Thanks very much...
2020 Exam Update from GARP (updated on a regular basis)
- Thread starter Nicole Seaman
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Still trying to get confirmation on my deferral from GARP. I have been on hold for two hours now. Have emailed my confirmation for the last four days and no reply. Thought calling would finally settle the situation. So far I have been incorrect in my assumption calling would be useful.
Did anyone actually get through and speak to someone at GARP recently?
Did anyone actually get through and speak to someone at GARP recently?
And now I cannot even sign in to the GARP website. Can anyone else sign in?
I'm on hold for three hours now; the website has crashed and cannot sign in; and this is the supposed day where you must change your exam date for a deferral.
This is really happening. Wow. Their whole system is down and they aren't answering the phones.
I'm on hold for three hours now; the website has crashed and cannot sign in; and this is the supposed day where you must change your exam date for a deferral.
This is really happening. Wow. Their whole system is down and they aren't answering the phones.
firstplace
New Member
Yes their switchboard is a disaster right now. I've been calling since this morning. It's routing to voicemail instead of a person. Also, I've heard it takes just under two weeks to hear back from email requests.
shuffleshoe
Member
Has anyone heard from GARP whether they will arrange more rooms if COVID regulations state a max capacity per room? Has anyone asked them this question already?
evelyn.peng
Active Member
I asked this question on Sept 30, and suggested GARP change their venues like book a block of hotel rooms. I just got a canned response this morning. Basically it gives me no more information than what's already published on their website (i.e., GARP takes safety precautions, and GARP will REACT to specific situations related to the pandemic and follow local government permissions).
It does not look like GARP is willing to make adjustment to their plans, at least, not based on the response I received from them.
mattheweidinger
Active Member
As I understand, the CPA exams in Montreal did this in early September, in the SAME hotel GARP had scheduled the FRM exams - right before we went into lockdown 2.0 here. Basically they blocked off 1-2 hotel floors and had proctors patrol the hallways with the hotel rooms open so that they could monitor the students. 1 student per hotel room.
Based on the way this virus is going, I think this could be a sound solution come January...
mattheweidinger
Active Member
Anyone from Calgary or Vancouver taking the part 1 or part 2 exams? Have you heard anything about the venues there?
shuffleshoe
Member
That's interesting. So even though the regulations in the country are known, there's still no knowing what to expect until GARP finally decides to give some clarity. God knows when that will be.
What do you mean by "It does not look like GARP is willing to make adjustment to their plans[...]"? Their plans being not booking different rooms or something else?
We've seen that CPA and CFA have handled things differently than GARP. Better, in fact.
evelyn.peng
Active Member
What I mean is: GARP has not deviated from their standard script, offering no willingness to take my suggestions of blocking hotel rooms. I've said to GARP in my email, our local restriction is 10 people per room. In their response, they did not address or respond that restriction at all. Here's a direct quote from their response:
"As the exam date gets closer and closer, we will react to specific situations related to the pandemic and inform candidates of our updated plans.
See our latest notice here https://www.garp.org/#!/important-notices
If you have any other questions and concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Member Services at GARP."
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shuffleshoe
Member
@evelyn.peng I see. The poor communication from their side is annoying. With max 10 capacity I can imagine a couple of extra rooms can be booked. If I understood you correctly, that max capacity was already known in September (when you mailed them). I feel in that case they had plenty of time to think about it and if they haven't canceled it by now, I don't think it will be unless there are any other developments. So far, they seem to have only canceled the locations where indoor gatherings aren't allowed at all anymore.
The max capacity in our situation is 30 people, which I guess should be manageable for them. But still, there's no way to know where they currently stand since they are not saying anything.
The max capacity in our situation is 30 people, which I guess should be manageable for them. But still, there's no way to know where they currently stand since they are not saying anything.
firstplace
New Member
There is no chance.
Contrast GARP with PRMIA's approach:
Important notice about COVID19 and PRMIA examinations
As you prepare to schedule and take your examination at a Pearson VUE test center, learn more about Pearson VUE's country-based guidance to ensure your health and safety as well as the safety of employees at the Pearson VUE testing centers.
If you are unable to sit for your exam at a test center, remote-proctored examination options are available.
Looks doubtful.......with such high cases, I wouldnt be suprised if they move it to Jan ( to be honest not sure how jan helps, it is going to be the same then too, unless a vaccine comes through and i guess the hope is it will come in dec?)
shuffleshoe
Member
The whole hotel chain where the Amsterdam October exam is to be held has been closed down. I guess this will at least force some communication from GARP's side soon. If they send out a message telling us the location will be changed, it confirms that the exam can be held under current conditions (max 30 capacity indoors). Possibly this will also confirm that GARP will book multiple rooms if needed, assuming there will be more than 30 people taking the Amsterdam exam in October.
I'd rather just have clear communication instead of having to decipher the current situation, though.
I'd rather just have clear communication instead of having to decipher the current situation, though.
Eustice_Langham
Active Member
I cant see London going ahead
I keep thinking this too, but I'm not sure what criteria is being used to decide whether to postpone the exams or not.
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