PCEP: Testing Policies

Registration and scheduling

OpenEDG Python Institute Test Candidates can register and take the PCEP exam online via the OpenEDG Testing Service Platform available at https://edube.org.

OpenEDG Python Institute PCEP exam sessions do not need to be scheduled in advance, and test candidates can register for and take exams on the same day.

Test Candidate account

Prior to taking an exam, the candidate is required to create a User (Test Candidate) Account at https://edube.org/registration. The candidate must provide their personal information and address, set up a secure password, and read and accept the Terms of Service.

Create Test Candidate Account

Test Candidate account set-up process (approx. 5 minutes):

Go to https://edube.org/registration
Fill out and submit the registration form
Activate the account by clicking an activation link sent to the email address provided in the registration form. The activation link remains valid for 7 days.
Sign in to the account at https://edube.org/login

Please note that once your account has been set up, you will no longer be able to edit some of the information associated with your profile (i.e., your name, email address, and date of birth), so please make sure all the details you provide in the registration form are correct. Requests for changes in personal details can be submitted by contacting OpenEDG Customer Service through your OpenEDG User Account Inbox.

Exam registration

Taking any exam requires that the test candidate have an exam voucher. Test Candidates may purchase exam vouchers at OpenEDG Voucher Store and assign them to their OpenEDG accounts.

Purchase exam vouchers

To purchase an exam voucher, the test candidate should go to https://ums.edube.org/store, add the voucher to the cart, and place an order.

During the process the client will be requested to provide billing information (invoice details and the email address where the invoice should be sent), shipping information (email address where the voucher should be sent) and read and accept the Voucher Policies. In the final stage of the order placement process, the client will be requested to make payment (PayPal/Credit card, or Wire Transfer based on a Pro Forma Invoice issued).

Candidates may pay for exams by all major credit cards (i.e., Visa, MasterCard, American Express), Debit Cards or via PayPal account.

The voucher purchased remains valid for at least 90 days from the date of purchase. The voucher must be used before its date of expiry.

Assign vouchers to account

Test candidates who already have an exam voucher can assign it to their User Account before taking the exam. The exam vouchers assigned are displayed on the OpenEDG User Account and may be used to launch exams via OpenEDG Testing Service.

Take exam

After logging in at https://edube.org/login, test candidates can launch exam sessions by:

clicking Take Exam (if the test candidate has an exam voucher and wishes to begin their exam session immediately) or by
clicking Launch Exam next to the voucher assigned to the OpenEDG User Account (if the voucher has been assigned to the account.)

Admission Policy

Non-Proctored Exams

Test Candidates who wish to take a non-proctored exam do not need a proctor authorization, which means their exam session begins immediately with no supervision after they enter the voucher code and proceed to the exam session on their User Account.

Candidates who have an exam voucher should sign in to their User Account at https://edube.org/login and enter the voucher code. Then they will be asked to read and accept the Non-Disclosure Agreement and OpenEDG Testing Service Terms and Conditions, and begin the exam session.

Proctored Exams

Test Candidates who wish to take a proctored exam need a proctor authorization to begin the exam session. Candidates can take proctored exams at OpenEDG Testing Service facilities (i.e., schools and universities that are members of the OpenEDG Authorized Academy Program and/or OpenEDG Testing Service Partners).

Proctored exams must be held in a secure testing environment (physical test center, quiet testing room, testing station which complies with recommended hardware/software, proctor invigilation during exam session, etc.).

A designated proctor must verify the candidate’s identity and exam information, and approve the launch of the exam session. During the exam, the proctor will supervise the session and report any improper conduct or examination process violation to the exam sponsor.

We ask that you arrive at the testing center 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time so that you have time to complete the necessary sign-in procedures.

Please be prepared to show at least one form of personal identification, e.g., a valid, government-issued picture ID. Expired IDs are not valid. Failure to provide the required ID will result in you being denied entry to the examination. Your exam Proctor will verify your identity and launch your exam session.

You can provide the following forms of ID: State/Country ID card; Government-issued driver’s license; Passport; Military ID; Employee/school ID, Social Security card; Credit/Debit Card; Bank/ATM card; Library card.

Non-Disclosure Agreement

Test Candidates must read and accept the Non-Disclosure Agreement, which takes effect immediately after launching the exam session. Test Candidates agree to treat examination materials as confidential, take no copy of the test or notes that contain the content of the exam, specifically the exam questions and answers used during the session, and comply with the Testing Policies throughout and after the exam session.

Refusal to accept the Non-Disclosure Agreement will result in termination of the exam session – the voucher status will be changed to used, and the exam fee will be forfeited.

Technical Requirements

OpenEDG Testing Service can be accessed online through any up-to-date Internet browser. The equipment and technical requirements necessary to launch an exam session are:

a desktop computer or a laptop (recommended: a desktop computer with a mouse/pointing device and keyboard)
minimum RAM: 1 GB or more;
minimum processor: 1.0 GHz or more;
the most recent version of Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Safari, Opera (preferred: Google Chrome)
JavaScript enabled in your browser (mandatory requirement)
a fast and stable Internet connection (recommended Internet download speed: 1.0 Mbps or higher; recommended Internet upload speed: 0.5 Mbps or higher)
a color monitor, minimum screen resolution: 640 by 480 pixels (recommended: 1024 by 768 pixels)
Windows 7/8/10 OS, MacOS X 10.0x or newer, Linux OS;
disable automatic software or system updates (e.g., Windows updates should be turned off or set to not occur during the exam session), notifications (e.g., new email notifications), pop-up windows, and applications that can disturb or disrupt the exam session;
whitelist the domains “*.edube.org” and “*.openedg.org”
full access through ports 80 (http), 443 (https), and http redirects permitted.

