Examination Policies

Exam Conduct

USPEC adheres to all principles of impartiality to ensure the exam and other activities are undertaken fairly and objectively. Any concerns about impartiality or exam conduct are taken seriously and promptly addressed.

Essential Guidelines

Arrive at your desk 30-50 minutes before the exam starts to check the internet, system, review terms, conditions, and policies. The mock exam will be available 24 hours prior to the main exam. Make sure to take the mock exam and familiarize yourself thoroughly with all terms, conditions, and policies beforehand.

Consider the guidelines provided below to better understand how an examinee behaves during an examination. Contact us if you have any specific questions before your examination so we can provide you with more clarity.

• Do not carry any personal items, except for the computer/laptop being used for the exam and its connected webcam and mouse. Mobile phones, digital assistants, reading material including USPEC handbooks, tablets, e-readers, digital watches, and all other electronics except calculators are prohibited.
• Remain fully visible on the exam screen at all times (No breaks allowed). Any partial visibility may result in the termination of your exam. Relocating during the exam is strictly prohibited.
• Using digital assistants, notes, books, wristwatch calculators, electronic dictionaries, or other aids/devices
• Please ensure that all browser tabs and applications are closed and signed out during the examination, particularly if you are using a work computer or laptop. Incoming email or chat notifications may result in the automatic termination of the exam session.

If the policies are not followed, the proctor's decisions during the exam session, including termination of the exam for non-compliance, are final and cannot be appealed.

Exam Integrity

• Examinees must not engage in any behavior that could compromise the exam's integrity, such as copying questions, taking screenshots, or recording the exam.
• Dissemination of exam content during or after completing the exam is strictly forbidden.
• The United States Private Equity Council (USPEC) retains sole ownership of the exam and all related materials. Any intentional or unintentional actions that contravene USPEC's exam policies and procedures during or after the exam will be deemed a violation.

Please note: Consequences of the aforementioned violations may include stringent penal action.

Exam Appeals

Appeals will be reviewed by USPEC in accordance with the policies and procedures, and best practices to ensure fairness and integrity of the examination process.

Acceptable Grounds for examination appeals include but are not limited to the administration, and examination content. Examinees may submit an appeal under the following circumstances:

1. Examination Administration Appeals

An examinee may appeal a failing exam result where the examinee believes that an exam administration condition negatively affected their ability to complete or pass the examination (administration appeal). Such appeals are limited to examinee complaints regarding unforeseen examination platform disruptions and issues, exam administration issues, and the conduct of personnel present during the exam administration. In order for an administrative appeal to be considered the examinee must:

• Promptly report and identify the exam administration condition or issue to the exam proctor or examination administrator at the exam center immediately following the examination administration, and provide all relevant information requested by the proctor/administrator concerning the condition or issue necessary to complete a Case Report with the examination provider.
• Submit the appeal as outlined in this policy, the narrative must describe the exam administration condition or issue affecting the examinee’s performance on the examination. Appeals concerning examination conditions shall be considered only if exam candidates reported examination experience or irregularities that may have impacted their performance here within 72 hours of exam administration.

2. Examination Content Appeal

An examinee may appeal one or more specific examination items and/or answers as inaccurate or incorrect; where the examinee believes that their failure to receive credit for such items and/or answers caused the examinee to fail the examination (content appeal). In order for a content appeal to be considered, the examinee must in the appeal narrative:

• the specific exam items and/or answers subject to the appeal and a detailed narrative explaining why the examinee believes that the identified exam items and/or answers are inaccurate or incorrect and be supported by references to relevant professional sources, particularly peer-reviewed, scholarly literature that show that the identified exam items and/or answers are inaccurate or incorrect.

A candidate appealing improper questions may appeal the decision of USPEC by submitting a written appeal within thirty (30) days after receiving notification of results on the myUSPEC dashboard.

3. Disciplinary Action in pre and post-exam scenarios

Candidacy Reconsideration Form

Examinees seeking to dispute any action or decision regarding their candidacy may download and fill up the Candidacy Reconsideration Request Form and send it to here for initiating the process and action.

4. No Show or Emergencies

Examinees missing a scheduled exam because of emergencies, should directly contact USPEC to report matter. The following reasons for missing out on, or not showing up for a scheduled USPEC exam have been defined as acceptably genuine, and deemed as justified for grant of Retake permissions if requested:

• If examinees themselves or any of their immediate family members meet a serious accident, or develop a sudden medical condition demanding serious attention.
• If there is a bereavement in the family.
• If examinees have been unfortunately affected by infections, or are under quarantine, or are facing immobility due to restrictions or disruptions.
• If examinees are summoned by courts, or are drafted on juries, or are required for some urgent national duty.

Examinees forced to miss out on their scheduled exam for any of the above-mentioned reasons are required to contact USPEC and request for a Retake by submitting doctor’s or hospital certificates etc., as proofs of the emergency encountered.

Note- The fee is non-refundable. However, if the case is not listed under our no-show policy, an additional fee of USD 50 will be charged to reapply for the exam.

Unacceptable Grounds for Examination Administration or Examination Content Appeals.

