Prometric Test Center

Compared to the SDSU testing location, Prometric is much better. Parking alone is hands down better at Prometric, with a big lot only steps from the office. The location at SDSU at Student Services is at least a 10 minute walk from the nearest parking lot (and I’m faculty with a good parking permit).
The environment at Prometric was also better. The waiting room is nicer and larger, the one at SDSU is old and cramped. The staff at Prometric were nicer too. I felt much more relaxed, which led to me getting my target score!!!

Easy to find place off the freeway, parking is right there, but limited because a small business shares the parking lot so make sure you park in the correct place and not in the permit only areas.
The place is the first door to your right from the parking lot entrance. Check in was easy, they ask for your ID. You’re given a key to your locker to put everything away, including your keys. Don’t bring anything, not even a pen of your own. They’ll provide you the scrap paper and pencils. I’m not sure why I had to be there a half hour early just to sit around and wait.
Then you’re signed in, checked with a metal detector, told to empty your pockets, sleeves and pants and then you’re put into this room with cubicles and computers. The «noise-​cancelling» headphones do nothing. You can hear every cough, every nose-​blowing, every time someone slams the door, every time someone comes in and out, every time someone types like their lives depended on it and every time someone talks to themselves. It’s very annoying!
Then the room gets rather cold after 3 hours, the AC blows right on you and it gets colder and colder to the point where I wished I had worn a thicker sweater.

Worst experience ever, especially when people are already nervous about taking a test and paid a lot of money to go there. Jessica, the person who checked people in was rude, short and had no service skills. I went with my husband so he could take a test and was disturbed by the way she ordered people around.
I took my IRS preparer test there 2 years ago and had a similar experience. Then, once my husband went into the room, she asked me to leave and to not be anywhere on the premises. When I told her that there is no sign the indicates that, she pulled out a paper my husband signed, which had nothing to do with me or the guests to try to show me what the person signs when they take a test. Really? If you have another option as a testing location, take it!

I highly doubt that you’ll ever be shopping around for testing centers to fit all of your testing needs, but in the off chance that you are, Prometric is a decent location.
More often than not you find yourself here because of some manner of professional testing, and finding here turns out to be a bit awkward. From what I’ve gathered, the main entrance is the side of the building, which usually has slim pickins on the parking front. If you do snag a spot, finding this center should be pretty easy. If you’re relegated to the rear parking lot like I always seem to be, you find yourself hopelessly lost inside a perfectly nondescript square.
When you inevitably find the center through trial and error, you will feel like you’re on the set of Office Space. I don’t necessarily fault Prometric for this, because it’s a testing center and not the entrance to the Bellagio, but it’s pretty bland. From there, everything else is fine; the staff is polite, the place does it’s best job of eliminating distractions, and it also does a fairly decent job of keeping you awake. If you do find yourself in need of a bathroom, my best suggestion is the fountain in the middle, because if you have a hard time finding Prometric you’ll have zero hope of finding the loo.

