Thomson Prometric Testing Center

PLEASE CORRECT THIS IS PLACE IS CLOSED!
The Prometric Center they’ve opened in the Business Park is much better; there’s ample parking, clean facilities, and works a lot more efficiently IMO. However, this address is dated, and after driving 20 min in the wrong direction it was just not cool. This place is CLOSED, replaced with the bigger and better facility by the airport

I had to write a review because when I got their they had a sticker on the window «People Love Us on Unilocal» I won’t say I «Love» this place, but it’s definitely at the top of the «Crap, I have to take a proctored exam/​continuing education course and I’m not sure where to go» list.
The location was a little hard to find, but that could be because I’m somewhat directionally challenged. The facility itself was clean and the people working there were very nice. Before I got started, Sally (I believe was her name) even gave me a heads up about free street parking a block away from where I parked.

I also noticed the Unilocal sticker coming in, and walking out, I thought «What a lie!».
I took the MCAT here. My impression of Alameda is, I hate the town, solely because of this testing site.
1. My computer was slow. I informed the administrators, who restarted the computer, but it was still slow and I politely informed them of no improvement every time I went out for a break.
The screen would stall every time I pressed NEXT for 15 seconds. Imagine staring at a blank screen for each passage thinking about how much life sucks. Ample time to calculate how much time I was losing, because I would lose 2 – 4 seconds on the timer. Multiply that for each time you press next and how many «easy» questions can be answered in that time. I definitely had to seriously consider if I wanted to «go back» to a previous passage, which I did once. If you check answers at the end, better hope they’re all on the same passage.
On the bright side, it forces you to clear your mind for the next passage. (always have to find the silver lining)
2. The ear muffs don’t work, but hey, what can you do. Prometric should allow ear plugs to be used, but maybe they don’t think it’s sanitary or that people would sue if it got jammed in a test-taker’s ear.
3. The door entering the testing site is «light» as in it slams everytime someone goes in or out. Usually out, because the administrator controls the door when they first let people in. I told them about this too but they didn’t care.
4. There’s no private parking. Just letting you know. You have to pay for garage parking a block away or park on the street, taking notice of street-​sweeping days. Not much of an issue for me, but I would consider it if I took the test in the winter months and walking on the streets after a late test.
5. Maybe I’m a test center snob, but there are much nicer places around the Bay.
6. If your test is screwy, you can write a letter to amcas, which will write a letter to you saying you can show their letter to the medical schools you apply to. Peanuts.
7. The good thing about the test center is that there is a yogurt place, peets, starbucks, (jamba? I don’t remember), a mexican restaurant, and american food — hot dog place, etc. So it’s not like I was cranky going into the exam, just coming out.
8. The staff is friendly enough.

Took my NMLS exams here. If I hadn’t taken my GMATs down at another testing center in Milpitas I would probably have given this Alameda location more stars. The location is fantastic because the area is inviting with the restaurants, boutiques, movie theater, and cafes (not that any of these things really help us in any way before an exam), it’s a great place to unwind after and hopefully a great place to prep and calm yourself before.
Since I was taking my NMLS exams I didn’t need a lot of time so the 2 hour residential parking around the test center was more than enough. But I see what people mean when it comes to exams that take longer than 2 hours parking gets difficult. I think all of the spaces I parked in the two days I went in for testing were constricted to 2 hour parking and there really isn’t any public parking lots from what I could tell around the testing center.
The center in Milpitas was a lot better in the modernity of the interior, again something that changes my experience here. The glass was more soundproof, the building was well insulated, the staff didn’t require entering the testing area every 5 minutes, and so on. So all of those things helped with the exam-​taking. At Alameda you may be distracted by the constant staff entrances (although they do try to be as quiet as possible), the sound of toilets flushing and the sink running in the restrooms. You can also hear people talking right outside the testing room if you don’t have earphones or earplugs — the sound is muffled but if I were taking the GMATs here I’m sure I would’ve been irritated by the constant drone and random noises.
The staff here is a lot more lax than in Milpitas. Just as friendly but the regulations seem to be more lax in Alameda, for example there isn’t someone always sitting outside making sure you follow the rules about not taking anything out but food and water when visiting your locker. Another negative point is they don’t really tell you what to expect after you go into the exam room — no prep about the headphones or the mouse pad, they just sort of lead you in there and sit you down. But they are super nice.
Another reason I gave this place a 3 despite the fact that I really like the older interior style is that the 2^nd day I went in for a test they literally forgot I was even there pre-​test. I sat in the waiting room for a good 15 – 20 minutes before they came out and said they forgot about me and then proceeded to sign me in to take my test. I wasn’t upset because they did acknowledge their mistake and apologized for it but it’s those little things that ultimately change the experience altogether. And again had it been my GMATs I would have been more on edge.
So I would say come here if you’re going to be taking a shorter, less demanding exam. But I’d go somewhere else if you need to take a strenuous or lengthy test, although I have to admit the atmosphere there sure lends to you being more relaxed compared to other test centers! Again love the area and staff is very nice!

