What to do when the computers crash...

[Downbytheicu]

I was taking Step 2 CK at a prometric testing center this past week and the computers crashed at the end of my first block. I wanted to start this thread for posterity reasons so that if it happens to people in the future, this may help them figure out what to do. First thing, make sure you got a card from the proctor with a ticket number and the phone number for the Prometric Candidate Care people. They'll probably give it to you without you asking for it. Then they'll file a report, but you don't have to be there for all that. Write an email to the NBME as soon as you can letting them know what happened. Include your Permit # and your USMLE ID. Email can be found here: http://www.nbme.org/contact/index.html Wait... Because I had started the exam, from Prometric's perspective I cannot reschedule. As far as they are concerned, I used my scheduling permit and it was now considered used and void. You have to wait for NBME to issue you another scheduling permit. I got mine about 2-3 days later. Then you can go back to the prometric website and find another test date. Prometric is supposed to be reimbursing me for travel expenses incurred by the fact that my testing center (even if I wanted to take it there again... which I don't!) is filled up for the next few weeks. No way I want to keep studying for several weeks when I was ready two days ago! So, I have to drive 2 1/2 hours away to find a testing center with a spot available within the next few days. Anyway, I hope this doesn't happen to anyone else, but I hope that this can be an outline in case it does happen again. Cheers

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[McGillGrad]

The computers went down three times when I took mine. They just restarted the PCs (power went out) and we continued.

 

[OveractiveBrain]

I was taking Step 2 CK at a prometric testing center this past week and the computers crashed at the end of my first block. I wanted to start this thread for posterity reasons so that if it happens to people in the future, this may help them figure out what to do. First thing, make sure you got a card from the proctor with a ticket number and the phone number for the Prometric Candidate Care people. They'll probably give it to you without you asking for it. Then they'll file a report, but you don't have to be there for all that. Write an email to the NBME as soon as you can letting them know what happened. Include your Permit # and your USMLE ID. Email can be found here: http://www.nbme.org/contact/index.html Wait... Because I had started the exam, from Prometric's perspective I cannot reschedule. As far as they are concerned, I used my scheduling permit and it was now considered used and void. You have to wait for NBME to issue you another scheduling permit. I got mine about 2-3 days later. Then you can go back to the prometric website and find another test date. Prometric is supposed to be reimbursing me for travel expenses incurred by the fact that my testing center (even if I wanted to take it there again... which I don't!) is filled up for the next few weeks. No way I want to keep studying for several weeks when I was ready two days ago! So, I have to drive 2 1/2 hours away to find a testing center with a spot available within the next few days. Anyway, I hope this doesn't happen to anyone else, but I hope that this can be an outline in case it does happen again. Cheers

Happened to a classmate taking Step 1. The computer went down. No way to know if her data was saved. She was told by the dean to keep studying, and to do it again. She went an extra 2 weeks studying, only to have to drive 4 hours to take the test. She matched in anesthesia, so i think it was ok.

 

[Arkie]

I accidentally kicked the power cord out of the wall halfway through my first block. Raised my hand, they escorted me into the lobby while they turned the computer back on. Sat down and continued the exam where I left off. Actually not a bad way to weasel a few extra minutes break time if you need to stand up and recollect your thoughts halfway through a block.