AWS Online Proctoring Survival Guide: Don't Get Your Exam Revoked

You studied for weeks. You scheduled your AWS certification exam online because it seemed more convenient than driving to a test center. You sat down, started answering questions, and then your proctor terminated your exam.

No warning. No second chance. Exam revoked.

This is not a hypothetical scenario. It happens every single week, and the stories on AWS re:Post and Reddit are enough to make any candidate think twice about online proctoring.

This guide covers everything you need to know to protect yourself, your money, and your months of preparation.

The Horror Stories Are Real

Before we get into the survival guide, you need to understand what you are up against. These are real complaints pulled from AWS re:Post forums, Reddit, and Medium:

Exam revoked for "moving front and back in chair" - A candidate who had been studying for three months had their exam revoked because the proctor flagged them for rocking slightly in their chair. No verbal warning was given.

Exam terminated for "leaning in" to read questions - Another candidate leaned closer to their monitor to read a diagram-heavy question. The proctor interpreted this as suspicious behavior and ended the session.

Proctor mistook a mirror reflection for another person - A candidate had a mirror on the wall behind them. During the room scan, the proctor saw the reflection and flagged it as a second person in the room. Exam terminated.

browserlock.exe not loading - Multiple candidates report the Pearson VUE OnVUE software failing to launch properly, crashing during the system check, or the browser lock not engaging, forcing them to reschedule.

Internet speed test failures - Even with a 100+ Mbps connection, some candidates fail the pre-exam connectivity test due to firewall settings, VPN remnants, or ISP routing issues.

The worst part? The appeal process goes through aws-exam-security@amazon.com, and resolution typically takes four to six weeks. Only AWS Certification Operations can review revocations, not Pearson VUE. During that time, you are in limbo, not knowing if you will get a retake or lose your exam fee entirely.

At $150 for Associate exams and $300 for Professional and Specialty exams, plus all the time you invested studying, getting your exam revoked is devastating.

Online Proctoring vs. Test Center: The Real Comparison

The honest recommendation: If you have a test center within a reasonable driving distance, use it. The convenience of online proctoring is not worth the risk for most people. Save online proctoring for when a test center genuinely is not an option.

Step-by-Step Online Exam Setup Checklist

If you decide to go online, preparation is everything. Do not wing this.

Two Weeks Before

• Download OnVUE software and run the system test at home.pearsonvue.com. Do this on the actual computer you will use, in the actual room you will use.
• Test your internet connection multiple times. You need a minimum of 1 Mbps upload and download, but aim for much higher. Wired ethernet is strongly recommended over WiFi.
• Check your webcam and microphone. The system needs to see you clearly and hear you. External webcams work but must be positioned correctly.
• Verify your ID. You need a government-issued photo ID where your name matches your AWS Certification account exactly. No nicknames, no abbreviations. If your ID says "Robert" and your account says "Bob," you will have a problem.

One Week Before

• Choose your room and start preparing it. The room must have:

  • A closed door (that you can show during the room scan)
  • A completely clear desk (nothing on it except your computer, monitor, keyboard, and mouse)
  • No papers, books, notebooks, sticky notes, or writing materials of any kind
  • No second monitors (disconnect and remove them, do not just turn them off)
  • No phones, tablets, smartwatches, or any electronics in the room
  • No whiteboards with writing on them
  • No mirrors (remove them or cover them completely)
  • No other people in the room or nearby where they could be heard
  • Walls clear of any posters, notes, or materials with text

• Do a dry run. Sit in the room, run the system test again, and do a 360-degree room scan with your webcam to see what the proctor will see. Look for reflective surfaces, background items that could be flagged, and anything that could be misinterpreted.

Day Before

• Close all other applications and restart your computer. The OnVUE software needs a clean system.
• Disable automatic updates on your operating system. An update popup during your exam will cause problems.
• Disable antivirus temporarily if it has been known to interfere with proctoring software. Some antivirus programs block the browser lock feature.
• Turn off all notifications - system notifications, email alerts, calendar reminders, everything.
• Charge your laptop fully if using one, and keep it plugged in.
• Tell everyone in your household that you will be taking an exam and cannot be disturbed for the next 2-3 hours. No knocking on the door, no calling your name, no pets entering the room.

Exam Day (30 Minutes Before)

• Close every single application on your computer except the OnVUE software.
• Disconnect any external drives, USB devices, and peripherals you do not need.
• Put your phone in another room entirely. Not on silent, not face down. In another room.
• Remove your smartwatch and leave it outside the room.
• Ensure your desk is completely bare except for your computer setup.
• Have your ID ready but not covering anything on your desk.
• Go to the bathroom before starting. You cannot leave the camera view during the exam.
• Get water if you need it. A clear, unlabeled water bottle is typically allowed, but nothing with a label.