Took my GRE here. Great location (It is tucked away in the courtyard; you can be a local and have never noticed it!), near the Park street Starbucks. Helpful staff; they confiscated a dollar out of my pocket (I guess you have to clear your pockets first; who knows what GRE words I could have scrawled on that dollar. just kidding.) and then when I forgot to pick it up at the end, I came back in and they gave me the dollar with a post-​it stuck on it. So… they are trustworthy employees. I know it’s just a dollar, but little things like that show you who is honest. :) I’d like to think that the convenient location (being on alameda island, so I didn’t have to battle traffic or freeways to get to my test !), quiet atmosphere (no traffic noise at all), and efficient staff helped me rock the test on the first try.

I wanted to give this place 5 stars, but unfortunately a few things happened at the center that were very distracting.
I sat at cubicle #15, and unfortunately, the people working at the center have to walk into the room and walk by that desk in order to press a button every 5 minutes or so. I believe this is done so that there is evidence that the testing room is being monitored. Even though I was wearing earplugs, the sound of the walking and the way the floor vibrated distracted my attention every time they came in. My test was 8 hours long, so you can imagine that after 4 hours or so, a quiet/​non distracting environment helps if you need to keep pounding through the questions.
Another distraction was that around 3pm, a girl was seated next to me to take her exam. Her exam must have had lots of written answers, because she typed and typed. She was a loud typer, so not even my ear plugs could entirely drown it out.
I am thinking or writing a formal complaint about this, because I do think all of this affected my ability to adequately maintain concentration while I was answering some of the questions… especially as it got down to the last few sections.

Nice and convenient with Peets and Starbucks nearby. Also, lots of good eating after you ace the exam

First thing I noticed when walking in the testing center was that they had a People Love Us on Unilocal sticker. I had to come here to take my GRE, because the Fremont center was all booked. I was happy with my experience here and would definitely come back here to take another test (hoping that doesn’t become a reality though).
There are a lot of small shops and restaurants in the surrounding area. The testing center is conveniently located near a Starbucks and Peets for all you caffeine fiends out there. It’s nice to have those options there if you were dropped off at the center like I was as places to kill time and wait for your ride. I would totally suggest getting a ride there, because parking seems to be kind of difficult. The parking lot connected right next to the center is permit only and the adjacent street parking has a 2 hour limit. You would probably have to find parking at a nearby residential area if your test lasts +2 hours.
The facility was small and clean. There are lockers for you to put all your belongings in and a place to hang coats/​jackets. There are two restrooms, one for each sex. I used the restroom before taking the test and it was very clean. The testing area itself was well lit and at a comfortable temperature. The chairs were comfortable and there was plenty of room in each cubicle. They provide you with ear plugs before you go in or you can use the noise canceling headsets they provide at each station which is very nice!
The employees here were super sweet and efficient too! I had a nice conversation with one of them when signing out. Overall, I had an extremely positive experience at this testing center and would definitely recommend it to others.

I took the TOEFL there. It’s a very cute and small center yet comfortable and clean. lockers and keys are provided although they are very small, I crammed my back pack there only because it was not full so be aware of that. but the rest such as phones, wallet etc you can place safely in it.
parking is a bi*&%ch, I mean I got there early and saw tons of spaces but all were 2 hour max (some were 3) so I ended up parking in a near by residential street about 2 blocks away, not bad but that was after making rounds around the center cause I didn’t know any better. The funny thing (not really funny) was that instruction on where to park were posts INSIDE the test center and were not send before hand by email (like they do on SAT’s and such) so it’s not much help after you already parked your car to see that. basically it said park 2 or 5 blocks away like I did so no foul.
Bathroom is 1 room for men, 1 room for women but the center is small so there was no rush. inside room was nice temperature and staff were helpful and kind.

