Testing Policies

The following testing policies apply to this test:

Computer-Based Testing

Online Proctoring

Rules of Test Participation for the Foundations of Reading Test

By registering for the Foundations of Reading test, you are agreeing to abide by these Rules of Test Participation and all rules, requirements, and policies specified or referenced on the current program website and communicated to you, orally and/or in writing, at each test administration for which you have registered.

A nondisclosure agreement will be presented to you on the computer at the beginning of your test session. It will ask you to indicate your agreement to the conditions set forth on the current program website, including the Rules of Test Participation for the Foundations of Reading test and the rules communicated to you orally or in writing at the test administration. You will be asked to read and accept the terms of this nondisclosure agreement within the time indicated on the computer screen. If you do not respond within the time specified, or if you indicate that you do not accept the terms of the agreement, your test session will terminate, you will not be permitted to test, and you will receive no refund or credit of any kind.

  1. Compliance: I understand that if I fail to comply with the rules, requirements, and policies specified or referenced on the current program website, including these Rules of Test Participation, and communicated to me, orally and/or in writing, at the test administration, or if I take any prohibited actions, my test results may be voided, no refund will be issued, no portion of the testing fee can be applied toward the cost of any future testing fees, I may not be permitted to register for current or future test administrations, my registration may be canceled, I may not be allowed to test, I may be required to test under controlled conditions, and legal proceedings and actions may be pursued as well as any other remedies deemed appropriate by the Evaluation Systems group of Pearson, a business of NCS Pearson, Inc. (Evaluation Systems), and/or the educator certification agency in any state in which I am pursuing certification with this test (referred to below as the "State Agency"). In addition, I understand that test fraud is a ground for denial, revocation, and/or suspension of a teaching or services certificate, credential, permit, or license.
  2. Policies: I have read and agree to the information and policies presented on the current program website, including, but not limited to, Payment Policy, Withdrawal/Refund Policy, ID Policy, and Late Arrival Policy.
  3. Purpose of Testing: I certify that I am pursuing a teaching or services certificate, credential, permit, or license and am taking the test for which I am registering for the purpose of educator licensure; or, I am taking the test to satisfy testing requirements for my institution.
  4. Test Administration: I authorize the test administrators (including online greeters and proctors) to serve as my agents in maintaining a secure test administration. I agree to follow all reasonable instructions given to me either orally or in writing at or during the test administration. I agree not to communicate with any unauthorized persons in any way during the test session nor to engage in any other form of misconduct. I agree not to engage in behavior that would disrupt or unfairly affect the performance of myself. I agree to cooperate with testing personnel. If I fail to comply with these provisions, my test session may be terminated, my scores may be voided without refund or credit of any kind, and other actions, as described in Rule 1, may be taken.
  5. Test Security:
    1. Test Property: I understand that all test materials and any portion thereof or information relating thereto (referred to below as the "Test Materials") are the sole property of Evaluation Systems. I understand that my responses, without the identification of my name, may be used for research, development and implementation of testing programs, scorer training or study materials, or other purposes associated with the program. I understand and acknowledge that the Test Materials were developed at great cost and are required to be kept confidential and secure from disclosure in order to fairly and effectively perform the test functions for which they were designed. I have not received or reviewed any Test Materials prior to taking the test and no Test Materials will be available for me to review after the test. I am not permitted to take (and I will not take) any Test Materials or handwritten or printed notes (referred to below as "Notes") reflecting or recording anything about the Test Materials or disassemble, copy, or reproduce the Test Materials in whole or in part, by hand or with the use of any electronic, or other type of, device of any nature including, but not limited to, photographs or screenshots.
    2. Test Materials: I understand that I will not be permitted to have in the testing room or to use during the test: Notes, electronic communication devices, visual or audio recording or listening devices or any device with an on/off option, scratch paper, unauthorized calculators, or any other unauthorized aid (collectively referred to below as "Unauthorized Aids"). Throughout the test session, I will have nothing at my workstation but authorized materials approved by the test administrator.

      I understand and agree that if, despite my foregoing promises and agreements in Rule 5a and 5B above, test administrators have a reasonable suspicion that I may be in possession of Test Materials, my testing session may be immediately terminated. Further, if I fail to comply with these conditions, my name will be reported to Evaluation Systems and, if applicable, the State Agency; my score(s) may be voided without refund or credit of any kind; and other actions, as described in Rule 1, may be taken.