So, you’re taking the GRE soon. You’ve studied, practiced and repeated, and taken plenty of diagnostic tests. And you live somewhere near Clairemont (I’m a professional GRE tutor in PB and have always taken my tests at this location).
This particular location in Claremont is pretty easy to get to. However, If you get a chance, then I would suggest that you drive by the test center in person, just to eliminate any unknowns or traffic variables. The GRE is primarily offered at Prometric test centers, which are all very similar. You should be aware that not everyone in the test center will be taking the GRE, however: Prometric offers a variety of computer tests at its locations.
In most cases, this location offers the GRE on weekdays and Saturdays at either 8:30 am or 1 pm. I’m not exactly a morning person, so I tend to be in the 1 pm crowd, but it’s all up to your personal preference.
Pro tip: I’ve taken the GRE multiple times. One time, I arrived at Prometric and thought that I had forgotten my ID. The receptionist told me that even though my test start time was 1 pm, that I could start as late as 1:30. I can’t promise that this will be the case with every test center, but it’s comforting for those of you who are worried about making it to the center on time for any reason.
Alternatively, you can arrive early for your test and start taking it before the scheduled start time. ETS recommends that you arrive 30 minutes early, but if you’re ready to go after 5 minutes or so, then they will often let you begin early, since other test-​takers will be there at the office taking tests all day long. I would recommend that you find the bathroom before the test begins, so that you don’t waste any precious test time on restroom runs.
Don’t forget to bring an acceptable photo ID, since you will need it at the test center: no ID, no test. When you arrive, the receptionist will give you a locker key and ask you to empty your pockets into the locker. You will keep your ID in your pocket, however, as you will need it to check in and out of the test.
I would still recommend bringing a water bottle, but of course you’ll have to drink it before you put your stuff in your locker. Or, during your break you can come out, open your locker, and drink your water and/​or eat whatever snack food you have brought. I recommend something high-​calorie and easy to eat such as a Clif Bar. If you forget your water, don’t worry: there is a water cooler there.
Since ETS (the maker of the GRE) forbids using your cell phone during the test, I would recommend that you simply leave your phone in your car, to eliminate the chance of your using it accidentally and thus having your score cancelled. That would be tragic, and a bit waste of time and money.
Some tips for the actual test:
–The issue essay is an opinion piece. Consider the issue, take a side, then back it up using a variety of reasons, examples, and deep analysis. Write a lot, organize your thoughts well, and make sure to back up your claims with detailed examples. Be insightful, nuanced, complex and balanced.
–The argument essay is your opportunity to be the CEO of your own corporation. In other words, you are the boss, and you are given a chance to evaluate the argument/​presentation made by your employee. Instead of attacking the argument outright, make it clear that there is not yet enough information to make a clear decision (after all, this is your thesis every single time!). You might believe him, and you might not. But either way you will have to defend your positions and explain what extra information is needed, and how your decisions would depend on the results of that information.
–Remember that the GRE is an adaptive test, which means that it adjusts its level of difficulty depending on your performance. However, the GRE used to be a severely adaptive test (it would change the difficulty level from question to question, putting a huge amount of importance on the first few questions of the test), to a more gently adaptive one. In other words, the GRE does not adapt question by question anymore; it simply adjusts the difficulty level of the second section, based on your performance on the first (non-​experimental) section of that type.
–Don’t forget that the actual GRE contains an extra «experimental» section that doesn’t count toward your score. It could be verbal, or it could be math, and you don’t know what section it’s going to be. So the real thing is going to feel a bit longer, and a bit less certain, than the Powerprep practice tests.
to be continued in my update…

I hate testing. Everyone does. But coming here was a good experience and Is very pleasant. There is plenty of parking. I came for a test in the middle of the day. There was no wait. I did not feel like I had to be there 30 minutes early to take my test.
The bathroom is close by. They have a nice relaxing fountain in the middle of the plaza that put you at ease. I did not see any place where you can get food. They have water inside and little shot cups.
The testing center had computers that were up-​to-​date and there was plenty of space. Everyone in the test center seemed relatively relaxed

I just took the MCAT 2015 here last week, so we were suppose to arrive here 30 minutes before but I go there 45 minutes prior and it took them 45 minutes to check me in, probably since there was so many people taking the mcat.
Regardless its a clean facility, good lockers to put your stuff in. The room temperature was set to a temperature, but it got a little warm so I took off my jacket which made it perfect. The test was 7 hrs and 30 minutes long besides signing in and out each time I enjoyed taking my breaks outside and the restroom had 3 stalls, I didn’t have to wait for one during my breaks. The only complaint was they ran out of toilet papers but someone kindly from the mens bathroom grabbed some from their bathroom. I would take another test here again and recommend it to anyone else.

It’s just like being in a dentist’s office without the actual teeth part. Shades are drawn, strip mall waiting room décor with emotionless abstract paintings, little cups of water, outdated magazines.
There’s really no worse way to spend a hot sunny San Diego Saturday than locked up in here for 4 hours. The staff was nice, but this whole operation wreaks of extortion in the name of education. $ 200 for the test, a complete cavity search (youtube the Spies Like Us Exam scene), and little cubicle test pods. I had forgotten how oppressive and stifling that environment can be, especially locked in a room with people belching, sniffing, humming, and reading the prompts under their breath. I was happy to leave; this was a one-​time visit.

I’m a GRE tutor, so I’ve taken the GRE here a couple of times and had good experiences both times (one in 2014, the other in 2012). I have had lots of my students take it here with no complaints. A few tips from me:
1. Be prepared to sit there for a while once you sign in. It will also take you a while to fill out the paperwork.
2. Bring food and drinks for the 10 minute break. It’s a long, long test (4+ hours).
3. Take your ETS official practice tests IN SIMILAR CONDITIONS to prepare yourself. I would recommend a quiet library cubicle — try college libraries. Take the whole test at once with one 10 minute break after the third section — otherwise, no breaks.
4. Speaking of the break, make use of it. Walk around, stretch, do some jumping jacks.
Most likely, your battle will be won or lost long before you get to this test center… so prepare intelligently!

