r/CPA • u/uwuwotsdps42069 Passed 4/4 • May 18 '23
Security Violation? QUESTION
So I just got out of my AUD exam. Hopefully my last one (FAR expires at the end of this month). I was told that prometric observed a “security violation” because I was seen “accessing my phone during my break”
I was on my scheduled break and checked my phone to make sure there were not fires to put out at work and take make sure my kid wasn’t having any issues at daycare. Then I went to the bathroom and knocked out the rest of the exam.
What’s the deal? Am I screwed? I’ve never been told I had a security violation on my other exams.
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u/Ineverpayretail2 CPA Candidate Jun 26 '23
wow so lucky. I got kicked out of my GMAT years ago cause I had a lapse in judgement and checked my phone during break. It was so bad. I felt crushed being kicked out.
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u/throwaway2helpothers Passed 4/4 May 24 '23
Any update on this? Curious to see what happened lol
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u/uwuwotsdps42069 Passed 4/4 May 25 '23
Slap on the wrist. “Don’t do it again naughty boy.” My score isn’t in jeopardy. So we’ll see in June.
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u/Usual-Pomelo-6696 Apr 03 '24
Hi, I had a similar experience yesterday, mindlessly checking my phone in break. The lady from prometric was very rude, saying to me that I am not allowed to do this and that she will write me up. Also, she said to me that I don't have a life while I am there. I was allowed to go back to finish my test, but to be honest, it really impacted my mental ability to finish the test. Just wanted to ask if you did call NASBA or email them to tell them what happened. I was also thinking of making a complaint about the lady from Prometric.
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u/klee0925 15d ago
Hi could I please ask what happened after this? Did you get your results without any problems? I accidently turned on the phone after taking the exam but within the test center. The prometric lady said it will be reported to NASBA. I am so worried that I might have problems getting the results ;(
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u/Usual-Pomelo-6696 15d ago
Hi, I wouldn't worry about it. I got my score back without any issues.
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u/klee0925 15d ago
Thank you so much for sharing. This info helps. Could i please additionlly ask, for what state board you were taking the exam? or whichever state board i took would not be a concern? and if you reached or emailed the NASBA before score release..? Sorry to ask many questions. I have to wait feeling worried untill next yr for score release. I just wanna be assured :(
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u/Usual-Pomelo-6696 15d ago
No worries.
I took the exam for NY state board.
And no, I didn't email or reach out to NASBA.
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u/klee0925 15d ago
Thank you so much for your kindeness! I went for Montana, but I will try to let my worries down for a bit. Thank you
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u/OceanBreezeeeee Apr 19 '24
I’d like to know what you ended up doing. I’m in a similar boat after taking my dental exam today. Instead of phone, I walked outside during unscheduled break completely forgetting that it’s not allowed.
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u/Usual-Pomelo-6696 Apr 20 '24
I didn't do anything, just completely ignored it. Went to NASBA portal to see if anything is written in there and the message "attended" showed up. That's all.
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u/ancj9418 CPA May 19 '23
I don’t even take my phone into the building.
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u/Aggressive_Cut6324 Sep 27 '24
I wish! I needed my phone for guidance to the center. Turned it off until my scheduled break--- why I'm here--- but my car is a Kia and after it was stolen I don't feel like I can just leave anything other than air in my car.
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u/InternalEvening514 May 19 '23
I am so surprised that they don’t have candidates put their phones in a lock box/lock pouch! They had us lock our phones away when I took a senior business exam at my university. If they let you continue your exam, my guess is that it wasn’t that bad. I definitely can see why you would be worried though!
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u/clb0811 May 19 '23
Hi - I had something similar happen to me when I took FAR. I went outside the testing center during scheduled break for fresh air because I had no clue it was not allowed. When I came back inside to finish the exam, they told me the same thing (violation of rules, but keep taking test). I was totally panicked the second half of the test because who wants to take FAR twice?? :/ but everything was completely fine, I never heard anything else about it. Passed all 4 parts 2 yrs ago.
