ARAMCO COMPUTER BASED TESTING (CBT)

VENDOR / PROJECT INSPECTOR QUALIFICATION GUIDANCE

EXTERNAL

Scope:

Scope of this document is to provide a guidance on the process of Third Party Vendor / Project
Inspectors Qualification through Computer Based Testing (CBT).

Aramco have established a contract with Third Party Company “Pearson VUE” to provide service
of Computer Based Testing (CBT) for the qualification (Theory Exams) of Third Party Inspectors.
These Third Party Inspectors must pass relevant Aramco examinations before they are able to
perform related inspection activities on behalf of Aramco. Pearson VUE will facilitate in
scheduling of exams for CBT in one of their authorized test centers worldwide.

Note: This Document in no mean will replace existing General inspection Service contract or
Project Contract obligations with regards to Inspectors Minimum Qualification Requirements. This
document is to provide only a guidance on the inspector qualification process through CBT.

Inspectors Qualification process:

 Quality Professionals who wish to be registered and qualified as Inspectors in Aramco system
should enroll their profile first with one of the Inspection agencies or Project Contractors.
 Inspection agency or Project Contractor to submit a formal request for Inspector qualification
exams to one of the Aramco Regional offices (AOC, ASC, SAO, AAJ) after verification on
compliance to minimum academic qualification and experience criteria requirements set by
Aramco. Request should include supporting documents (such as list of QM codes to be
examined, CV, certificates where applicable, correct personal details of the candidates,
Privacy notice signed by candidate, etc…).
 Aramco Prescreen the received request from inspection agency or Project contractor. Upon
ensuring compliance to minimum Qualification and experience requirements Aramco prepares
request to Pearson VUE to register the candidates for exam.
 Pearson VUE create a profile of candidates and provide login details and link to Aramco
Inspector Qualification Landing page (Link: https://pearsonvue.com/aramco , Appendix-1)to
schedule appointment via registered email of the candidates.
 Candidates Schedule appointment and make payment for the exam. Note: candidates shall
ensure checking the personnel details such as first name, last name, email address, phone
No, agency name/ project contractor name, exams to be taken. For any correction refer to
section data correction.
 Candidate Takes Theory exam at Authorized test center.
 Successful candidates in Theory exam will be interviewed by Authorized Aramco
representative(s) (Interview venue – physical attendance, telecom, video conference,…etc.
will be communicated by Aramco through inspection agency or project contractor)
 Final result Pass / Fail of each exam will be shared through candidates registered inspection
agency or project contractor upon completion of both theory and Interview.

Study Material:

 Aramco do not provide any study materials on inspector’s qualification exams.

 Furthermore, also Pearson VUE doesn't provide any information about study material or exam
information.
 Exam questions and answers are based on Industrial Codes and standards relevant to the
exams candidate are registered.

Payment:

Exam Fee: Candidate or their inspection agency or Project Contractor (depends on their internal
agreement with their agency/ Project Contractor) shall have to pay associated cost for each
individual exams (commodities /QM code).

Approximate Estimated Cost: Table -1

Cost**
QM COMMODITY QUALIFICATION Exam size
Time* (USD)
NO. EXAM QUESTIONNAIRE (No. Qs)*
Exc. VAT
QM01 Electric General 90 60 71.00
QM02 Instrumentation 90 60 71.00
QM03 Mechanical General 90 60 71.00
QM04 MT, PT, UT, RT 90 50 71.00
QM05 Line Pipe 60 40 47.00
QM06 Fabricated Piping TBA TBA TBA
QM07 Valves and Fittings 75 60 59.00
QM10 Marine Hoses 45 30 47.00
QM11 Critical Coating 60 40 47.00
QM12 Non critical Coating TBA TBA TBA
QM16 Transformers 60 40 47.00
QM17 Cable 60 40 47.00
QM20 MCC & Switchgear 60 40 47.00
QM21 Generators & Motors 60 40 47.00
QM26 Pumps 60 40 47.00
QM27 Compressors 60 40 47.00
QM28 Turbines 60 40 47.00
QM29 Gears 45 30 47.00
QM30 Pressure Vessels 60 40 47.00
QM31 Heat Exchangers 60 40 47.00
QM32 Boilers 60 40 47.00
QM41 OCTG 45 30 47.00
QM42 Wellhead TBA TBA TBA
QM35 Skid Mounted Equipment TBA TBA TBA
QM36 Skid mounted equipment TBA TBA TBA
QM68 RTR High Pressure Pipe TBA TBA TBA
QM81 Umbilical system TBA TBA TBA
Note:
 Table -1 Subjected to change in terms of QM code addition or deletion. Relevant changes will be
notified in due course of time.
* Subject to change. Aramco latest Inspector Qualification Guidance should be followed.
** Cost Indicated is associated with test center administration fee (only) for each exam excluding VAT.
Additional cost may be charged as VAT (VAT Percentage may vary country to country depends on
applicable local regulations). No other hidden cost (e.g. no separate administration fee for Aramco in
addition to exam fee charged by Third Party Company – Pearson VUE).
Payment Method: Payment can be done online and by calling Pearson VUE customer service
helpline, Pearson VUE accept credit and debit cards (Visa, Master Card), if candidate /
inspection agency/ project contractor are using a debit card, please ensure that it allows the
online payments by contacting your bank. Note: If candidate will take the exam in Lebanon or
Pakistan; booking the exam can be done only by visiting the test centre at least 7 business days
prior to candidate exam date and paying the exam fees as cash only.

