Digital Photo Taking Guide

Digital Photos
The Importance of Taking Quality Photos and Backups

One of the most important things Pearson VUE does to ensure a highly secure testing
environment is require that candidates submit photos, signatures, and other information
when they take exams. One of the main reasons why this information is captured is to help
prevent cheating and exam fraud.
Security investigations and candidate verification
The photo may be used for many purposes, depending on the circumstance, so it is
important to take the photo properly. If there is ever a question of exam fraud or a
candidates identity, Pearson VUE may need to use the photo for verification or as part of an
investigation. For example, if a candidate is suspected of using a proxy-tester or imposter to
take an exam multiple times at different locations, Pearson VUE relies on the quality of the
photos taken to make a comparison. If the quality is poor, it becomes difficult to move
forward with an investigation or to verify a candidates identity.
Candidate score reports
Additionally, some sponsors use the photo for their own records or as part of the
licensing/certification process. For example, a sponsor may use the photo for their score
reports. Some of the state nursing boards use the photo on the candidates licensing
application and score report. Some sponsors also send the photo as part of the candidates
record and score report information to the school or university chosen by the candidate. And
in some cases where the photo is used as part of a score report, the candidate may even
use this score report to show to a potential employer as part of a job application.
Due to the various uses of photos, it is important to take them correctly to ensure their
usefulness in investigations, for score reports, and candidate applications. By taking highquality photos we show our exam sponsors our commitment and dedication to customer
service.

Characteristics of High-Quality Digital Photos and Backups

It is important that photos be taken using common standards. A properly taken photo
should always provide a clear, frontal view of a candidates face and upper part of his/her
shoulders, and should be free of distractions in front of or behind the candidate.
Additionally, if the digital camera fails and you are required to take a backup photo using
the webcam, you should use the same standards and procedures.
Please use the following guidelines when taking photos (including backup photos):

Quality photos should:

Have the candidate looking directly at

the camera.

Contain a full, frontal view of the

shoulders and head.

Be properly lit, properly centered,

and clearly focused.

Examples of quality photos:

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Be taken in front of a neutral

background.

Digital photos should NOT:

Contain any distractions in the

background, e.g. plants, windows,
artwork, wall corners, etc.

Show obstructions or facial

expressions, i.e. no hands, closed
eyes, hair in front of eyes, etc.

Show outerwear, hats, or sunglasses.

Be taken from too far away.

Be poorly lit or show shadows on the

face.

Examples of poor-quality photos:

Make Sure your Camera is Set Up Properly

A Logitech web camera is placed on a clear plastic stand on the
workstation from which you admit candidates. In order for this camera
to capture photos properly, it must be positioned accordingly on the
stand. Make sure to use the following guidelines:

Test the camera using the Test Admissions Equipment application. See instructions in
the test center guide if you do not know how to do this.
Run a TDFT if you do not want to test the camera using the test application.
Verify the camera and webcam are in focus.
If the area is too dark, add an extra light source.
Remove plants, artwork, and other distractions from the background.
Ensure that the image meets the standards noted in the previous section.
Adjust the angle up or down to accommodate taller candidates.
The camera height must be 36-38 inches from the floor.
The camera distance must be 24-36 inches from where candidates will be while their
picture is being taken.
For taller candidates, slightly adjust the camera up so that the candidates entire head
appears.

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Important: If you encounter issues with your camera set-up, let your Regional Manager or
Test Center Manager know immediately. If you encounter a situation that you are not able
to fix on your own, or does not allow you to take pictures according to the standard
procedures, talk to your Regional Manager or a Pearson VUE contact about alternative
positioning for the cameras and lighting.
Further examples of correct and incorrect photos and sample score reports can be found on
the following pages.

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SAMPLE DIGITAL PHOTOS
Incorrect Photos*

Incorrect background and

angle

no picture!

Incorrect angle

too blurry

eyes closed

window, wall corner, too far away

hat, sunglasses, too far away

sunglasses

not centered, too far away

top of head cut off

too many shadows on face

too many shadows on face, distractions

tree in background, too far

away

too dark

too far away, incorrect angle

incorrect angle

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Correct Photos

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*These photos are examples based on photos taken at our test centers

SAMPLE SCORE REPORTS

Incorrect Photos*

SAMPLE

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*The photos in these score reports are based on photos taken at our test centers.

SAMPLE SCORE REPORTS

Incorrect Photos*

SAMPLE

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SAMPLE SCORE REPORTS
Correct Photos

SAMPLE

*The photos in these score reports are based on photos taken at test centers.

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