Exam Session Revoked During Pre‑Exam Phase – Request for Review and Retake Eligibility

Question

Hello Microsoft Certification Support Team,

I am writing to request a review of my Microsoft certification exam session that was revoked by the Pearson VUE proctor during the pre‑exam phase.

Exam details:

• Exam name: AB-730
• Date & time: March 18 4:45pm IST
• Delivery method: Pearson VUE OnVUE (online proctored)
• Pearson VUE order / registration ID: 530992760
• Case ID : 36320144 ( created by OnVUE)

Explanation of the incident: During the check‑in / pre‑exam phase, before any exam questions were displayed, I briefly left the webcam view. The action was unintentional, occurred prior to the start of the exam content, and I returned immediately. I fully understand now that once check‑in begins, continuous camera presence is required.

There was no access to exam questions or content, and no intent to violate exam rules. The session was revoked immediately by the proctor.

Request: I respectfully request:

1. A formal review of the session and revocation reason
2. Confirmation that this incident is treated as a procedural/environmental issue, not misconduct
3. Guidance on my eligibility for a retake or reschedule, including whether a complimentary retake can be granted

I value Microsoft’s certification program and fully commit to complying with all exam policies in future attempts.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I appreciate your guidance on the next steps.

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Mod moved from : Microsoft Partner Center

Answer 1

Contact Pearson Vue support https://home.pearsonvue.com/microsoft/contact and follow up the case that you have

Answer 2

You are told explicitly that you are now under exam condition and warned not to leave the webcam view and then you select Next. If you did leave the view then you will have breached the exam rules and your exam would be revoked.

Answer 3

Based on the documented policies, proctors are required to revoke or cancel an exam session if candidate conduct appears to violate the Candidate Rules Agreement or online testing requirements, including camera‑view requirements during an online exam. When this occurs, the incident is reported to Microsoft for review, and the exam may be invalidated and, in serious cases, can lead to decertification or a ban from the program.

For online exams, candidates must:

• Remain in view of the camera at all times during the exam session unless an unscheduled break is properly initiated through the exam UI.
• Avoid any behavior that could appear suspicious to the proctor; if such behavior is observed, the proctor will warn the candidate and may revoke/cancel the exam if it continues.

Key points from the policies relevant to this situation:

1. Proctor authority and revocation
   • Proctors are authorized to terminate an exam and report infractions if they believe the Candidate Rules Agreement has been broken or if behavior appears suspicious.
   • This applies to online exams, where the proctor monitors via webcam and audio.
   • Once reported, Microsoft determines whether the exam is invalidated and whether any further action (such as decertification or a ban) is warranted.
2. Camera and room‑view requirements for online exams
   • During an online exam, the candidate must stay in view of the camera at all times.
   • If unauthorized individuals enter the room, or if the candidate leaves the camera view without an approved accommodation or properly initiated break, the exam can be cancelled or revoked.
3. Breaks and timing
   • Unscheduled breaks are allowed on most exams, but they must be initiated through the exam UI.
   • The exam clock continues to run during breaks, and once a break is launched, previously viewed questions cannot be revisited.
   • Accessing unauthorized materials during a break leads to exam revocation.
4. How to pursue review and next steps
   • Formal review of exam revocations, questions of misconduct, and retake eligibility is handled through Microsoft Certification support and Pearson VUE, not through policy documents alone.
   • For issues with exam sessions, revocations, or name/identity problems, the documented path is to contact Certification Support or Pearson VUE support using the official support channels.

Given these policies, the appropriate next steps are:

1. Use the Credentials Support channel to request a review of the revoked session and to ask how the incident has been classified (procedural vs. misconduct) and what impact it has on retake eligibility:
   • Start from the Credentials Support entry point described in the exam policies: Credentials Support.
2. If needed, also contact Pearson VUE support (since the revocation occurred during an OnVUE session) to confirm the case details and ensure the incident report has been correctly logged and forwarded to Microsoft.
3. In the support request, include:
   • Exam name, date/time, delivery method, and Pearson VUE order/registration ID.
   • The OnVUE case ID.
   • A concise description that the revocation occurred during pre‑exam check‑in, before any questions were shown, and that there was no access to exam content.
4. Ask explicitly:
   • For confirmation of how the incident is categorized (procedural/environmental vs. misconduct).
   • Whether the exam fee is forfeited or whether a complimentary retake or reschedule is available in this case.
   • Whether there is any impact on eligibility for future Microsoft certification exams.

Eligibility for complimentary retakes or reschedules, and the classification of the incident, are determined case‑by‑case by Microsoft and Pearson VUE based on the proctor’s report and internal review; these outcomes are not specified in the public policy documents and must be confirmed directly via support.

For future attempts, ensure:

• Continuous presence in camera view from the start of check‑in through the end of the exam, unless an on‑screen break is explicitly initiated.
• No one else (other than a child under 13 or an approved accommodation such as a reader/scribe or personal care attendant) is present in the room.
• No reading of questions aloud or other behaviors that could appear suspicious to the proctor, unless covered by an approved accommodation.

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References:

• About online exams with Pearson VUE
• Exam duration and exam experience
• Exam and assessment lab security policy
• Exam policies and FAQs
• Frequently asked questions about exam accommodations
• An Important Update on Microsoft Training and Certification
• Credentials Support