I’m giving this three stars mainly because of just one employee there but I’ll get into that.
I took the GRE here today. It was easy to find, located right off of governor, a few blocks west of the 805. Let me note that this place is way better than the SDSU office. There’s ample parking and you don’t have to walk that far unlike SDSU. For some reason, whenever I get going in those testing rooms, I freak out. My anxiety kicks into over-​drive, I do ok in normal classroom exams but not here. Because of this, I asked the receptionist a few questions to get myself acquainted with the place. I asked him if he could seat me as far away from people as possible, the sound of typing while I’m trying to read some ambiguous excerpt about how some author formed an opinion about some author who was having trouble forming an opinion about some author and finding what it all means (the GRE sucks). He said he couldn’t but that I could bring earplugs in with me and use the noise cancelling headphones. Which I did.
Right before I entered the exam, I asked the guy at the door if I can take a break at a time other than the official one after the third section. He said no. It turns out, 15 minutes into the exam I had to go pee but I was under the impression that I had to wait. That was a HUGE distraction. Then I started hearing people type which compounded my anxiety even more.
It turns out the guy was wrong. If you’re taking the GRE, you can sign-​out and leave whenever you wish but it will cut into your time. So what, if you gotta urinate, that takes priority. That guy f**** my exam up pretty bad. It’s a minute detail but it matters. Obviously the management needs to train their staff a little better.
Other than that, the people were kind and helpful. Take the test here, not at SDSU. Prepare as much as possible, relax and try to see the big picture. It’s not an IQ test; try your best and you’ll do fine. I got a combined score of 306. Good luck and breathe! :)

Just took a test thingy today and it wasn’t that difficult to find, get parking and all. The lockers are about 14″ x 14″ so leave your crap in the car, take only the essentials. Had to leave my watch and fitbit bracelet in the locker.
If you are taking a test for the first time you probably research techniques on line. Get comfy, wear long sleeve shirt so you can show off your guns for the cameras. The temperature fluctuated while I was there, cold in the beginning than warmer in the afternoon.
Only problem that really bugged me was the ear muffs, my ears get hot when I hear over the ear headphones for too long. I dropped $ 550-​ish for my test, I couldn’t get some active noise canceling ones? The proximity to Miramar really gives you awesome jet engine noises.
For the reviews that said it is like prison: you been in a prison before? I have, it ain’t prison. More like an airport in the Middle East without the handsy security

I have taken so many exams/​continuing education here dating back to 1997 … the staff is helpful getting you situated with everything you need for your exam/​ce. It is simple to get into and get out of, there are lockers for all of your personal devices. They no longer allow you to keep cellar phones in the lockers so you probably want to keep that locked up in your car. If you need to take an exam that is regulated/​government related this is the only spot in San Diego, otherwise you have to go up to OC !

Again, not sure where the bad reviews are coming from. I had a great experience at this testing center. Although, I went prepared and checked out the center prior to my test (which I highly recommend) it reduces the jitters day-​of. Thought the staff might be irritated with that but they were very nice, helpful and even confirmed my appointment while I was there along with any questions I had.
Day-​of, the staff was very professional and accommodating within reason with what’s allowed. I took the PMP exam (4hrs) so I made use of having a locker and put my snacks, water and chap stick on top of the locker (can’t access your locker during). As others have said, leave your cell phone in the car and bring ID.
The center itself is clean, parking is easy and there’s a nice outside area with fountain for breaks (if you decided to take them). I am easily distracted and was worried about noise/​distractions but didn’t experience any. I brought my own ear plugs and they are very direct and professional about how people enter/​leave the room which helped as people weren’t hovering around.
One tip: I had planned to take a break (leave the room) every 50 questions (200 total) but ended up only leaving once and taking two mini breaks at my station. When you leave you have to sign out/​in, they check your pockets and metal detector, ID verification. It’s not long and they’re very conscious of time but for me, I didn’t want to deal with that.
In all — great experience in what is typically a stressful situation.