  6. Nondisclosure of Test Materials: Because of the great cost expended to develop the Test Materials, because of the obvious necessity that they be kept confidential and secure from disclosure in order to fairly and effectively perform the test functions for which they were designed, and because any disclosure of part or all of the contents of the Test Materials to anyone might render them unusable for future test administrations, I promise and agree that I will not disclose the Test Materials or any part of them (including the form, subject matter, substance, and wording of any test question or any answer thereto) to anyone for a period of ten (10) years from the date of the test administration to which such Test Materials pertain. I understand and agree that if I should violate this agreement of nondisclosure, I may be liable in damages for costs (including redevelopment costs) incurred as a result of any breach of this agreement, and I may also be subject to other legal and equitable remedies (including injunctive relief) for any such breach.
  7. Test Score Reporting: I understand that my test score(s) will be reported to me; to the State Agency, if applicable, as authorized by me during registration; to the institution(s) I indicate during registration, if any; and to any institution, entity, or person authorized or required by law to receive this information. I understand that Pearson will score all test results received, which may be incomplete due to technical issues during the test session. My test score(s) will be reported even if I leave the testing room before I finish the test. I understand that any information provided as part of registration may be used to report scores or to contact me regarding test- or program-related issues.
  8. Voided Score: I understand that if I fail to comply with the rules and requirements set forth on the current program website, including these Rules of Test Participation, and communicated to me, orally and/or in writing, at the test administration, or if doubts are raised about the validity or legitimacy of my registration or my score(s), Evaluation Systems will notify the State Agency and other parties as deemed appropriate. Evaluation Systems reserves the right to void my test score(s) if, in the opinion of Evaluation Systems individually, or, if applicable, together with the State Agency, there is adequate reason to question validity or legitimacy of the score(s) due to circumstances within or beyond my control. Other actions, as described in Rule 1, may be taken.
  9. Rights and Obligations Regarding Test Administration: I understand and agree that liability for test administration activities, including but not limited to the adequacy or accuracy of Test Materials, the adequacy or accuracy of the registration and administration processes or conditions, the adequacy or accuracy of score reports, the adequacy or accuracy of scoring, the adequacy or accuracy of information provided to me in connection with the Foundations of Reading test, and the adequacy of protection of examinee information, will be limited to score correction, test retake, or a rescheduled test appointment. I waive any and all rights to all other claims, specifically including but not limited to claims for negligence arising out of any acts or omissions of Evaluation Systems (including the employees, agents, contractors, or professional advisors of Evaluation Systems).
  10. Program Changes: I understand that the testing program is subject to change at the sole discretion of either Evaluation Systems or, if applicable, the State Agency.
  11. Objection to Procedures: If, for any reason, I object to the procedures presented in these Rules of Test Participation, I must advise Evaluation Systems, in writing, of the basis of my objection at least eight (8) weeks before the test date for which I wish to register for my objection to be taken under consideration. Under no circumstances may I register if I have such an objection. If I nevertheless object, my registration may be canceled, I may not be permitted to take the test(s), or my score(s) may be voided, unless I withdraw my objection in writing.
  12. Rules: I understand that should any of these rules or any other requirement or provision specified on the current program website be declared or determined by any court to be illegal or invalid, the remaining rules, requirements, and provisions will not be affected and the illegal or invalid rule, requirement, or provision shall not be deemed a part of the current program website. The headings of each of the Rules of Test Participation are for convenient reference only. They are not a part of the rules themselves; they do not necessarily reflect the entire subject matter of each rule; and they are not intended to be used for the purpose of modifying, interpreting, or construing any of these Rules of Test Participation. I agree that any legal action arising in connection with my registration for or participation in a test administration shall be brought in the state and federal courts governing St. Paul, Minnesota, and I consent to the personal jurisdiction of such courts.

You must provide one piece of current, government-issued identification printed in English, in the name in which you registered, bearing your photograph and signature. Your ID must be in the name in which you registered. If your name does not match your ID (e.g., due to a marriage or name change) your ID will not be accepted and you will not be allowed to test. Transitional documentation that may verify the discrepancy, such as a marriage certificate or court order, will not be accepted on the day of the test.