Reschedule Policy

If you wish to reschedule your proctored exam, you must contact the OpenEDG Testing Service Provider/facility you will take your test at not less than 24 hours prior to your exam appointment.

Non-Proctored exams do not need to be rescheduled. As long as you have not redeemed your exam voucher, you can take your exam in a later time. Please make sure the voucher code has not expired.

Cancellation Policy

If you wish to cancel your proctored exam, you must contact the OpenEDG Testing Service Provider/facility you will take your test at not less than 24 hours prior to your exam appointment.

Accommodation of disabilities

Python Institute will endeavor to accommodate any special requirements. Candidates must submit their accommodations requests to Python Institute who will then notify them about the decision. All special conditions must be approved before the exam appointment. Accommodations may include:

25% time extension,
50% time extension,
100% time extension,

No automatic time extension is given to candidates who reside in a country where the first language is not English, or candidates whose first language is other than English.

To submit your request for special exam conditions, please fill out and send the form available here.

Retake policy

When a candidate fails an exam, he or she must wait 7 days before being allowed to re-sit that exam (paid option). There is no limit to the number of retakes of a failed exam.

Testing Environment and Exam Session Security

Test Candidates should take exams in a quiet, well-lighted area, which is free from noise and distraction. The following Code of Honor and rules for taking the exam must be respected throughout and after the exam session:

the test candidate must work entirely alone on the test, and all the solutions submitted must be their own work;
the test candidate must not share their solutions or any information about the exam contents with anyone;
the test candidate must not use a false identity or take the test in somebody else’s name;
the test candidate must not engage in any unfair activities that may dishonestly improve their results or influence somebody else’s results.

Prohibited behaviors during and after the exam session

The Test Candidate declares they will not participate in any cheating incident, breach of security, or any other behavior that may be considered a compromise of the integrity or confidentiality of the exam. Prohibited behaviors include (and are not limited to):

copying, publishing, selling, offering to sell, distributing in any way, or otherwise transferring, modifying, making derivative works of, reverse engineering, decompiling, disassembling, or translating any exam or any part of the exam content;
disseminating the actual exam content by any means (e.g., web postings or reconstruction through memorization)
using a falsified identity, or providing falsified information or documentation; solicitation of a third party to take a test on the test candidate’s behalf;
using falsified or modified certificates/score reports to misrepresent the actual certification status;
seeking or obtaining unauthorized access to examination materials before, during, and after the exam session; using brain dump materials or any unauthorized publication of exam items;
using or accessing notes, study materials, didactic aids, or any other examination aids during the exam session;
exiting the exam session Full Screen mode;
exiting the exam session interface;
opening new tabs or pages, clicking/moving the mouse pointer anywhere outside the exam session interface;
using more than one monitor/screen during the exam session;
causing intentional Internet connection drops;
causing a disturbance of any kind in a testing facility (proctored exams)
making notes of any kind;
using any recording devices during exam;
tampering with the operation of the testing facility equipment (proctored exams) or attempting to hack the OpenEDG Testing Service system;
violating the Exam Policy or Exam Retake Policy;
otherwise violating the Exam Terms and Conditions or NDA.

Penalties

Test Candidates who have been found violating the Testing Policy may be subject to penalties, which include:

immediate termination of the exam session;
a lifetime ban on all future exams,
the nullification of all previous certifications,
reporting misconduct to other exam sponsors and providers of other certification programs,
reporting misconduct to third-party testing service providers (e.g., Pearson VUE).

Age requirements

children under 13 are not allowed to test or receive certification even with parental consent;
minors between 13 and 17 years of age are allowed to take tests and if passed, receive certification (with parental or legal guardian consent)
test candidates who are 18 years or older are eligible for certification without any age-related restrictions;
OpenEDG reserves the right to impose additional restrictions to comply with local data protection laws.

Additional Information for Test Candidates

Please note that no automatic time extension is given to candidates who reside in a country where the first language is not English, or to candidates whose first language is not English.
Your proctored exam length may include time for non-scored sections such as a tutorial. The appointment length does not necessarily reflect the total amount of time allotted for the actual exam.
After you finish your exam, a score report (pass/fail and breakdown) will become available in your User Account in the Exam History Successful candidates will receive their online certifications/credentials via email; these will also be available in the User Account.
When a candidate fails or passes an exam, he or she must usually wait 7 days before being allowed to re-sit that exam. There is no limit to the number of retakes of a failed exam. See Testing Policies for specific exams to learn more.
OpenEDG will endeavor to accommodate any special requirements. Candidates must submit their accommodations requests to Python Institute who will then notify them about the decision. All special conditions must be approved before the exam appointment. To submit your request for special exam conditions, please contact services@openedg.org.

Last revised: April 14, 2021