Frequently Asked Questions About Exam Integrity and Security
Select a question from the list to show the answer. You can also view the answers to all of the questions by selecting the check box.
| Q. | What is the Microsoft policy on exam security? | ||||
| A. | Exam security includes the policies described in the nondisclosure agreement (NDA), as well as testing center security. For more information about testing center security, contact your exam provider. For more information about the steps that Microsoft takes to protect your certification investment, please read our letter to MCPs.
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| Q. | Who should I contact if I find a Web site that discloses Microsoft certification exam information or if I discover an individual cheating or selling exam questions and answers? | ||||
| A. | Send an e-mail message to tctips@microsoft.com and include as much information as possible about the situation and the persons involved. Anonymous tips are always appreciated; however, please include your full contact information so that someone from Microsoft can contact you to discuss the details. Microsoft has dedicated staff that follows up on tips provided through the tctips@microsoft.com alias. Because of tips from individuals like you, several Web sites have been terminated. | ||||
| Q. | What happens if someone is caught cheating on a Microsoft exam? | ||||
| A. | If a candidate is caught violating testing rules, as explained to all exam candidates at the testing center, the candidate is permanently ineligible for any Microsoft certification and loses any Microsoft certifications the individual already holds. Proctors at testing centers are authorized to immediately take appropriate measures against candidates who are caught violating testing rules. Examples of violations include using notes brought into the testing center, copying test questions, and looking at the monitors of other test takers. | ||||
| Q. | How do testing centers help ensure the security of Microsoft exams? | ||||
| A. | Microsoft provides testing centers with specific security policies that must be enforced in order to acquire and maintain testing center status. Ongoing inspections ensure that each testing center is maintaining the security outlined in the Microsoft policy. In addition, proctors at testing centers are authorized to immediately take appropriate measures against candidates who violate testing rules. For specific information about the expectations for candidates, please contact your exam provider. If you have a concern about the security of your exam experience, please contact tctips@microsoft.com or your exam provider. | ||||
| Q. | Why am I required to accept a nondisclosure agreement before I can take an exam? | ||||
| A. | The MCP program requires certification candidates to accept the terms of an NDA before taking certification exams. The NDA legally requires certification candidates to keep information related to MCP exam content confidential. Requiring the acceptance of the NDA protects the security of Microsoft certification exams and the integrity of the program by legally discouraging piracy of exam content.
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| Q. | Why does Microsoft have an exam-retake policy? | ||||
| A. | Microsoft has a policy for retaking exams to ensure candidates take the necessary time to prepare for their exam and to combat exam piracy. By imposing a waiting period between exam retakes, we limit a candidate's exposure to exam content and discourage memorization of content.
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| Q. | How does periodic replacement of exam content help increase the security of the exams? | ||||
| A. | Periodic replacement of exam content minimizes exposure of any particular exam question and allows for technical updates to exams. | ||||
| Q. | How do simulations, which are in some certification exams, increase exam security? | ||||
| A. | Simulations require candidates to perform tasks rather than simply answer questions, which discourages candidates from memorizing questions. | ||||
