a single-shot voucher, voucher with retake, and voucher + practice test bundle.
4. Log in to your test candidate account, enter the voucher code, perform a diagnostics check, check in, and launch your exam session. (Download a PDF Tutorial)

To schedule an exam, please go to www.pearsonvue.com/pythoninstitute, sign in to your Pearson VUE web account, and follow the simple registration process described in this tutorial (PDF).

For help with creating your Pearson VUE web account, please consult this tutorial (PDF).

If you're looking to take the exam via OnVUE Online Proctoring from Pearson VUE, please read the Pearson VUE Guide to Taking Your Exam Online to ensure that you follow all the technical requirements, and familiarize yourself with the testing policies.

TestNow™:

Global exams are available on an on-demand ("test now") basis and do not require prior booking or scheduling. If you are taking your exam through a school or organization, please contact your instructor or program coordinator for specific information regarding scheduling and procedures.

Pearson VUE / OnVUE:

Sign in to your Pearson VUE account, then click the exam name listed under your scheduled date. You’ll be redirected to the Exam Appointment Details page, where you can click Reschedule or Cancel to change or cancel your appointment.

Please note that exams can only be rescheduled or canceled no later than 24 hours before your appointment time. After this period, changes are not allowed, and exam fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Please refer to the exam-specific retake policies for the required waiting period before attempting a failed exam again.

TestNow™ exams:

If you purchased a voucher that includes a free retake, sign in to your OpenEDG Web Profile (Test Candidate account), go to the Exam History section, and click the Get Free Retake button once it becomes active. Your retake voucher will be assigned to your account automatically and will appear in the Certify section.

If you purchased a single-shot voucher and did not pass the exam, you will need to purchase a new voucher before taking the exam again.

Pearson VUE / OnVUE exams:

If you purchased a voucher with a retake option, please submit the Pearson VUE Retake Voucher Request Form within the valid timeframe. A new voucher will be issued for your retake.

If you purchased a single-shot voucher and did not pass the exam, you must purchase a new voucher before scheduling another attempt.

Here are some of the most frequently occuring voucher issues we've observed:

• The voucher has expired. (The exam must be taken before the voucher expiry date.)
• Voucher codes are alphanumeric sequences – please make sure there's no typo in the voucher code you're entering in the Redeem Voucher field. Pay special attention to characters that look similar, such as the letter "O" (oh) and the digit zero, or the upper-case letter "I" and the lower-case letter "l".
• Please ensure that you're entering the voucher code, and not the invoice or order number.
• TestNow™ – If you see the message "This voucher code can be used to schedule an exam at Pearson VUE", it means that your voucher is not a TestNow™ voucher. You must use it to schedule and take your exam through Pearson VUE, not TestNow™.
• Pearson VUE / OnVUE – If you try to enter a TestNow™ voucher in the Pearson VUE system, you will only see an "Invalid Voucher Code" message. This happens because TestNow™ vouchers cannot be redeemed in Pearson VUE. They must be assigned in the Certify tab of your OpenEDG Web Profile (switch your account role to Test Candidate).

If you require special arrangements or testing accommodations, please submit your request using the official Accommodations Request Form.

All accommodation requests must be reviewed and approved before you schedule your exam appointment. Accommodations cannot be added or applied after an exam has been booked or completed.

Once your request is approved, you will receive instructions on how to schedule your exam with the approved accommodations in place.

No. Refunds cannot be issued once an exam has been taken.

Discount vouchers must be applied before you register and pay for your exam. This means:

1. You receive or already have your voucher.
2. You enter the voucher code during the Pearson VUE registration and checkout process.
3. Your exam fee is reduced at the time of purchase.

If the exam has already been completed, the payment cannot be adjusted retroactively, and the voucher cannot be used to obtain a partial refund.

No, exam vouchers cannot be redeemed for cash or any form of monetary refund. Vouchers can only be used as payment during exam registration and have no cash value.

Unfortunately, no. Voucher expiration dates cannot be extended. All vouchers must be used before their listed expiration date, and expired vouchers cannot be reinstated or replaced.