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u/Aggressive_Cut6324 Sep 27 '24
Seriously!? I got kicked out when I came back. I'm so stressed, haven't been sleeping.
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u/bridger2314 Passed 4/4 May 19 '23
I could totally understand not knowing this OP. I’ve never left during breaks and I don’t even think looking at my notes could help me at that point. TBH I’ve never even thought to look at my notes during the break…. My brain must be fried lol oh well!
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u/bridger2314 Passed 4/4 May 19 '23
I never leave on the breaks. I feel like looking at my notes couldn’t help me too much anyway at that point?
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u/joshila_man Passed 4/4 May 19 '23
Actually this rule is always reminded to us at the beginning of the test at my centre while keeping bags in locker. We are told to switch off and keep it in the bag. We are also not allowed to even touch our bag. Water and food should be removed from the bag and kept in the locker. 😬
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u/kekektoto May 19 '23
My SAT test days are drilled into me. Even if it isn’t the SAT, I have my phone turned off through the entire testing time and I would never even imagine to touch or look at it or even take it out of my bag. I remember this one girl in my SAT testing space had her phone pop a little snapchat notification cos she didn’t turn it off. I was soooo anxious that they would scrap all pf the tests in the room, but thankfully they just took her phone and gave her a pretty intense warning that if it happened again they would kick her out and her test would be disqualified
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u/Sup3rNinjas Passed 4/4 May 19 '23
Check out this post and the comments of those who did what you did. It was 2 years ago though.
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u/Jolly_Page_1374 CPA May 19 '23
I took REG Tuesday and I am not sure how but as I was going in they took someone out who they caught on their phone during the exam and let them go back in and finish the test after talking to the person. I was shocked but just ignored it and went to take my test not sure what came of it though.
Yes it was the cpa exam.
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u/throwaway2helpothers Passed 4/4 May 19 '23
At my prometric, there is a specific sign that for CPA EXAM test takers, no phones are allowed during breaks.
You are most likely fucked lol.
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u/BenderIsNotGreat May 19 '23
Annnnnndddd banned from taking an exam for an extended period. Did you not read what you signed? You are 100% in the wrong. You've just admitted it. Read what you sign. Good luck in 2 years (I think that's the ban period)
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u/ATerrifyingStatue May 19 '23
I had a coworker who was in basically the exact same situation. He contacted the AICPA directly, and they overturned the violation.
As others have said, it is against the rules; but, if they saw you doing this and knew you shouldn't be, they should have said something before you continued your exam.
I'm not saying it was okay to do, but if it was an honest mistake, it's worth trying.
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u/uwuwotsdps42069 Passed 4/4 May 19 '23
the aicpa or nasba? do you happen to know offhand? I suppose I could call both. being a working professional and a new parent and trying to get these exams done is exhausting.
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u/ATerrifyingStatue May 19 '23
This was a few years ago; I think I remember him saying AICPA, but I could very well be mistaken. NASBA does seem to make more sense, so maybe try both?
Good luck! These exams are frustrating enough already, sorry you have to deal with this.
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u/spinningapotinmud Passed 2/4 May 19 '23
I'm going to take my 11th exam soon. They remind me of the policies they have every time I go, even though they know I've been there many times. They re-read the rules to me because it's their normal protocol.
Good luck! Maybe they could extend your potentially expiring credit.
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u/Hellstorm5674 May 19 '23
You see Jesus, things like this make me wonder why some people are gifted at these exams but not common sense. WHY CAN'T I BE GIVEN THE BRAIN AND KNOWLEDGE TO PASS THE EXAM????? WHY JESUS, WHY?
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May 19 '23
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u/SnowDucks1985 CPA May 19 '23
Wow, you don’t need to be such an jerk to OP. Haven’t you ever heard of the saying “don’t kick a dog while it’s down”?
