The AAMC PREview® Professional Readiness Exam Test Day

The AAMC PREview test is an exam administered through a secure online testing environment. It includes one test section with text-based scenarios that present hypothetical dilemmas similar to what you may encounter in medical school. However, in order to perform well on the exam, the scenarios do not expect you to have had direct experience in medical school. Following each scenario, there are several behaviors that describe a response to the dilemma presented in the scenario. You will be asked to rate the effectiveness of each behavior using a 4-point scale: 1 = very ineffective, 2 = ineffective, 3 = effective, and 4 = very effective. 

The duration of the PREview exam is relatively short, at 75 minutes (1 hour, 15 minutes). The total seated time ranges between 95 and 115 minutes, which you can influence by ensuring your computer and workspace meet the required specifications before your exam start time.

It is recommended that you log in to your exam session 15 minutes prior to your exam time. At the time of your appointment, from your "Exams" page, click "Launch Assessment." You will then proceed through the check-in process. If at any time you need assistance, you can reach the proctor by using the "Chat Now" feature.

*Total session time may vary due to the required technology check for remote-proctored, online exams. You may shorten the time needed by ensuring before your exam check-in that your workspace is clear of prohibited materials, your technology meets all the required specifications, and your applications and programs are all closed. Please refer to Part 5: Taking the Professional Readiness Exam in the AAMC PREview Essentials for more information about system requirements and the online testing experience.

**When you complete your exam, you will be given the opportunity to void or score your exam and select the schools you want your scores sent to. You will have a maximum of 10 minutes to complete this task. Please note that if you do decide to void your exam, you will not be permitted to test again in the same testing season as all examinees are limited to one attempt per year. You will see the below message regarding the time permitted at the end of your exam:

The maximum time to make your selections on this page is 10 minutes. If you do not make a selection, your exam will be scored, and your score will be reported. You will not be able to void your exam or withhold your score report at a later date.

The PREview Test Day Experience Video is designed to help you become familiar with the activities that will take place when logging into and taking the PREview exam. It can be helpful for an examinee who is not familiar with our vendor, ProctorU, and it may be especially helpful for students who have not previously taken a remote-proctored, online exam. Here we will highlight the check-in process and the key functions and features of the exam platform, as well as submission and check-out.

• Please read the AAMC PREview Essentials for important information on the following topics:
  • Exam Format
  • Specifications for Your Computer and Workspace
  • Test Day Rules
  • Items Allowed in the Testing Workspace
  • Identification Requirements
  • Exam Session Check-in Procedures

If you do not provide an accepted ID that exactly matches your registered first and last names to the online proctor, you will not be allowed to test. If you are not allowed to test, you will be considered a “no-show” and will not be provided another opportunity to test during the 2023 testing year. For the full policy on ID Requirements, please refer to The AAMC Professional Readiness Exam: Essentials for Testing Year 2023.

Identification (ID) Requirements

1. The ID was issued by a government agency.
2. The ID is original — not a photocopy or digital copy of the original. Additionally, it cannot be a digital version of an ID.
3. The ID expiration date is printed on the ID — not extended by a sticker or similar mechanism.
4. The ID expiration date is after your test date.
   1. If your ID will expire before your scheduled test day, you are responsible for obtaining a renewed ID prior to your exam. 
5. The ID includes your visible signature, which you will be asked to duplicate on test day.
6. The ID contains a photo that can be used to positively identify you.
7. The ID is tangible and whole, with no evidence of tampering (clipped corners, holes, etc.).
8. The ID is in English. 

The most common forms of accepted ID are state driver’s license and passport.

Reasons an ID may not be accepted include:

You will take the exam on a desktop or laptop of your choice and are responsible for ensuring it meets the following technical requirements. You must install the Guardian Browser to take the exam. If you intend to take the exam using any equipment or network other than your own, you must ensure that you are able to share your screen through a LogMeIn file and access other security features. Universities and employers often have firewalls or software that may suppress access to the required security features, which will prevent you from taking the exam. You may not take your exam on a phone or tablet.

*MacOS X Catalina users: Catalina has added security features that require additional permissions for certain applications, such as LogMeIn Rescue, the software we use to connect you to a proctor. If you are using MacOS Catalina, this permission process will take a few additional minutes to complete. ProctorU proctors or support personnel can help walk you through this process. Please review this ProctorU Tip Sheet for additional information.

Additional Technical Requirements

• Ensure that you have the ability to download and install programs/applications on the computer you intend to write your examination on. The Guardian browser must be installed to take the exam; it is recommended that you do so prior to exam day. The browser will shut down applications that are not allowed to run during the delivery of the PREview exam. 
• Download the Guardian Secure Proctoring Browser: 
  • Windows Download
  • Mac (Intel) Download
  • Mac (M1) Download
• A functioning microphone. (Some web cameras have a built-in microphone).
• Test your equipment.

