Virtual Exam Demonstration
We have updated our virtual exam experience! Preview the steps you take to launch your exam, the exam format, and the tools you can use during the exam.
How to Register for Your Exam
Register for your virtual exam online, or call Customer Success at 1-800-644-2101. Hot tip: Purchase before the exam window opens to save!
Register For Your Virtual Exam
Register for your virtual exam in My Courses & Exams, on your designation page. Choose your exam window and VIRTUAL.
- Purchase before the exam window opens to save up to $80 per exam.
- Once purchased, exams appear in your account under My Courses.
- Access your exam when the testing window opens, and complete any time until 11:59 p.m. ET on the final day of the window.*
- If you do not complete by the deadline, the exam will be removed from your account. You will need to register and pay for another exam.
*Exam windows that close on a weekend will be extended to the following business day.
How to Prepare For Your Exam
Virtual exams include application-based questions, which means you need to apply your knowledge of course material to a real-life scenario and answer a question.
Ways to Prepare for Virtual Exams
- Review course materials, then complete practice tests and simulated exams
- Get study tips and community support on The Institutes Chat Facebook Group.
- Getting Started offers tips on meeting your goals, sample study guides, and more.
How to Complete Your Exam
Complete your virtual exam anytime during the testing window, from any location with an internet connection.
Follow These Steps to Complete Your Virtual Exam
- Log in to your Institutes account, click on My Courses & Exams, find and launch your exam.
- Complete the Exam Administration Affidavit and Agreement, agreeing to The Institutes’ Code of Academic and Professional Integrity and The Institutes Rules of Conduct.
- The timer starts when you click Start Attempt; it cannot be paused. You have one attempt and 65 minutes to complete 50 questions.*
- You will be notified of pass/non-pass status immediately upon completion—70% or above is a passing score.
- Your student record will update within 48 hours.
- If you have trouble accessing your exam, try opening another browser, including Chrome, Safari, Edge or Firefox.
Retakes and Transfers
Retake any exam once in the same testing window. Virtual retakes are $80 off the standard price if you retake in the same testing window!
- Learn about retakes here.
- After Exam Day can help with other post-exam questions.
Need to transfer your exam? If you are not ready to test, visit the My Courses and Exams page and transfer eligible exams to the next testing window or contact Customer Success at (800) 644-2101, until 6 p.m. by the last business day of the testing window. A non-refundable $95 transfer fee applies.
PURCHASE RETAKETechnical Requirements for Virtual Exams
To maintain the integrity of the exam process and ensure a smooth testing experience, make sure you follow these requirements:
Operating System:
- Windows 10 or Windows 11 (If using Windows there is no additional software download required)
- Mac OS - most recent 2 releases (You must download "SecureClient" from the Mac App Store)
Web Browser:
- Google Chrome
- Microsoft Edge
- Mozilla Firefox
- Safari
Internet:
- A reliable internet connection is essential for completing the exam without interruptions.
Virtual Exam FAQs
-
When can I test/When do you offer exams?
We offer exams in four testing windows throughout the year:
- Quarter 1 – January 15th – March 15th
- Quarter 2 – April 15th – June 15th
- Quarter 3 – July 15th – September 15th
- Quarter 4 – October 15th – December 15th
You can complete your exam at any time in the testing window that you registered for. Access your exam from your Account when the window opens, and complete any time until 11:59 p.m. ET on the final day of the window.*
*Exam windows that close on a weekend will be extended to the following business day.
-
What is the length and timing of virtual exams?
Virtual exams are timed: you have 65 minutes to complete 50 questions.*
-
What do I need to test virtually?
- A quiet testing space free of distraction or interruption.
- A reliable internet connection.
- An internet-connected device with Chrome, Edge, Safari, or Firefox browser.
-
Can I use a calculator while testing virtually?
You may use a basic function calculator that does not have memory storage. You may not use an advanced calculator with memory storage for alphanumeric characters or a phone-based calculator.
-
Can I retake virtually?
Yes. You can retake once per window, and save $80 if you register and test again in the same window.
-
What segment exams are available virtually?