What to Do (And NOT Do) During the Exam

Do These Things

• Sit still and face the screen. This sounds obvious, but it is the number one source of revocations.
• Keep your hands visible at all times. The proctor needs to see your hands are not referencing hidden materials.
• Read questions silently. Do not read aloud or mouth the words. Proctors may flag lip movement as communicating with someone.
• Look at the screen, not around the room. Repeatedly looking away from the screen triggers flags.
• If you need to stretch or adjust, do it slowly and deliberately. Quick movements trigger the AI monitoring.
• If the proctor contacts you via chat, respond immediately and politely. They are watching multiple people and have limited patience.

Absolutely Do NOT Do These Things

• Do not lean toward or away from the screen excessively. This is the single most common reason for exam terminations. If you cannot read the screen from a normal sitting position, increase your font size or monitor resolution before starting.
• Do not rock in your chair or fidget. Nervous movement is natural during exams, but repetitive body movement gets flagged.
• Do not cover your mouth with your hand. This looks like you are whispering to someone.
• Do not look down at your lap. The proctor cannot see your lap and will assume you have a phone or notes there.
• Do not leave the frame of your webcam. Not even for a second. If you drop a pen (you should not have one), leave it on the floor.
• Do not talk. Not to yourself, not to read the question, not to express frustration. Silence only.
• Do not have anything on your desk that was not there during the room scan.

What To Do If Your Exam Gets Revoked

If the worst happens, act quickly and methodically.

Step 1: Document Everything Immediately

• Write down exactly what happened, including timestamps if possible
• Note the proctor's chat messages if you can remember them
• Record the reason given for termination (if any was provided)
• Take a screenshot of any error message or notification if the software allows it

Step 2: Contact Pearson VUE First

• Call Pearson VUE support and file an incident report
• Get a case number
• Ask them what was recorded on their end
• Note: Pearson VUE cannot overturn a revocation, but their records matter for your appeal

Step 3: Email AWS Exam Security

Send a detailed email to aws-exam-security@amazon.com including:

• Your AWS Certification account email
• Your full name as it appears on your account
• The exam name and date
• Your Pearson VUE case number
• A detailed description of what happened
• Any evidence that supports your case

Step 4: Follow Up

• Expect a response within five to seven business days for an initial acknowledgment
• Full resolution typically takes four to six weeks
• Be persistent but professional in follow-ups
• If you do not hear back within two weeks, send a polite follow-up email

Step 5: While You Wait

• Continue studying. If your revocation is overturned, you will get a retake voucher, not a free pass.
• Document your study time and preparation in case you need to demonstrate your commitment.

When to Choose a Test Center (Always, If Possible)

Choose a test center if:

• There is one within 60 minutes of your location
• You are taking a Professional or Specialty exam ($300 on the line)
• You are a fidgety person or have nervous habits
• Your home environment is unpredictable (roommates, pets, kids, construction noise)
• You have had technical issues with proctoring software before
• Your internet connection is unreliable
• You want to eliminate one more source of stress on exam day

Choose online proctoring only if:

• No test center is within reasonable distance
• You have a dedicated, quiet, private room that meets all requirements
• Your internet connection is rock solid (wired ethernet)
• You have successfully completed the system test multiple times
• You are comfortable sitting still for two to three hours straight
• You are taking a lower-cost exam ($100-$150) where the financial risk is lower

The Pre-Exam System Checklist

Run through this checklist the morning of your exam:

How to Maximize Your Chances of Passing

The best way to avoid proctoring issues is to finish your exam quickly and confidently. The less time you spend in the proctored session, the less time there is for something to go wrong.

That means walking into the exam knowing your material cold. No last-minute cramming, no hoping for the best.

Take a diagnostic assessment before you book your exam. Tools like StudyTech AI can identify your knowledge gaps in minutes, so you spend your study time on what actually matters instead of reviewing topics you already know. When you walk into the exam confident in your preparation, you spend less time second-guessing answers and more time moving through the exam efficiently.

The Bottom Line

Online proctoring for AWS certification exams works well for most people. But "most people" is not "everyone," and the consequences of a revocation are severe.

Take the environment seriously. Follow the setup checklist to the letter. And if you have the option to take your exam at a test center instead, strongly consider it, especially for higher-stakes exams.

Your months of study time are worth more than the convenience of not driving to a test center.

Prepare your knowledge. Prepare your room. Prepare yourself. And pass on the first attempt.