CORe Final Exam

Exam Logistics

The CORe final examination is a three-hour, multiple choice, closed book, computer-based assessment that has been created by HBS faculty and is administered by Pearson VUE. The exam is offered to participants after successful completion of the program during defined time periods—generally two-week windows starting one week after the last module deadline.

A passing exam score on all three courses is required in order to earn the CORe credential.

Virtual Exam Delivery

Following the closures of Pearson VUE test centers due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, HBS Online has enabled virtual delivery of the CORe final exam for participants in the following cohorts:

• November 2019
• January 2020
• February 2020
• March 2020
• May 2020

Please note: You will be authorized to schedule your virtual exam within the first few weeks of your program start. Please do not create a Pearson account until you are authorized by HBS Online and receive information from our engagement team.

Subject to the future availability of in-person testing, additional cohorts may be asked to complete the CORe final exam online.

The Pearson VUE testing platform (onVUE) is separate from the HBS Online course platform, and the technical requirements for virtual testing differ from those needed for CORe. In order to complete virtual testing, participants will need the following:

• Webcam
• Microphone (either built-in, external, or as part of a headset)
• The ability to download and install software on your device

Completing the CORe final exam virtually is a three-stage process:

• Complete system test and software set-up (15 minutes)
• Schedule an appointment for exam (10 minutes)
• Check in 30 minutes before appointment time and complete three-hour exam (3.5 hours)

Exam takers will need to be alone in a room for the full three hours and will not be allowed to leave the view of the webcam. As such, there are no breaks during the exam. Participants will have access to a calculator and an on-screen “whiteboard” for drawing or typing notes.

Pearson VUE does not deliver onVUE virtual exams in the following countries: China, Japan, Slovenia, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, and Syria. Participants who are unable to complete virtual testing due to location or other circumstances will be contacted by HBS Online at the conclusion of the exam window.

Have additional questions? Get more information on virtual testing.

In-Person Exam Delivery

The final exam for the CORe program is offered during defined windows of time after each cohort. The final exam window generally opens one week after the last module deadline and is open for approximately two weeks.

Participants will be able to sit for the examination at one of 4,800 Pearson VUE test centers worldwide. The Pearson VUE test center will provide an exam platform that includes an on-screen calculator permitted for use throughout the final exam. Additionally, the test center administrator will provide you with an erasable whiteboard to be used for scratch paper. Pearson VUE utilizes different tools from the Harvard Business School Online course platform to deliver the final exam; therefore, some platform functionality (for example, embedded spreadsheets) will not appear during the exam.

For information regarding specific exam policies, including ID requirements and what to expect on the day of exam, please contact Pearson VUE.

More information on scheduling an appointment, accommodations, ID requirements, and test center policies for the CORe final examination is available at www.pearsonvue.com/hbsonline. Please note that you will be instructed to create your Pearson VUE account a few weeks after CORe begins. You will not be able to create or schedule an appointment before you are authorized by Harvard Business School Online.

Some countries and territories may not have any test centers or may be subject to security restrictions. The following countries do not have test centers. Enrolled participants in these areas will need to travel to another country to sit for the exam:

A few countries have a limited number of authorized test centers which may require participants to travel to a major city to sit for the exam. The following countries and territories have only one or two test centers and would require travel to a major city:

For more information on grading, please review our Program Policies page.