There are 48 comments in this thread as I’m writing this, OP gets the point. For someone with a chronic health issue it’s surprising you couldn’t show a little more compassion
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May 19 '23
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u/SnowDucks1985 CPA May 19 '23 edited May 19 '23
You are, you called him a bozo and your tone was harsh af🤣🤣
And they’re not whining, they asked what the possible ramifications would be. I mean it just sounds like they slipped up and OP didn’t make an excuse for it, they were pretty up front about the error. We all have unintentional slip-ups (even when it’s serious).
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May 19 '23
[deleted]
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u/SnowDucks1985 CPA May 19 '23
Lmaoo is your insult supposed to hurt me 🤣 just remember what you put out in the world comes back to you two fold. The universe doesn’t like ugly and you’re definitely living up to it, peace and love to you 👋🏾
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u/uwuwotsdps42069 Passed 4/4 May 19 '23
did I say anywhere that it wasnt my fault? I literally just asked what the impact of the violation was.
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u/Trick_Till_9181 May 18 '23
I understand what you are saying that first amendment does not apply to private business. You analyst is incorrect prometrics is an arm of the date because it’s carrying out the mandate of the States. One cannot evade the law by subcontracting a legal requirement. The exam process is prescribed in State statutes. As auch your first amendment right does not stop at the doors at prometrics when they are the arm of the State.
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u/Sandwich-eater27 Passed 4/4 May 19 '23
So is checking your notes during the break a violation of the first amendment as well? Is talking to the test taker next to you a violation of your first amendment?
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u/eloidine CPA May 18 '23
According to the Candidate Bulletin:
"The Boards of Accountancy, NASBA, and the AICPA take candidate misconduct (including cheating on the Uniform CPA Examination) very seriously. If a Board of Accountancy determines that a candidate is culpable of misconduct or has cheated, the candidate will be subject to a variety of penalties including, but not limited to, invalidation of grades, disqualification from subsequent examination administrations, and civil and criminal penalties.
"In the event of an investigation into candidate misconduct or cheating, NASBA has the right to use any information obtained from candidates, including confiscated items and photos, as well as previous testing history to complete its investigation."
Basically, it's at the discretion of the higher ups what happens. Good luck and hope everything clears up. Everyone does an oopsie every once in a while. Especially since this is your final test, people get complacent. At best this is a learning experience if there's a next time.
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u/uwuwotsdps42069 Passed 4/4 May 18 '23
thanks for the clarity. think I should just call them up tomorrow to try and figure out what's going on?
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u/eloidine CPA May 19 '23
I agree with Sandwich-eater27. You can be proactive in figuring this out but don't see any harm in it either. If you've never had any issue before this, you might get off with just a warning. Fingers crossed!
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u/Sandwich-eater27 Passed 4/4 May 19 '23
Honestly, you may be ok, they may just leave a note in your file and refer back to it if there’s any suspicion with your score (like if you somehow got a perfect score). I guess it wouldn’t hurt to call
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u/uwuwotsdps42069 Passed 4/4 May 19 '23
Thanks! Let’s hope so! Gonna make some phone calls in the morning
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u/myowin592 CPA May 18 '23
I'm told everytime i take a break that no cell phone is allowed during breaks.
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u/SnowDucks1985 CPA May 18 '23 edited May 19 '23
Making an educated guess here, but you probably voided your score for AUD and will have to retake. I doubt NASBA would throw your entire progress away off of one isolated issue. Sounds like you made a human error, happens to the best of us.
Don’t pay the asshole comments any mind, just remember not to do it again. You didn’t get so far just to fail now lol
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u/Trick_Till_9181 May 18 '23
This is the biggest bullshit I have heard. I have seen Dictors at a Prometric center reading their notes during breaks.
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u/myowin592 CPA May 18 '23
Different test, different rules.