Took my GRE’s here. Perfect place to get dropped off, do not park here. I love how coffee is right around the corner so you can get your cup before your test, or on your break. You can store your coffee or snack in the lockers if you like.
Everyone is really nice and pleasant, even the test takers. I made polite conversation with people who were waiting with me. The lockers consist of the small lockers and a few longer ones, however limited. So please don’t bring your whole backpack and try to squeeze it in… you’re not going to read your whole text book on your 10 minute break. Just bring the necessary. There is only one bathroom so you’re going to have to wait. Its kinda nasty because it also echos, so that you hear EVERYTHING.
I’m going to be back in a couple weeks to take the MCAT. Hopefully it is as pleasant this time around.

I decided to write this review before I get my test scores back because otherwise it just wouldn’t be fair. For an experience that involved taking a test that determines where I’ll live and how much self-​confidence I’ll have over the next 5 years, Prometric Testing Center did a great job.
The testing center is set back from the street so there isn’t any traffic noise. The chairs are also very comfortable and they must have gotten new computer screens since one of the reviewers before me tested – they are fine. What really made this a relatively pleasant experience were the employees. I cannot imagine having to wake up to be at work at 7am every day only to deal with ridiculously neurotic people such as myself. I’d give them five stars but something about giving anything having to do with the MCAT five stars just feels wrong. Plus the annoying guy with big headphones who typed really really loudly pissed me off quite a bit during my Biology Section which already sucked from having too much genetics on it.
…And now to make this a useful review for those of you looking to test there:
–As many have noted, the parking in the area is not so great. There is street parking but some of it’s timed and if you’re taking the MCAT you will take over 4 hours.
–You will have to have your fingerprint scanned and ID checked as you leave and as you come back into the testing room from breaks. Keep that in mind when timing your breaks.
–They have lockers for you to keep your stuff in – no watches, jackets, etc., but you are allowed to eat food in the waiting area. Just keep your photo ID and locker key on you.
–You will already be assigned a station before you get there. Since I came early, however, I was able to request to be in the back away from the door. I highly recommend doing so because despite the fact that they give you earplugs, there are people taking other tests that start or break at different times.
Good luck, and hopefully I won’t be re-​reviewing this in a month.

Not a bad place to take an exam. Horrible place to leave your jacket… I accidentally left my jacket here and when I came back the staff said they donated it to charity, what the heck, can’t they at least wait a while? What kind of policy is that? Especially since they MAKE you leave everything outside!
Make sure to bring your own ear plugs, if you forget them, then for your sake hopefully you are not easily distracted! The testing room is small, the size of a decent livingroom and any noise really carries. They will give you some tissue if you want to stuff your ears, but that will hardly help if someone is sneezing, coughing or generally being distracting in the cubicle right next to you.

I was thinking to myself, «Wouldn’t that be hilarious if someone already Unilocaled about this place?» I was so certain that I would be the first! Doh!
Guess what, Michelle S. fans??? I FINALLY TOOK THE GRE TODAY!!! Woo hoo!!! I mean, I’m only sort of ok with my score. However, I finally took it.
So, this place ain’t so bad. It is what it is. The staff who work there are totally nice. They didn’t give me the stink-​eye when I forgot to «sign out» before taking my potty break. The cubicles are roomy. The chairs are comfy. They don’t over-​air-​condition the testing room. They give you earplugs if you want them (Highly recommended). It’s located right in the middle of downtown Alameda. Parking kinda sucks (hence not five stars). However, it *IS* in the same center as Alameda Yoga Station
(so you can relax before your test) and is also around the corner from other awesome Alameda establishments.
So, if you have to take some form of standardized test or certification, this location isn’t so bad. If you have to drive through Fruitvale to get to it, be sure to reward yourself with taco truck food after you’re finished.

The staff at this center was very nice and helpful. It is a small testing center, so it is easy to grab a snack out of your bag and run to the restroom on testing breaks. The room was temperate and my chair was comfy. Mouse and keyboard were sufficient. I have to take two stars off for the horrible flickering CRT monitor. I took the MCAT here and it was difficult to look at figures and read long passages on the crappy monitor. Did they get these for free somewhere? Flicker-​free flat panels are not expensive anymore.

Everyone from my prep class was raving about this location, but no one mentioned the parking or the lack of it. The parking lot connected to the center is «Permit Only» so arrive early to circle the residential streets of Regent or Broadway if your testing session is 3+ hours. Wear layers for the inconsistency of body heat as testakers enter and exit the room at different times.
The nice thing is the restrooms are closeby if you need to run for a quick pit stop while your testing clock continues to run. The staff are friendly and helpful, too They’re even nicer when you get your passing preliminary results as they’re congratulating you out the door.

Great place to take your certification tests! It’s in downtown Alameda and near starbucks too! I loved taking my A+ certs here. Good luck if you go.