All available language versions are listed on each exam’s dedicated information page. Please review the exam-specific page to see which languages are supported for the exam you plan to take.

The exam language is selected when you launch the exam. Once the exam has been launched, the language cannot be changed, including after an exam reactivation.

If no alternative languages are selected at launch, the exam will automatically run in the default language: English.

1. Start by reviewing the topic areas covered by the exam you want to take – familiarize yourself with the exam syllabus ( PCEP, PCAP, PCPP1, PCED, PCAD, PCET, PCAT, PCES, PCEA).
2. When you know the exam scope, its objectives, and the topic areas, choose a study option that works best for you. You can choose from among the official Python Institute study resources, Cisco Networking Academy, our Resource Partners' study materials (e.g. The Open University), and training courses delivered online and offline by our worldwide network of OpenEDG Education Partners.
3. Use official Python Institute practice tests ( PCEP, PCAP, PCED, PCAD) to get a better idea of the exam format, test your exam readiness, and gain more confidence in your skills and knowledge.
4. Familiarize yourself with the testing policies and make sure that you follow all the technical requirements and the Code of Honor. Schedule and take your exam online from home, or another comfortable location, or in person at a time and location convenient for you. (TestNow™, OnVUE Online Proctoring, Pearson VUE Testing Centers) Become Python Institute certified!

Congratulations! You've officially joined the Python Institute certified community, and earned an industry credential that validates your proficiency in Python, computer programming, and related technologies. Within 24 hours of your exam, you will receive an email with a link to your digital certification, verification code, and a badge issued by Credly's Acclaim. You can now share your awesome achievement with your peers, colleagues, and employers via LinkedIn and other social media channels.

What next? Keep on learning, keep on mastering your Python skills, and keep on climbing the certification ladder. Sign up for the more advanced courses and prepare yourself for the higher-level certifications to boost your career.

The courses are sponsored by the OpenEDG Python Institute, an educational initiative created and operated by the Open Education and Development Group (OpenEDG). Its mission is to enhance, support, and develop professional careers in Python programming and related technologies.

The Python Institute provides courseware at no cost to all institutions participating in the OpenEDG Education Partner Program and the Cisco Networking Academy® program, for both Instructor-Led Training and Self-Paced Training. The courses are also available free of charge to schools, colleges, universities, non-profit organizations, and individual learners worldwide.

Yes. All core courses are available free of charge to learners. You can access the full learning content without any subscription or payment.

Some optional learning materials — such as quizzes, labs, hands-on exercises, practice tests, or other premium resources — may be offered in paid premium versions. These enhancements are entirely optional and can be purchased if you wish to extend your learning experience.

The Diploma of Course Completion is a paid optional document. It is available when you purchase the premium version of the course and provides an official record confirming that you have completed the course when you do so.

No. Premium materials are not required to take the exam. Even the core, free learning materials are optional – you can take any exam without completing the courses at all.

Premium resources such as quizzes, labs, hands-on exercises, and practice tests are designed to enhance your learning experience but are not mandatory for exam eligibility.

If you're taking a global exam through TestNow™, please contact our Support Team using the Support Form: pythoninstitute.org/contact.

If you're taking your exam through Pearson VUE / OnVUE, please contact Pearson VUE Support directly. They will assist you with any technical or exam-session issues related to your appointment.

If you're taking a locally administered exam at your school or organization, please report the issue to your instructor or program coordinator, who will guide you through the next steps.

Our Support Team usually responds within 24 business hours. However, during weekends, holidays, or high-volume periods, a response may take up to 72 hours or more.

Please also check your spam or junk folders, as support messages may occasionally be filtered there.

If you still haven’t received a reply after this time, you may submit your request again through our Support Form: pythoninstitute.org/contact, or call us directly using the contact number listed on the page.

If you haven't received your exam voucher, invoice, or order confirmation, please check your spam or junk folders, as automated emails may sometimes be filtered.

If the message is not there, please contact our Support Team using the Support Form: pythoninstitute.org/contact.

To help us locate your order quickly, please include your billing name, the email address used during purchase, and—if you have it—your order number.