I am going to be taking my Chief Mate Exams coming up in early January at the REC in Long Beach and I have seen some old reviews expressing frustration with the testing materials and location. Has anyone had recent experiences at the LBREC that could clarify if it is still bad there? I know what materials I am allowed to bring with me but is there anything extra I should try to bring based on their lack of testing materials?
Thank you for any info you can contribute.
I found their materials to be adequate. I had an issue with them a bit ago. The test proctor was super late and I didn’t get the full time for my exam. They are very indifferent there, seems like several employees are going through the motions. Overall though, they’re ok. Good luck.
I live 15 minutes from the LB rec and have tested there a few times…but the most recent time I tested was 2020. I’ve also walked in apps in person in the past. There are, or at least were, a few folks there with some serious time/knowledge and although at first they may fit the disinterested disgruntled mold, they’ve always been helpful to me. I don’t recall any lack in testing resources at all.
They are located inside the world trade center so be prepared to get searched and such when you enter.
Street parking in long beach is a pain in the ass so just plan on parking in the garage near the courthouse on magnolia. One good thing is there are plenty of places to eat or get coffee in walking distance.
I tested there earlier this year, it was fine. No issues.
How long ago did you schedule? I sent an email to the LB REC a week ago trying to schedule from my masters unlimited exams the first week of Jan but haven’t received a response.
I also called the 1-800 number and they told me that every Friday is blocked.
I have 9 exams I need to take and wasn’t sure if I’d need all 4 1/2 test sessions!
Any gouge for actually getting scheduled?
Thank you!
Yea, from what I heard they don’t let you test on Fridays but that gives you from Monday to Thursday which should be enough time. I have to take the same exams. I emailed them November 13th for a request to test and they took four days to get back to me but couldn’t get me in until the first week of Jan. I was told that they were really full by the scheduler because of the government shut down they had to give priority to all those that got delayed.
Hope this helps.
Got it. Super helpful. Wow…didn’t consider they’d be that backed up!!
Thanks again…and good luck!
@FlyNavy96 Wrapped up my exams yesterday and the testing center is honestly really nice. Plenty of materials available. I brought my own charting tools and stuff though. There is security to get through who might ask what they are, but they let me through with my dividers. The lady who administers the test is really nice and helps keep a calm atmosphere.
Just wanted to give ya the posttest update. If you want to know anything else just let me know.
Thanks for the update! I called up the national number and finally got scheduled. Unfortunately I’m on for Feb 2-5 and I’m afraid we’ll be in another government shutdown.
How big is the testing center? Is it a couple people in there testing or 10 or 20 or?
Nonetheless, thanks you for the follow up and congrats on completion!
Pete
Well more time to study is never really a bad thing but I get wanting it to get it done. It is a small testing center. I think they only let 4 people test at a time. There are 6 tables and three chart tables to use so I think they just try to keep everyone separate.
Thanks, having these exams abaft the beam really is a load off the shoulders. I can’t wait to get the sticker in the mail. Just doesn’t feel done until it’s in the ol MMC