Examination Policies

USPEC is committed to upholding the principles of fairness in all exams and related activities and processes. USPEC places the highest priority on ensuring that exams are conducted fairly and recognizes the importance of maintaining an environment conducive to the success of all exam takers and is committed to upholding the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.

Exam Scheduling and Cancellation

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

• Exam Scheduling

  Once registered, candidates will have 365 days to prepare, study, and take the exam. To secure the preferred exam schedule, they must schedule the examination at least 30 days before the expiration of the 365-day period. The exam scheduling window closes 10 days before the expiration of the 365-day period. To schedule the exam after the expiration of 365 days, candidates will be required to pay a nominal fee of USD 50 through the myUSPEC dashboard.

  If a candidate fails to show up for the exam as scheduled, their status will be marked as 'No Show’.

• Exam Rescheduling

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

• Exam Cancellation

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

• Reapplying for the exam

  In the event of an unsuccessful outcome on a candidate’s first attempt, they have the opportunity to reapply for the exam. They can schedule their exam for a nominal fee of USD 50, soon after their results are released on the myUSPEC dashboard.

• Exam Window Extension

  If a candidate is unable to schedule their exam within the initial 365-day time period, they have the option to extend the exam window by paying a fee of USD 50 through their myUSPEC dashboard. This will allow them an additional 365 days to schedule and take the exam at a later date. However, this option is only available after the current exam window has expired.

Candidates 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.

ID Policy

When scheduling the exam, it is mandatory to provide details of two valid (non-expired) Government-issued identification documents. Both IDs must be current and valid on the exam day. One of the IDs must be a photo ID that displays the candidate’s legal name and signature. It is important to ensure that the candidate’s legal name on the ID exactly matches the first and last name on their myUSPEC account. Additionally, both IDs must be issued by the country in which the candidate is taking the exam. If they do not have an ID issued from their country of residence, they will need to provide an International Travel Passport from their country of citizenship along with a secondary ID.

On the day of the exam, candidates will be required to present their ID to the proctor on the screen. If there is any discrepancy in the ID presented or if it does not meet the above requirements, the proctor has the right to refuse entry into the exam zone.

The candidate must present an original and valid ID with a photo and signature. Photocopies will not be accepted.

Acceptable Identification

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

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

Exam Conduct

All candidates must adhere to the policies and procedures established by the USPEC to ensure a fair and secure examination process. It is imperative to note that USPEC has a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of misconduct or the use of unfair means. All decisions made by the proctor during the exam session are conclusive and binding, including the termination of the examination due to non-compliance or any suspicious activity that violates the code of conduct. Candidates are not authorized to appeal the final decision regarding an exam policy violation. For a better understanding of the expected behavior of a candidate during an examination, please adhere to the guidelines provided below.

• The mock exam will be available 24 hours before the scheduled main exam. Make sure to take the mock exam and thoroughly get familiarized with all terms, policies, and processes.
• It is recommended for the candidates to arrive at their desk 30-50 minutes before the exam start time to ensure everything is working smoothly for them.
• 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 Learning Resources, tablets, e-readers, digital watches, and all other electronics except calculators are prohibited.
• Always remain fully visible on the exam screen (no breaks allowed). Partial visibility may result in the termination of the exam. Relocating during the exam is strictly prohibited.
• Ensure that all browser tabs and applications are closed and signed out during the examination, particularly if a candidate is 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

• Candidates 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. During or after the exam, any intentional or unintentional actions that contravene USPEC's exam policies and procedures will be deemed a violation.

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

Exam Security

The upholding of examination security and confidentiality is of paramount importance, and therefore, strict adherence to USPEC's security policies and procedures is essential. It is imperative that candidates comply with these guidelines to ensure a fair and impartial examination environment.

Exam violations are serious breaches of ethical and professional conduct and are not acceptable. These violations may 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 procedures which may be amended from time to time. Such violations can result in disciplinary action. It is important for all candidates to adhere to the highest standards of ethical behavior and comply with all exam policies and procedures.

If any unethical behavior or compromise of exam integrity is observed, the proctor has the authority to immediately terminate the exam. The proctor's decision is final and binding, with no opportunity for appeal.

Exam Appeals

Appeals will be reviewed by USPEC in accordance with the policies and procedures, as well as 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. Candidates may submit an appeal under the following circumstances:

Examination Administration Appeals

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

• Promptly report and identify the exam administration condition or issue to the exam proctor immediately following the examination administration, and provide all relevant information requested concerning the condition or issue necessary to complete a Case Report.
• Submit the appeal as outlined in this policy; the narrative must describe the exam administration condition or issue affecting the candidate’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.

Examination Content Appeal

A candidate may appeal one or more specific examination items and/or answers as inaccurate or incorrect where they believe that their failure to receive a score for such items and/or answers caused the candidate to fail the examination. For a content appeal to be considered, the candidate must, in the appeal narrative, specify the specific exam items and/or answers subject to the appeal and a detailed narrative explaining why the candidate 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 USPEC's decision by submitting a written appeal within 15 days of receiving notification of results on the myUSPEC dashboard.

Disciplinary Action in pre- and post-exam scenarios

Candidates seeking to dispute an action or decision regarding their candidacy may submit the Candidacy Reconsideration Request Form to initiate the process and submit here.

No Show or Emergencies

Candidates missing a scheduled exam because of emergencies should directly contact USPEC to report the matter. The following reasons for missing or not showing up for a scheduled exam have been defined as acceptably genuine and deemed as justified for granting retake permissions if requested:

• If candidates 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 candidates have been unfortunately affected by infections, are under quarantine, or are facing immobility due to restrictions or disruptions.
• If candidates are summoned by courts, are drafted on juries, or are required for some urgent national duty.

Candidates forced to miss their scheduled exam for any of the above-mentioned reasons are required to contact USPEC and request a retake by submitting doctor’s or hospital certificates, etc., as proof 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 grounds listed below will not be accepted as a basis for appeal:

• The candidate’s lack of knowledge or understanding of the exam administration policies or procedures. All candidates are required to read and understand the policies and procedures prior to attending the examination.
• The candidate’s failure to follow any instructions provided by the proctor related to the exam conduct or administration.
• Candidate’s errors or omissions related to understanding examination items.
• Technical problems that do not impact the administration of the examination and are resolved within the exam duration.
• Late arrival or not showing up for the exam appointment.

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

Random Candidacy Audit

USPEC conducts random audits to verify the accuracy of candidate information and assess candidates' credibility. Participation in the audit, submission of the required documents within the deadline, and verification of their correctness are essential. Failure to comply may lead to disqualification from taking the exam or revocation of the CPEP™ charter.

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