What is a Proctored Exam?
A proctored exam is one that is overseen by an impartial individual (called a proctor) who monitors or supervises a student while he or she is taking an exam. The proctor ensures the security and integrity of the exam process.
What is the UWF policy regarding Proctored Exams?
View the new UWF policy regarding Proctored Exams, effective fall 2011.
How do I let students know, that "IF" I, the faculty member, require a proctored exam, what they are supposed to do?
- Put this information in your course syllabus and post it in FACS as soon as you can.
- Also, remind your students with enough lead time so that they will be able to coordinate proctoring services if needed.
Proctored Exam Options:
At UWF there are now four choices for completing proctored exams (see UWF policy above):
- Come to campus (Face-to-Face);
- Use ProctorU (Online or Face-to-Face);
- Utilize the University Testing Center (Online or Face-to-Face); or
- Find an approved proctor (Online or Face-to-Face).
- Student Disability Resource Center:
- The Student Disability Resource Center (SDRC) can proctor exams for students with documented disabilities, and who are registered with the SDRC.
- Students and/or faculty with questions about this or other SDRC services should contact the SDRC (phone: 850-474-2387; email: sdrc@uwf.edu).
Come to campus:
Faculty may establish a specific campus classroom, date and time for the exam on UWF campus.
Notify your students well in advance of this option.
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ProctorU:
ProctorU is a new service that UWF will utilize as one option for proctoring online exams. ProctorU allows students to conveniently and securely complete assigned exams using almost any web cam. With a computer and approved web cam, students can take online exams at home, at work, or almost anywhere they have Internet access. ProctorU connects students directly to their proctor via web cam so they can both see and talk to one another. ProctorU can also monitor the student's computer while they complete the exam. Watch this video for an introduction to ProctorU.
To be successfully proctored by ProctorU, students will need the following:
- Operating System:
- PC: Windows XP or Windows Vista with 256 MB of RAM or higher
- Mac: Mac OS10 or higher
- A web cam with 640x480 video pixel resolution and built-in microphone; or a separate microphone and headphones; or a separate microphone and speakers connected to the computer (In any case, the student must have both video and audio connections to interact with the proctor).
- A high speed Internet connection (minimum 768 Kbps/128 Kbps).
- A web browser with Adobe Flash Player installed. (Flash Player 10 recommended).
- A credit card for the $22.50 charge per online proctored exam.
For more specific information on ProctorU: ProctorU Faculty Instructions
If either coming to campus or using ProctorU is not an option for your students, use the procedures that follow:
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University Testing Center:
- Faculty may approve the use of the UWF Testing Center.
- The testing center's hours are
- Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and
- Tuesdays and Thursdays 12:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
- All exams must be finished by 4:30 p.m.
They may be able to accommodate outside of these times and days if, due to volume, they are unable to accommodate you during normal hours. The UWF Testing Center charges $25 per proctored exam. Contact the UWF Testing Center to schedule an appointment:
University of West Florida, Testing Center:
Bldg 21, Room 120
11000 University Pkwy. Pensacola, FL 32514
Proctor: Cecilia Vance or Greg Dziadon
Phone (850) 473-7340 Fax (850) 473-7341
Email: testing@uwf.edu
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Find an approved proctor:
- Students should find an appropriate proctor within the first two weeks of the semester. (See below for information on selecting an approved proctor or getting approval for a proctor candidate.)
- Complete and submit the Proctor Approval Application.
- Provide your exam schedule to your approved proctor.
- Comply with any payment schedule that may be required by your approved proctor or testing center.
- Schedule the exam date and time with the proctor well in advance of the testing window provided by the instructor.
- Take the exam within the time frame outlined in your course syllabus.
- Complete the Examination Certification form, which will be provided with each exam.
Note: Failure on the part of the student to assume these responsibilities will be a matter to resolve with the instructor and could result in a failing grade on the exam in question.
What is the fee for a proctor's services?
Fees vary for the use of a testing facility and the proctor's time to receive, monitor, and return your exam. Please be sure to determine if there is a fee, what it is, and when it must be paid. Testing centers often require prepayment, and your receipt for payment may serve as your ticket to the proctored exam session. These practices vary among libraries, schools, colleges, universities, and private testing centers.
How to find an approved proctor
Check the National College Testing Association (NCTA), a national testing information site. If there is no available option near your student(s), they can start the process by contacting their local public library, community college or university or, if they are in the military, contact their education officer. Many of these facilities have experience in proctoring exams from various institutions. The proctor will fill fill out the bottom half of the UWF Proctor Approval Form.
What are the requirements for proctor approval?
UWF has specific guidelines regarding proctor selection. If an appropriate test-proctoring site from the resources on the NCTA website cannot be found, students must submit a completed UWF Proctor Approval Application (PDF) by the end of the second week of the term or as directed by your instructor with the individual's information willing to act as your proctor. The department will contact then proctor to determine their elligibility as a proctor. See "Who can be approved as a Proctor" below.
Note: Exams will not be distributed to a proctor unless the Proctor Approval Application is on file with the instructor's department.
Who can be approved to serve as a proctor?
An acceptable proctor is someone with no conflict of interest in upholding UWF's Academic Code of Conduct (pdf). Relatives, friends, spouses, neighbors, and co-workers are not acceptable proctors. A proctor candidate may be from one of the following categories:
- Educational administrator or librarian at a community college, university, or high school
- Librarian at a public library
- Learning Center, ESO or an officer of higher rank than the student, if in the military
- College, university, or private testing center
What technology must the proctor have?
At a minimum, the proctor must have a valid, working e-mail address and telephone number so that the department may communicate with them. Depending on whether the exam is offered via the Internet or paper-based, the proctor should also have:
- Internet access for the proctor and student
- Printer
- And if necessary, a FAX machine
What are the proctor's responsibilities?
- The proctor must ensure that all necessary technologies are available and working.
- Only the proctor may handle the actual exam prior to and following its completion.
- No copies of the exam other than the copy used for test-taking are to be made at any time.
- No person other than the proctor and student may view the exam. (The student may have access to the exam only during the time period allowed by the instructor.)
- The proctor must follow the instructor's requirements for administering the exam. These may include a time limit, specific allowable equipment, such as a calculator and inclusion or exclusion of books, notes, etc.
- If paper-based, the proctor must prepare the exam (and any relevant materials, e.g., scratch paper) for return by sealing it in an appropriate envelope, provided by the UWF department, immediately after the student completes it.
Note: Full instructions for return and necessary postage will be supplied by UWF to the proctor prior to availability of the exam.
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