Gameplan certification
Certification guides
Step-by-step guides for running and taking certification exams on Gameplan. Find your role below to see what to do before, during, and after exam day.
Testing Center Administrators
Set up your Testing Center, manage Proctors and review results.
4 guides
Proctors
Prepare Exam Sessions, verify Candidates and run the exam.
2 guides
Candidates
Get ready, take your exam and find your certificate.
3 guides
Glossary
New to a term? Look up what Vouchers, Exam Sessions and lockdown environments mean.
Browse terms
Testing Center Administrators
Set up your Testing Center, manage Proctors and accommodations, and follow up on results after the exam.
01
Before the exam day
As a Testing Center Administrator, you’re responsible for helping prepare your Testing Center for certification exams. This includes making sure the Testing Center is set up, managing Proctors, arranging Candidate accommodations, and helping prepare Exam Sessions.
02
After the exam day
After an Exam Session has ended, you can review the results for the session, access Candidate certificates, and review any disqualification reports.
03
Microsoft Take a Test (Optional)
Microsoft Take a Test is an app built into Windows 10 and 11 that locks a computer down while a Candidate takes a certification exam. It opens Gameplan full screen and keeps Candidates on its certification pages, so they can’t use other apps, search the web or take screenshots during the exam.
04
Gameplan Secure Exam Environment (Optional)
Gameplan Secure Exam Environment is a desktop app that locks a Windows or Mac computer down while a Candidate takes a certification exam. It shows Gameplan’s exam pages and nothing else, so Candidates can’t use other apps, search the web or take screenshots during the exam.
Proctors
Prepare your Exam Sessions, verify Candidates, and keep the exam secure and fair on exam day.
01
Before the exam day
As a Proctor, you make sure Exam Sessions at your Testing Center run smoothly. You prepare for upcoming exams, make sure Candidates have the information they need, support them on exam day, and keep the exam secure and fair.
02
During the exam
On exam day, you help Candidates join the Exam Session, verify their identities, release the exam and monitor Candidates throughout it.
Candidates
Get ready for your exam, know what happens on exam day, and find your certificate afterward.
01
Before the exam day
This guide walks you through what to prepare before your certification exam.
02
On the exam day
On exam day, you join your Exam Session, get accepted by your Proctor and take your certification exam.
03
After the exam day
If you passed, you can access your certificate. If you didn’t, you may be able to retake the exam with another attempt on your voucher.
Glossary
Key terms used across the certification guides, explained in plain language.
Accommodation
An adjustment to how a Candidate takes the exam.
Candidate
A person taking a certification exam.
Candidate ID
A unique ID a Candidate receives when they complete their Candidate Profile. Testing Center Administrators can use it to request accommodations for a Candidate outside their organization.
Candidate Profile
A Candidate’s full name and date of birth, as shown on their valid ID. The name on their certificates comes from it.
Certificate
Proof that a Candidate passed a certification exam. It expires 3 years after it’s issued.
Disqualification
Ending a Candidate’s exam attempt when they shouldn’t be allowed to continue. The attempt counts as used, and the incident is reported to Gameplan.
Exam attempt
One try at a certification exam. It starts when the Candidate clicks Start exam and uses one of the attempts on their voucher.
Exam Session
A sitting of a certification exam at a Testing Center, on-site or remote, run by one or more Proctors on a set day.
Exam Session Application
A Candidate’s request to join an Exam Session, sent when they choose a voucher. A Proctor accepts or rejects it after verifying the Candidate’s identity.
Exam Session Code
The code Candidates enter to join an Exam Session. It only works on the day of the session.
Gameplan Secure Exam Environment
A desktop app that locks a Windows or Mac computer down during the exam. An Exam Session can require it.
Lockdown environment
An app that locks a computer down during the exam, so Candidates can’t use other apps or websites. An Exam Session can require Microsoft Take a Test, Gameplan Secure Exam Environment or both. When it requires both, each Candidate can use either.
Microsoft Take a Test
An app built into Windows 10 and 11 that locks the computer down during the exam. An Exam Session can require it.
Proctor
A person who runs Exam Sessions. Proctors verify Candidates’ identities, accept their applications, release the exam and supervise Candidates during it.
Reconnection code
A code that lets a Candidate return to an exam they’ve already started. The Proctor enters it on the Candidate’s computer, or reads it out over the video call in a remote Exam Session.
Redeemed voucher
A voucher whose code a Candidate has entered while signed in to Gameplan. It’s linked to their account for good, and redeeming it doesn’t use an exam attempt.
Release Exam
The Proctor’s step that lets accepted Candidates start the exam. It’s done once for the whole Exam Session.
Retake waiting period
How long a Candidate must wait before taking the exam again after failing. An Exam Session can waive it.
Testing Center
A school or organization set up with Gameplan to hold certification exams.
Testing Center Administrator (TCA)
A person who manages a Testing Center, its Proctors, accommodation requests and Exam Sessions. They can also proctor.
Universal accommodations
Tools every Candidate can use during the exam without a request, such as magnification (larger text), read aloud, English or Spanish, and alternative fonts.
Valid ID
An ID with the Candidate’s photo and signature. A Proctor who knows the Candidate personally can confirm their identity without it.
Voucher
What gives a Candidate access to a certification exam, with one or more exam attempts. A Candidate gets one as a voucher code or from an Exam Session’s voucher pool.
Voucher pool
Vouchers added to an Exam Session for Candidates who don’t have their own. A Candidate gets one when a Proctor accepts their application.