I had to take GRE for grad school, and I could take it at two locations… SDSU or Prometric?
Trust me! Go to Prometric! Do not make the same mistake as I did.
My experience at Prometric
— Easy and free parking
— You can take the test as you sign in and wait for your name (my test was at 12:30, but I ended up showing up early and took it around 12:15pm)
— Bigger and more staff (who are actually nice) to help you
— More organized
— Have filtered water
— Cleaner restrooms
— Make sure to leave your cellphone in the car. They will make you drop it off at the car.
My experience at SDSU
— There was an event going on and finding parking was horrible (usually you have to pay for parking too)
— You have to wait for your test time and then wait more to have your name called because there is only one staff who goes over the rules and signs you in to take the test
— The lady at check-​in is extremely rude and will try to get you by not giving you correct information right away
— She also gets frustrated when there is more than two students waiting and freak out
— Have fountain water outside
(If you are bored, read my whole story below)
I made a HUGE mistake by choosing SDSU for the first time. My test was at 12:30pm, and I showed up around 11:45am to check in… I recently got married but haven’t changed my last name on my drivers license and passport yet. I signed up with my maiden name, but I made a mistake by not bringing my passport. I told the lady who checked me in my story, and she said I had to sign up with my new last name (why?), She told me to sit down first (oh, maybe I just need my drivers license???). Time passed, and it was 12:30pm. I asked the lady… she told me I can’t take the test. WTH??? I could go home and get my passport on time to take the test, if she didn’t tell me to sit down. It was like as soon as she found out I didn’t have something, instead of telling me what I need and trying to help, she just made me waste my time… By the way, when I asked her why she asked me to sit down, she rolled her eyes and said it wasn’t her fault that I didn’t have my passport. I told her I could have asked someone to drop it off. She said, «it is too late now but you can signed up again. Our center has a lot of openings this week.» Um… I am not spending another $ 185 for her to mistreat students. I felt really humiliated. NO CUSTOMER SERVICE WHATSOEVER. DO NOT GO TO SDSU. I ended up filing an official complaint against the lady. I got my money back, but It was one of the most stressful day ever.
Of course I went to Prometric to actually take the test. Parking and checking-​in was a breeze (didn’t even asked for my passport). I also noticed staff here are willing to work with students (when I was going to the restroom, I noticed there was a student who showed up late, they still let her take the test). Just make sure you are not TOO late.

Really surprised about the negative reviews on her. Visited a few days before my MCAT just to scope the joint. Casually mentioned to the receptionist as I said goodbye that I would see her on Sunday. My exam was on Saturday, and she actually made the effort to phone me a few hours later just to confirm that I knew when the actual date was.
A lot of reviewers complained about other test takers, or even the actual test itself. The testing center didn’t choose who you would be taking your exam with or write those difficult test questions you forgot to prepare for. In fact, they do everything they can to make sure the day is as smooth and stress-​free as possible. I’ve taken an MCAT and a GRE exam here and while I hope those are my last standardized tests for a while, I’d happily take the next one at this place.

I’m so glad I read the reviews and brought a sweater. It was cold but I’m glad that it was because it kept my focus on the test. If the room was warmer the opposite effect of lethargy will set in when you need all the cylinder running for the exam. I have 3 more parts to go and I’m looking forward to going back. Leave your cell phone in the car. There are lockers to leave your snack, beverage and other small belongings. It can only get better if a coffee machine is available.

HOLY SHAT. They seriously make you jump through hoops just to get into grad school. ETS = Spawn of Satan.
Reading previous reviews for this testing center made me wonder if shelling out the $ 175 to take the GRE here was a wise decision. (Why is my life so hard? WHHYYY?) But all in all, this location wasn’t too shabby. Whew.
Scheduled my appointment at 12:30pm, but I arrived a lil before noon (I blame the nerves) and they actually let me start early. Woot, woot.
The check-​in process is easy peasy, yet a bit over the top. You’re assigned a locker and given a key to stow your belongings. Your name is called and a staff member goes through all the rules and makes sure you’re not trying to cheat by making you empty your pockets, and scanning you with a metal detector wand thing-​y. Ridiculous, I know.
None of the other reviews mentioned this, but I really like the fact that they take the time to wipe down your desk before you start. I’m a huge germaphobe and the thought of having to type on a greasy keyboard grossed me out. Ick.
The testing room looks like a regular office with a bunch of mini cubes and computers. I scored a sweet cube in the back corner with only one poor soul on my left. It does get pretty noisy with everyone frantically typing away, coughing, etc., but there are noise canceling headphones to use.
The entire staff was pleasant and one gentleman in particular was extremely nice and apologetic about the AC shutting down during the middle of my exam. I guess he saw me fanning myself on camera. Originally I thought it was me either being super nervous or having a major hot flash when it started warming up in there. HA.
Anyhoot, I’m BEYOND ECSTATIC this experience is over and done with. I finally have my life back and can do more important things… like write Unilocal reviews! Haha. Good luck future test takers. May the force be with you! Wooooo! Get excited!