The following grounds cannot serve as the basis of an examination administration or content appeal, and USPEC will not accept such examination appeals:

• The examinee’s lack of knowledge or understanding of the exam administration policies or procedures. All examinees are required to read and understand the policies and procedures identified in the guide prior to attending the examination.
• The examinee’s failure to follow examination administration instructions: provided by the exam proctor or examination administrator related to the examination administration; or, included as part of the examination tutorial prior to initiating the exam.
• Examinee errors or omissions related to understanding examination items, or understanding or recording answers, except those caused by circumstances outside the examinee’s control.
• Computer-related problems that do not impact the administration of the examination, and that are resolved by the exam proctor or examination administrator within thirty (30) minutes, including power outages, electrical surges, or other circumstances.
• Reasonable and commonly occurring sounds and noises in the examination center or room.
• Late arrival for the exam administration appointment. Or not showing up for the examination administration appointment.
• The validity of the content of the examination in general.
• The passing score of the examination established by USPEC the process used to determine the passing score.

All appellants will provide written narratives and supporting documentation to USPEC via the form here. All appellants will receive an outcome of their appeal within 90 days of appeal submission.

Exam Scheduling and Cancellation

Examinees must follow proper protocols and procedures before and after the exam. Please be mindful of the following guidelines:

• Exam Scheduling

  Once registered, you will have 365 days to prepare, study, and take the exam. It is essential to schedule the examination at least 30 days prior to the completion of the 365-day period to secure the preferred exam schedule. Your exam scheduling window closes 10 days prior to the completion of the 365-day period. To schedule your exam after the expiration of 365 days, you will be required to pay a nominal fee of USD 50 through the myUSPEC dashboard.

  If you fail to show up for the exam as scheduled, you will be marked as 'No Show’. To appeal this classification, you should contact USPEC within 48-96 hours of the missed exam for consideration.

• Exam Rescheduling

  To reschedule your exam, kindly log into your myUSPEC account at least 72 hours prior to your original exam schedule. Please note that rescheduling within less than 72 hours of your scheduled exam will incur a fee of USD 50, payable through your myUSPEC dashboard.

• Exam Cancellation

  To cancel your scheduled exam, kindly log into your myUSPEC account at least 72 hours prior to the original exam date. Please be advised that a nominal fee of USD 50 will be charged for voluntarily canceling your exam and rescheduling it for a later date.

• Reapplying for the exam

  In the event of an unsuccessful outcome on your first attempt, you have the opportunity to reapply for the exam. You can schedule your exam for a nominal fee of USD 50, soon after your results are released on the myUSPEC dashboard.

Examinees are allowed to retake the exam as many times as needed, with a fee for each attempt. However, it is advised to aim for successful completion on the first try.

Exam Security

Maintaining the security and confidentiality of the examination is a critical aspect of establishing a successful and highly regarded professional certification credential. It is important that candidates comply with USPEC's security procedures and policies during exams to ensure a fair examination environment.

Exam violations are serious breaches of professional conduct and are not accepted by the institute. These violations can include but are not limited to, cheating, engaging in suspicious behavior during the exam, attempting to record or capture exam questions or materials, publishing the exam content on any public internet site, providing or receiving assistance, engaging in misconduct, and failing to comply with USPEC exam policies and rules which may be amended from time to time. Such violations can result in severe consequences, including exam score invalidation and disciplinary action. It is important for examinees to adhere to the highest standards of ethical behavior and comply with all exam policies and rules.

In the event of unethical behavior or a compromise of exam integrity, the proctor reserves the right to immediately halt an examinee’s participation in the exam. This decisive action will be taken if it is determined that the examinee has intentionally sought an unfair advantage. The proctor's decision will be deemed conclusive and binding, with no room for appeal or dispute.

Examinee ID Policy

If the examinee is taking the online-proctored exam:

• USPEC exams are real-time proctored, and delivered in the private mode keeping the convenience of examinees in mind. Which means you can now take your exam in the convenience of your personal spaces – like your home or your office – after getting your computer machine and exam room ExamStrong™ verified for exam readiness.
• It is suggested that the examinee should reach her chosen exam room/ location at least 30 mins in advance of the scheduled exam-start time to ensure that the exam room and the computer being used for exam is thoroughly checked, verified and approved for exam-taking by a designated USPEC-authorized testing body.
• Examinees arriving later than 50 minutes prior to the exam start-time shall not be permitted for taking the exam, and the fee may be forfeited.
• No personal items should be taken into the testing room. This includes all kinds of bags, books not authorized by USPEC, notes, phones, tablets, pagers, watches, and wallets. You can read more on the rules in the exam-process documents shared with you.
• The examinee must carry two valid forms of ID from the list below. Please note that both IDs can either be primary IDs or one primary and one secondary ID.

What to bring

Primary ID

The primary ID must be an original and valid ID, containing both, the examinee’s photo, and signature.

• Government-issued driver's license
• Passport
• Military ID
• State/country ID card
• Employee/school ID

Secondary ID

The secondary ID must be an original and valid ID, containing the examinee’s name and signature, or the examinee’s name and a recent photo.

Audit Policy

USPEC conducts random audits to verify the accuracy of applicants' information and assess the credibility of candidates. It is essential to participate in the audit, submit the required documents within the deadline, and ensure they are correct. Failure to comply may lead to disqualification from taking the exam or revocation of earned credentials.

Selecting candidates for audit

USPEC is committed to maintaining the highest standards in credentialing and upholding the integrity of its examination, certification, and awarding process. To achieve this goal, USPEC conducts a random auditing process that helps to ensure that the information provided by candidates is accurate and credible and that the standards of USPEC are consistently upheld.

Please note: The audit process is random and does not involve selecting candidates based on specific criteria.