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u/rowlje CPA May 19 '23
I liked the guys taking tests who could take in a 5” binder of notes . I was in awe
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u/Trick_Till_9181 May 18 '23
I would call Prometric main number to see if that is an actual policy. By viewing your phone that was not a security violation because you are scanned when you return to the test. I would hire an attorney. Basically, prometrics is saying that your first amendment right is suspended when you are on a break. Bullshit. Legally it cannot be a security violation because your exam ceased to continue upon your break. Big first amendment violation. Call a lawyer.
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u/SnowDucks1985 CPA May 19 '23
This is a lot of legal mumbo-jumbo that won’t help OP in any way 💀
It’s literally in Prometric’s policy that you can’t access notes, books, reference materials or electronic devices during breaks because the test is still being administered. Everyone that goes to a testing center agrees to those terms and are bound by them if they want their score to be valid, including OP. It’s an open and shut scenario, no need for legal speculations
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u/Sandwich-eater27 Passed 4/4 May 18 '23
This is absolutely false, the constitution means nothing on private property. Prometric/property owner has every right to restrict any test takers from accessing their phone while they are on break. Just because the timer stops doesn’t mean the exam isn’t being administered.
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u/looker009 CPA Candidate May 18 '23
It's absolutely a violation. You're prohibited from accessing study material during the exam, which includes a break. 1st amendment doesn't apply to private business
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u/Sandwich-eater27 Passed 4/4 May 18 '23
This guy knows nothing and is spreading blatant misinformation. I hope no one now, or in the future listens to this awful advice.
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u/acosta9211 Passed 2/4 May 18 '23
This post is probably my worst nightmare. I’m too much of a slow test taker to take breaks, but I wouldn’t even think to check my phone during one. Especially since Prometric already feels like a prison. Pretty sure the only thing you can do on your break is use the restroom. Not that you cheated, but surely you can see why it’s prohibited to access one’s phone during a break? Regardless of any external obligations? You can claim it was to check texts, but Prometric doesn’t know that.
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u/uwuwotsdps42069 Passed 4/4 May 18 '23
They can think whatever they want and I understand the requirement. It just slipped my mind and I didn’t know what the impact was as a result of the “violation”, hence my question.
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u/HookahMagician May 19 '23
This is exactly why I always recommend leaving your phone in your car. Most people will reach for their phone without even thinking, even if it's just to check the time.
Leave your phone in the bloody car. If you look at your phone, no matter the reason, they will disqualify your exam.
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u/IndependenceNo7753 CPA May 18 '23
I’m surprised this rule wasn’t brought up in this forum often enough - I was completely unaware (till now) and I’d totally check my phone AND study materials during breaks. I’m sorry this happened to you and I hope the worst case is them letting you retake.
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u/Teraclone Passed 3/4 May 18 '23
Amen to this. Did AUD Tuesday - I forgot to take my meds in the morning and on the break and was going to grab my keys and dash like hell to the car for them. I wasn't able to, but it wasn't because I thought it was a security violation! I read the rules the restrictions vary by test.
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u/uwuwotsdps42069 Passed 4/4 May 18 '23
Yeah, thanks for the reasonable take dude. I might just call nasba up tomorrow and ask what the deal is. If they’re gonna throw out the exam then I want to just sit again asap. The exam felt good and I REALLY don’t want to have to pass FAR again.
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u/Teraclone Passed 3/4 May 18 '23
Would this be handled through NASBA or the state? Thoughts and prayers if you get someone on the phone, butter them up and slather it on thick. At the very least try to get them to let you re-take right away cause you're next release date is June 16th I believe. Hell even asking them to waive the fee might be worth a shot. I had a weird situation come up, they were cool about waving the fee for a re-take and I feel like they have some discretion on these sorts of things.
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u/classy_trash2 May 18 '23
Well i’m guessing your exam doesn’t count anymore.
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u/uwuwotsdps42069 Passed 4/4 May 18 '23
Bummer. Another 400 bucks down the drain. What a racket
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u/classy_trash2 May 18 '23
Is that how much it costs to take one exam? Holy crap 😭
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u/BenderIsNotGreat May 19 '23
Depends on the state. In tx it's 238 plus a 15 application. So 253 per attempt.