Changes or Modification to Candidate details:

 During scheduling for exams candidates are not allowed to modify or make changes to their
personal data such as First and last name, Contact phone number, Address, email address,
employer or company name.
 For any changes or modification to provided details, candidates to contact their registered
Inspection agency or Project Contractor who ultimately should contact Aramco for the
correction prior to their exam date.

Exam results:

 Immediately after Candidate Completes the exam, confirmation report on exam completion
will be printed out and provided to candidate in the test centre.
 To be qualified, inspector is required to pass both written exam and interview.
 Final result Pass / Fail of each exam will be shared through their registered inspection agency
/Project Contractor upon completion of both theory and Interview.

Retake policy:

Failed candidate is allowed to retake the test as per below conditions (subject to change):

 One (1) month after the first failed attempt (if the failure results are below 70% & above
60%). This will be considered as the First attempt.

 Three (3) months after the first failed attempt (if the failure results are below 60%). This will
be considered as the second attempt.

 If the candidate fails the examination on the second attempt, candidate may retake the exam
twelve (12) months after the second attempt. Exceptions of the above requirements will be
evaluated by Aramco for certain business cases and subject to final approval of Aramco.

Admissions, Re-Scheduling and Cancellation Policies

Admissions
We ask that Candidates arrive at the test centre 30 minutes before their scheduled appointment
time. This will give candidate adequate time to complete the necessary sign-in procedures. If
candidate arrive more than 15 minutes late from their appointment start time, candidates may
be refused admission and will lose the exam fees.

Candidates should be prepared to show two (2) valid forms of personal ID.

a) One form as a primary ID (with name, photo and signature)

 b) One form as a secondary ID (with name and Photo)

Primary ID must:
c) contain candidate photograph,
d) contain candidate name in English or regional language where test center located.
e) be valid (ie not expired).

Acceptable Primary IDs include:

 Passport
 Government-issued photocard driving license
 Government-issued national ID card (only accepted if the card is issued in the country where
candidate are testing)
 Employee ID

The name on candidate ID must exactly match the name with which candidate registered for
their exam. If candidate are unsure whether their ID is acceptable, please contact Pearson VUE
customer Service before the day of their exam at https://home.pearsonvue.com/test-
taker/Customer-service.aspx

No personal items may be taken into the testing room. This includes all electronic devices, bags,
books, notes, phones, pagers, money, tissues, pens, watches and wallets .

Reschedule
If candidate wish to reschedule their exam, candidate must access their online Pearson VUE
account to reschedule their exam at least a minimum of seven (7) calendar days prior to their
scheduled appointment date. Rescheduling less than seven (7) calendar days prior to their
appointment date will result in the forfeiture of their exam fee.

Cancellation
If candidate wish to cancel their exam, candidate must access their online Pearson VUE account
to cancel their exam at least a minimum of 7 days prior to their appointment, a full refund will
be issued to the same credit card used for booking the exam. The refund takes 10-14 business
days.
Exams cannot be cancelled less than 7 days prior to their appointment. Failure to cancel in time
or failure to appear for their appointment will result in the forfeiture of their exam fee.
 Appendix-1 Landing Page
Screen-1

Screen-2

N/A. Candidates shall always

User ID and Password login with user ID & password
provided by Pearson VUE provided by Pearson VUE,
 Attachment – A
Candidates Tutorial for exam