More like a 3.5 but 4 is accurate
I took the GRE here on the 4^th of September and it wasn’t that bad… I parked out in the street (last minute after realizing I needed to be there a half hour early) and had about a half hour wait, so I started on time. The only thing you can take into the test is your locker key and ID. I even had to go back and put my house keys into the locker (why??). The test was all computerized and I got through the sections pretty quickly. I didn’t even take my 10 minute break ‘cuz I just wanted to be done with it. I ran out of time on 2 or 3 questions but overall, I had time to spare. Everyone was nice when I was there, so I’ve no complaints. The test went fairly smoothly and I was done within 3 hours. I guess my only complaint was that I had to pay $ 175 to take the bloody thing (the education system is a giant leech and a bubble waiting to pop, but that’s a topic for another time: D)

I’m not sure where all the negativity from previous reviewers is originating from, because I didn’t have the same experience. It was actually pretty decent.
Check in: I arrived 30 minutes early. You walk up to the receptionist, who’s nice and professional, and tells me to sign a form. After that you wait maybe 10 minutes and then they call you up saying they’re ready for you.
Right before the test: The staff will confirm your personal information and review how the test will go (ie how much time you have, what do to for breaks, if you have any questions…). They’ll ask to empty your pockets and stuff and check for any electronic devices or something, and then it’s time to take the test.
The test center: My room was pretty quiet with one slight disruption, where two people were being childish and clearing their throats and gigging. But this only happened twice and it wasn’t obnoxiously loud, just noticeable. The keyboard is slightly greasy, but that’s to be expected. Otherwise the area is clean. You’re provided with huge headphones to cancel out the noise. I took them off after 1.5 hours because it started to get uncomfortable and it was quiet enough for me to not have them on. The chair was fine. The monitor is old and so expect some eye strain. I did get a bit cold, but only my hands when I was typing the essays.
Breaks are straight forward. You do it yourself — no one excuses you. You sign in and sign out, and then sign back in. Bathrooms are close by and those are pretty clean. There’s a fountain outside too so it’s a nice place to snack on something, stretch out your legs and recover before you continue on grinding. They also provide water with small cups. I didn’t even drink out of my water bottle I brought with me (which you cannot bring with you).
Some notes:
1) If you get there a bit early, you can possibly start early. I started 15 minutes earlier, so I got out earlier.
2) Leave your phone in your car. Just do it.
3) The lockers do have locks on them, so it’s pretty safe. It’s big enough, just don’t bring a backpack.
4) The pencils are sharp, and the scratch paper is blue (so calming).
5) You’re going to do well. Don’t let the test center and its conditions distract you from doing well. Control what you can, and let go of the things you can’t.
It’s possible that the negative reviews are from people who were just really stressed out and wanted everything to be perfect. Who knows.
I hope I don’t have to come back here. Not because of the place, but because of the test itself. Good luck!

I mean no one likes to take a test so minus 1 for that. I don’t have much to complain about. They will ask you to leave you phone in the car, I didn’t and I lied to them and said I did but I made sure and turned it off. So they don’t go through the stuff you put in the lockers. You can’t bring anything of your own into the testing room. The also magic metal detector wand you. LOL, which I don’t get, maybe looking for electronic feeds to your brain or something. Maybe they think people are sneaking in bombs or guns or homemade shivs?
Not quite TSA but just a silly. I want to know why specifically metal items are what people cheat with instead of, I don’t know… paper? In my day, which wasn’t that long ago, with cheated with with dignity on paper!
And you can’t park in the front. I don’t know why, I came on a weekday and they asked me if I parked in the front. I said «no.» But I did! I did do it! I lied. LOL
I know what you are thinking, this Trish, she is one bad ass mother fucker. And you are right, I am bad ass!
Like I said I took the test on a Monday and the place was dead.
FYI, you can use a credit card as a second form of ID but not your social security card… I don’t know, I don’t get it either. I can get a credit card in my dogs name and a social security card is at least a government document. I mean I can get a job with it, and everything, heck I can even get a driver’s license with it! I could probably get a dead person’s social security card if I posed as a janitor in a mortuary but I’m really not that motivated. Point is neither one has your picture on it. This is just what I overheard, they turned someone away. Costco card? IDK.
I took my test on a Monday and the place was pretty dead. Headphones nice but I don’t want to use community head wear. I just don’t. Proctor coming in and out was a little annoying, can’t they just put a video camera on you the whole time.
It’s one of the few testing centers so, you gotta do what you gotta do!