Some exams are offered in a segmented format. Segmented exams break a traditional exam into three separate exams that are shorter in length. Examinees prepare for and take each segment individually; passing all segmented exams for a single course earns credit for the entire course. Segment exams are available for AIT 24, AAI 301, 302, 303 and WCCA 10, 11, 12, 14, 15.
-
Can I get state CE for continuing education?
Yes, you can get state CE. To find out if your course is approved for State Licensed CE credits, go to State CE Credit & License Information.
The Institutes file state CE credits according to state requirements. You are responsible for following the virtual exam proctor requirements for your state. If you’re testing onsite, it’s your responsibility to verify that the center and proctor comply with CE requirements for test administration.
To ensure prompt filing of your state CE credits, go to your Institutes account and locate the State Continuing License information. Or call The Institutes before your exam to update your records. CE credits will not be reported without current license information on file prior to sitting for an exam. Failure to provide The Institutes with your current license information in accordance with the codes, policies, or regulations of your state(s) may result in CE credits not being filed.
Please note that The Institutes will not be responsible for any late filing fees or charges. When you pass your exam, we will file your CE credit in all the requested states.
-
What are the pass rates for The Institutes Designations' exams and what score do I need to pass?
While exam outcomes vary based on the student and the material, the average pass ratio for an Institutes Designations' exam is 72.5%.
To pass an Institutes exam, the minimum score you need is 70%.
-
What type of questions will be on my exam?
You may see a variety of types of questions on both your simulated exam and credentialing exam to see how well you can apply your knowledge. Click here for frequently asked questions about exams.
-
Do you offer special accommodations?
Special accommodations for an exam must be in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Thirty days prior to your exam date, please email documentation no more than three years old to Assessments@TheInstitutes.org. It must include:
- A school plan, such as an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a 504 plan
- A diagnostic statement from a qualified professional identifying the disability
- A description reflecting your past and current functional limitations
- An evaluation conducted by a qualified professional that lists their name, title and professional credentials
Students seeking special accommodations for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) must submit documentation that verifies their eligibility under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the ADA, and the ADA Amendments Act.
Documentation must describe a disabling condition, which is defined by the presence of substantial limitations in one or more major life activities. Merely submitting evidence of a diagnosis is not sufficient to warrant academic accommodations.
At a minimum, all documentation in support of an ADHD and/or an anxiety disorder should include the following information:
- DSM-5 or ICD Diagnosis, including date of diagnosis and date of last contact. Evaluations must have been completed in the in last three years.
- Evaluation: A summary statement including information regarding the onset, longevity, and severity of the symptoms.
- Functional Limitations:
- Major life activities that are functionally limited by the individual’s symptoms.
- Behavioral manifestations of the diagnosis that functionally limits the individual in the academic setting.
- Accommodations: Suggested recommendations, modifications and/or accommodations for exam administration.
When you receive approval from Assessments@TheInstitutes.org, register for your exam and Assessments will contact you with specific details.
-
Do you offer any special exam fee reductions?
Purchase before the exam window opens to get $80 off virtual exams. Other special fee reductions are available for:
Students, Teachers and Regulators
You qualify for 50% off the standard exam fee if you are engaged full-time as:
- A teacher or student in an accredited college or university in the US or its possessions
- An employee of a state or federal insurance regulatory agency (including IRES) in the US or its possessions
You must submit the exam registration form and a letter from your college registrar, department head, or government employer specifying full-time status each time you register. Restrictions apply; the following do not qualify for reduced fee:
- CAS exams.
- Full-time students who are also employed full-time.
- Segmented exams.
Active Duty Military and Reservists
You qualify for 50% off the standard exam fee if you are a either full-time active-duty member or a reservist in the United States military (Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, and Navy). We require proof of status for eligibility.
While deployed in a combat zone outside the continental United States, The Institutes will provide free exams and study materials to full-time active-duty members of the United States military. For eligibility, we require proof of duty status and proof of deployment orders.
For further information, please contact Customer Success at CustomerSuccess@TheInstitutes.org.
-
How can I order an exam?
You can order your exam online from your Progress Tracker or the designation page, by calling Customer Success at (800) 644-2101, or by completing and submitting the form in the Registration Booklet.