Worcester Prometric Testing

I took an exam at this site yesterday. Overall the experience was good. (I passed my test, so can’t complain too much.) It was clean and organized, and the staff were friendly. The computer worked as it should, and the desk was spacious.
I got there right at 8:30 for a 9:00 test, as recommended, figuring that I’d get to start early. But I was about #10 in line to get checked in to get the test started. So if you are an eager beaver and want to start early, get there before they recommend. But if you do start early, they will be bringing others in to start their tests while you are working. They’re reasonably quiet, but it can still be distracting. Specifically ask for the earplugs if you want them — if you don’t, you just get the ear muff /​headphone type things, which don’t work very well.
I had a 6-​hour test with an hour break in the middle. So I brought my lunch, and there were a few tables where you could sit to eat just outside the testing rooms. But there wasn’t much space and there were a lot of people coming in and out, so I ended up just taking my food out to my car and sitting there to eat. Also, be warned that lockers are small. Big enough for a jacket, a purse and a lunch, but that’s all. They do have a water cooler outside the testing room if you need a drink, which is nice.
My biggest complaint is that there is only a single restroom for women and one for men, and that’s it. So if you need to take an unscheduled break during your exam to use the restroom and someone else is in there, you’re out of luck — you’ll have to wait. And it takes time to check in and check out of the testing room if you take a break, so you won’t want to waste that time going back in and then back out again.
Overall, not a bad experience. Can’t compare it to other centers in the area, but if you have to take a test there, it’s just fine.

I had to mull this experience over for a bit before I wrote this review. (For those of you that will soon be suffering through the GRE that would be «cogitate»)
On the plus side: this facility is easy to get to off the highway, had a reasonable size parking lot, was clean, and the staff was friendly. The computer and keyboard were in good shape and there was plenty of room at the desk on both sides.
However…on the negative side: I had to take a 4 hour test that’s not exactly easy with what sounded like a tree shredder running outside. Literally. Now they offer you some uncomfortable ear plugs or some ear muff type things, but neither are really comfortable and seem to be as distracting as the noise in some regards.
Was this a one day thing? Sure this kind of stuff rarely happens, but it DID happen. Did it affect my score? Who knows but I want silence and to be able to concentrate. Should you worry about it? Nah.
For those who may be going it’s part of an office type building on a back road near a mall. You’ll have to look for the address or you may miss the small sign for the place as you’re driving along. (It’ll be on your right) A pleasant place that was uncrowded and professional, but again not exactly a 5 star experience. They lost that chance when I found out they were out of cups for the water cooler, and I’ll tell you, after those damned essays I could have sure used some.