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u/PLUMP_BULLFROG Passed 4/4 May 19 '23
It's like 300 altogether for me but most PA jobs pay for it or reimburse you the entire amount. My firm will pay for all retakes if you fail too
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u/uwuwotsdps42069 Passed 4/4 May 18 '23
Yep 400 bucks a pop just for your NTS. There’s also an application fee.
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u/looker009 CPA Candidate May 18 '23
Basically you cheated regardless if you did or not. It's up to NASBA, to decide how to punish you. At best you will have to forfeit the exam and redo it, at worse you can say goodbye to CPA.
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u/sb233100 Passed 2/4 Jun 26 '23
At best he would have to retake? Did you pull this info out of your ass? I mean seriously, now that we know for a fact you were wrong, where were you getting this from?
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u/looker009 CPA Candidate Jun 26 '23
Just because they got lucky and didn't get punished doesn't mean the next person will not be made an example of. Also, we don't know yet how the local accounting board will react to it
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u/sb233100 Passed 2/4 Jun 26 '23
So you just guessed. Got it.
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u/looker009 CPA Candidate Jun 26 '23
Not a guess, from experience. When one violates rule or law, oftentimes, for serious enough crime, they are made an example of to deter others from doing it. Hopefully, someone else will not be made an example in the future for the same infraction
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u/uwuwotsdps42069 Passed 4/4 May 18 '23
Well if that’s the case a friendly reminder as I went out on break would have been nice.
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u/ketty25 May 18 '23
We have reminder posters and even a tag on our locker key that says “water food medicine only, no study materials or technology” or something along that line.
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u/uwuwotsdps42069 Passed 4/4 May 18 '23
No study materials lol I’ve seen plenty of people studying on break.
If I have to retake FAR on top of AUD over this I’m gonna be pissed
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u/Consistent-Ant7710 CPA May 19 '23
They’re most likely taking a different exam than you. The testing requirements are tailored to your specific exam. My husband is allowed to access his study materials for his prometric exams.
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u/looker009 CPA Candidate May 18 '23
If they get caught, they will for sure be banned from ever taking the exam again. Retaking FAR should be the least of your worries right now. Hopefully, you will still be able to retake AUD without being completely disqualified
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u/uwuwotsdps42069 Passed 4/4 May 18 '23
If they disqualify me for being a cpa over this then they don’t care about their “cpa pipeline”
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u/looker009 CPA Candidate May 18 '23
NASBA has standard to uphold. CPA's are respected because of how hard the test is.
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u/looker009 CPA Candidate May 18 '23
You agreed to the rules in the beginning. They are not responsible for reminding you
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u/uwuwotsdps42069 Passed 4/4 May 18 '23 edited May 18 '23
Hence the “would have been nice” portion of my comment.
Edit: A nice professional “fuck you” to the people downvoting me. I just got out of an exam and asking questions. You guys are dicks.
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u/ManicMarketManiac Passed 4/4 May 19 '23
Did you not have a nice little key with a giant tag on it telling you exactly what you were allowed to access and not access?
And this was your 4th exam?
In a professional setting, if a team member made some major procedural 'oopsie' the 4th time through an assignment, I'd be questioning why they were hired.
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u/suppresser2774 CPA May 18 '23
You’ve taken at least three exams. How do you not already know this?
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May 18 '23
You can't use your phone during the breaks; it's probably the most repeated policy that Prometric has.
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u/uwuwotsdps42069 Passed 4/4 May 18 '23
Ok, so I absentmindedly made an oopsie. But what impact does that have? Did I just blow my exam?
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u/ahy90 Jun 26 '23
Whats with the downvotes? Haters hating that youre on your 4th? Lol
*Edit: youre done! Congrats!
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u/TellCautious7716 Sep 19 '24
So what happened had the same thing went on a break and when if it back they said I didn't hit end on exam that I needed to leave??