Environmental Requirements 

• You must be in a private, well-lit room. Additionally, your computer screen must not be visible to others, including from windows into your workspace.
• Clear your workspace from all materials and clutter that could be construed as prohibited material or could obstruct the proctor’s ability to confirm you do not have prohibited material.
• Have your photo ID ready.
• Close all third-party programs on your computer and disconnect from any virtual machines.
• Remove all nonreligious head coverings.
• Remove additional monitors from the room. (Dual monitors are not allowed during the exam.)
• Remove watches.
• Sit on a hard surface other than the floor (not a bed or couch). Additionally, place your computer on a hard surface other than the floor.
• Have a mirror or reflective surface to show the proctor the monitor. This can include a cell phone with a front-facing camera or an external USB camera. This ensures there are no notes or writing attached to the monitor. Once this process is completed with the remote proctor, you must put your cell phone away and remove it from your workstation.

If at any time during your exam the proctor has reason to believe you are using prohibited items or engaging in prohibited behaviors as described below, your proctor may interrupt or terminate your exam. The proctor may interrupt your exam to request clarification of your activity, request that you cease the prohibited activity, and will terminate your exam if you fail to comply with the proctor’s instructions.

Prohibited activities include (unless previously approved as an accommodation on the PREview exam): 

• Searching for potential responses online in advance or while completing the exam.
• Engaging in any activity the proctor requests you cease while completing the exam. Such activities include but are not limited to:
  • Unapproved break.
  • Leaving your seat.
  • Talking, even to yourself.
  • Eating.
• Engaging in verbal or other abuse, harassment, or threats toward the exam proctor.
• At any time after check-in and prior to completing the exam session, possessing, accessing, or using:
  • Electronic devices, including cellular phones.
  • Cameras or recording equipment of any kind.
  • Books, notes, or any other written materials.
  • Headphones or earbuds.
  • Any other unapproved personal items. Please refer to the Resources Not Requiring Prior Approval for information on items allowed in the room while you are testing. Please note that while some items do not require approval for use, we do ask you to notify the PREview team if you require the use of certain items, so that we can inform ProctorU in advance of your scheduled exam and ensure a smooth test day experience. Any item not on this list that you possess, access, or use during the exam may result in an interruption and/or termination of your exam. 

The following will result in immediate exam termination by the proctor: 

• Impersonating an examinee or engaging someone else to complete the exam for you.
• Attempting by any means to duplicate, record, or memorize exam content or items.
• Unless otherwise approved by the AAMC, do not:
  • Take the exam in the presence of others, including family or other members of your household, dormitory, workplace, etc. Please do not allow children or pets to enter the room, as the motion may alert the proctor and require an interruption.
  • Receive assistance from anyone during the exam.
  • Provide assistance to another examinee during the exam. 

If the proctor interrupts or terminates your exam for a potential violation, the AAMC will conduct an investigation. Please refer to The AAMC Professional Readiness Exam: Essentials for Testing Year 2023 for information on the investigation process and potential outcomes. Please note that you are allowed one exam attempt per year, and a terminated exam counts as one attempt. The AAMC, at its sole discretion, may offer a retake of the exam depending on the outcome of its investigation.

If you need assistance in accessing or launching your PREview exam on test day you may contact Meazure Learning for assistance :  Phone: 1-855-772-8678 (available 24/7); Chat

If you believe that a technology issue in Yardstick’s Measure system interfered with your performance on the exam and you wish to have the AAMC research what occurred, you must complete the following two steps. One form of notification does not cancel out the other and both will allow the AAMC to follow-up with you directly, in a timely manner:

1. Notify the proctor when the issue occurs or before ending your exam.
2. Submit a completed Technology Issue Report Form to askpreview@aamc.org within 24 hours of the experienced technology issue to receive prioritized review. Review of a completed form submitted after this may be delayed. If an exam irregularity is confirmed, you may be given the opportunity to retake the exam at the AAMC’s sole discretion. 

Notifying the proctor when an issue occurs will allow the proctor to assess and possibly correct the problem so you can continue testing. Further, your report to the proctor will aid Yardstick and the AAMC if we need to research the issue after your exam. Failure to report a problem to the proctor may hinder our ability to resolve the issue and offer you an opportunity to retake the exam due to a verifiable technology issue. 

If you do not report an issue and the AAMC subsequently learns that a technology issue occurred, we will contact you if the issue affects our ability to score your exam.