Acceptable forms of identification include the following:

  • Driver's license with photograph and signature
  • Passport with photograph and signature
  • State identification with photograph and signature (provided by the Department of Motor Vehicles for individuals who do not have a driver's license)
  • Alien Registration Card (green card, permanent resident visa)

For test-takers under 18 years of age, a parent or guardian must present their own ID during check-in and give consent for the test-taker to be recorded. If they have one, the test-taker must also present a government-issued ID. If they do not, a student ID will suffice.

A government-issued ID missing a visible signature or that has an embedded signature must be supplemented with an original (no photocopies), valid (unexpired) ID that has at least a matching name and recent recognizable photograph, or a matching name and signature.

Unacceptable forms of identification include military IDs, draft classification cards, credit cards of any kind, social security cards, student IDs, international driver's licenses, international student IDs, notary-prepared letters or documents, employee identification cards, learner's permits or any temporary identification cards, government employment IDs, and automated teller machine (ATM) cards.

If you do not have proper identification at the time of your test, you will be denied admission to the test session. If you are refused admission to the test, for any reason, you will be considered absent and will receive no credit or refund of any kind.

Please note the following:

  • Your middle initial in your account on this website must match the middle name or initial on your ID.
  • If you have a hyphenated last name, one of the following must be true of your name as it appears in your account on this website and on your ID:
    • either both instances must use the complete hyphenated name

      or

    • if one instance only uses one last name, it must be the second last name from the full hyphenated version

If you have any questions about your identification, please contact Evaluation Systems before the day of the test.

As part of the identity verification process, you must provide photographs of (1) your ID, (2) your testing environment, and (3) your face (a headshot). These will be used only for the purpose of identity verification and ensuring a secure testing environment. If you do not provide the required photographs, you will not be allowed to test and you will not receive a refund or credit of any kind.

What Could Cause Your Test to be Stopped and/or Revoked?

We take steps to ensure that every testing experience is a good one, but there are two main reasons your test could be stopped.

  • Your test cannot be launched—if technical problems with your computer or internet connection prevent the test from launching correctly.
  • Your test could be revoked if the proctor sees any irregularities.
    • You must stay within webcam view.
    • You cannot get up and walk around.
    • No one can enter your testing environment.
    • You cannot leave your testing environment.
    • You cannot use paper and pencil/pen.
    • You cannot access your cell phone without explicit permission by the proctor.
    • You must be clothed (no hats or hoodies).
    • A beverage in any container is allowed, but no food or smoking.

Additionally, you could receive a warning for the following activities, which could lead to your testing session being revoked:

  • Moving your webcam—you cannot move your webcam once your testing session has started.
  • Mumbling or speaking out loud will lead to a warning.

Violation of testing rules, including the possession or use of prohibited materials during a test administration, may result in the voiding of your scores.

Examinees may retake a test or subtest. If you wish to retake a test, you must complete the registration process again. You must wait 30 days before retaking a test.

It is essential that you report for your test appointment on time. If you arrive more than 15 minutes late to a test appointment, you may not be admitted. If you arrive late and are not admitted, you will be considered absent and will not receive a refund or credit of any kind. You will need to register and pay again to test on a future date.

Absentee Policy

If you are absent, you will not receive a refund or credit of any kind. You will need to register and pay again to test on a future date.

Emergency circumstances. If you are absent from a test appointment because of an emergency circumstance (illness, injury, hospitalization, or death in the immediate family), you may be eligible to receive a fee voucher that you may use to register for a future test date.

To request a voucher, you must submit a written request to Evaluation Systems describing the emergency situation. Include written documentation, such as a dated newspaper obituary or a dated letter signed by a professional licensed to diagnose or treat the emergency condition (e.g., physician), on that person's professional letterhead. Documentation from a medical professional must specifically excuse you from testing on the date of the test. Documentation containing electronic signatures will not be accepted.

The request and required documentation must be received at Evaluation Systems within 30 calendar days after the missed test appointment.

A response to your request will be sent to you within two weeks after the missed test date, or two weeks after your request is received, whichever is later. If your request for a fee voucher is granted, the fee voucher you receive will be in the amount of the test fee you paid for the missed test appointment.

In the event that it becomes necessary to cancel an appointment due to a technical issue, Pearson VUE will notify examinees by email and include instructions to reschedule your test appointment.

If you miss a test appointment that has not been officially canceled, you will be considered absent and will not receive a refund or credit of any kind. Contact customer support if you have any concerns or questions on the day of the test.


Top of Page