Prometric Testing Site

I’ve taken a couple of tests here — medical licensing exams step 2 and 3. I went here because it seemed to be the closest place to my home in Cambridge. I called the place and asked about parking and they said there was only metered parking. My tests are 8 hour tests. All day parking would not be happening in Coolidge Corner. At least it’s off the Green C line.
Make sure you arrive early for your test. The place is very busy, but they check people in first come, first served so if you come early, you could even start early. Their lockers are the size of cubby holes with a couple of normal-​sized half lockers so bring your study notes in a tote bag and small lunch and that’s all that’s going to fit. There are coat hangers, I guess a must in Boston winters.
There are two computer rooms to take tests. They’re large, but overall quiet enough to concentrate. I tend to wear the soundproof headphones to help block out noise and their headphones were not comfy. I don’t think I heard too much of the street noise while wearing them. Since I take long tests, I take bathroom breaks and lunch breaks so I have to come out and get fingerprinted and what not. The worst was the day I came with a cold and wasn’t allowed — by the test policy, don’t think it’s the center’s policy — to carry in more than 1 tissue at a time. I don’t get that much break time so those tissues were disintegrating by the time I took a break and that computer I tested at was in slightly better shape, but I hope they hosed it down.
I take tests here because I have to. I’m not dealing with driving in Boston traffic and raising my blood pressure to go elsewhere. Staff is average, just doing their job. It’s not as friendly or pleasant as other testing centers, but it serves its purpose.

Is there a way to rate with zero stars? I wasn’t able to take the test due to computer problems, the manager didn’t handle the situation well, and even worse, the staff knew the nite before that the computers were down and not only did not notify us, but made us register and wait an hour before informing us we couldn’t test and they couldn’t reschedule us in the next two days or more.

I was really nervous to take my occupational therapy registration exam after reading all of the negative comments. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. I used public transortation, which I hadn’t originally planned to do but I am very glad I did. I arrived over an hour early but was able to start my exam right away, which was great. I found the staff to be friendly and helpful, which assuaged my nerves quite a bit. I am typically extremely annoyed by noise, but didn’t find the noise too distracting. At first, there seemed to be some construction noise that would’ve driven me nuts if it had continued. I dis hear the T and one ambulance siren along with cars driving by, but there were headphones (both external ear and the soft ones you put in your ear). The general testing process is no fun, but this center did not make it worse.
As for the bathroom, while it did not match the updated look of the rest of the building, it was not the worst I’ve ever seen and was fairly clean for a public restroom.

Prometrics was very professional when I went to take the GRE recently. Nicole at the front desk was friendly and informative. Matt, who brought me into the testing room was very curt and serious. but good at his particular job.
This was my first test in a testing center and it wasn’t bad. Noise level from the street/​t wasn’t distracting as I barely noticed it. They also have ear covers if you want to use them…
This is in an easy location to get to by public transportation but it’s a pain to park — avoid it if you can.

I’m sorry– but this site was horrible.
Yes, it’s in a convenient location (i.e. not in the boonies) that’s accessible by T .
However, there are so many negative features that are more important for test-​taking:
–The T goes by every 30 minutes and I can hear and feel the vibration from the train every single time
— I can hear people outside
— I can hear ambulance sirens (for my day, there were at least 4 sirens).
In short, this place is LOUD. It’s way better to go somewhere like worcester or burlington, where it is dead silent.

Staff aside, this is a great place to take a test. The place is neat, the computers relatively new and the atmosphere quiet and warm. All conducive to a pleasant test-​taking experience.
Location-​wise, it is not so bad. Parking is a bit of a no-​go as most metered spots top out at 2 hours and the GRE is twice as long. However, it is across the street from the D line and the 66 goes down Harvard. Most importantly, it is close to a number of bars so you can have a celebratory drink immediately after.
NOTE: If you have to use the bathroom, do so beforehand! The bathroom immediately next to Prometric’s office is filthy. I honestly can’t understand why it is passcode-​protected. People breaking in off the street would probably see its decrepit state and opt to hold it anyways.
Speaking of people repellant, the staff here could use a refresher course in basic people skills. Mumbling directions while looking elsewhere is generally frowned upon in the world of customer service. So isn’t snapping and jabbing your finger towards a minute (and out of the way) sign when I politely ask you to repeat yourself. And you know what they say about assuming, right? I wasn’t rummaging through my purse for a cheat sheet you ass, I was leaving, after having already checked out of the test center. But thanks for literally yelling at me to stop what I was doing as I tried to gather my belongings. What am I doing? Well, what does it look like. Have I finished the test? Obviously. I didn’t just decide that three hours into it was a fine time to take myself and my belongings for a stroll.
Synopsis: Location = good. People = not good.

I mean, it’s hard to give a rating to a test center, but sure, 4 stars? I’m posting really to possibly save others some of the hassle I went through with logistics…
I love the environment and all but I thought I’d drive, to avoid the hour-​ish T ride down the C line from Porter Sq. You know how it is. I wanted things to be as stress-​free as possible on my GRE test day.
Good thing I did some investigation before leaving, though… Brookline has only 2 hour meters around Coolidge Corner — in their limited street spots and the 2 lots on Centre street. There’s also a 3 hour spot behind the building (Just one? I’m not sure — I learned this from the Prometric attendant when I called). That’s great, but the test is about 4 hours long. The attendant kindly told me that parking is no problem, I can run out and put money in the meter during the 10 minute break between sections. Yeah, no thanks.
There’s also the Courtyard Marriott nearby, where you can park in the garage for $ 8/​hour. It’s a short walk but ultimately I decided not to spend an extra $ 32 on this test, and took the T.
Otherwise, this place is great. It was right across the street from the Coolidge Corner stop, easy to find, welcoming and polite people, quiet and clean environment. All good stuff as far as a testing environment goes… Good luck!

I took my GREs here on two separate occasions. It’s a convenient place to get your test on, as it’s right next to the Coolidge Corner T stop. Furthermore, it’s a well-​run facility, with appointments being met and kept quickly.
I kind of wish they’d update their magazine selection in the waiting room. At the same time, I learned so much about June of 2008 :)