How to Prepare for an Online Proctored Exam?

The question of how to make sure that students are fully prepared for the proctoring exam is often raised by our clients. In this article, we decided to put all the recommendations together.

A few days before the exam:

1. Set up and test your computer
First, for successful work in the "Examus" online proctoring solution, you need a functioning desktop computer or laptop. The processor frequency must be 1.8 GHz or higher, RAM at least 4 GB, and hard disk capacity at least 500 MB. The "Examus" software supports OS: Windows 7/8/8. 1/10 and macOS versions 10.10 and higher. System integrity tests could be also important.

You must have the latest version of Google Chrome, Yandex.Browser, or Microsoft Edge installed on your computer. To pass the proctored exam in the browser, you may also have to install the Examus extension. In some cases, you can use the Examus app instead of the browser.

In addition, there must be a working camera and microphone on the computer with a resolution of 640x480 or higher. You need a stable Internet connection with an outgoing data transfer rate of at least 1 Mbit/s.

2. Prepare your workplace
During the exam, unauthorized people are not allowed in the room – the AI instantly detects the presence of the third parties or if an exam taker would like to switch users. That is why it is recommended to remove all portraits from the walls, as the cyberproctor can automatically take the portrait of Mendeleev for an adviser.

To avoid errors and records of false violations from the cyberproctor, the workspace must be well illuminated. The lamps should be located properly so they are not directly behind the examinee and do not” blind " the computer vision system.

3.Read the rules of the event
The full set of rules for the proctoring exam can be found here.

4. Pass a preliminary check
Check your computer settings in advance, at least one day before the exam, so that you have enough time to contact technical support. Learn more about how to pass it here.

Prior to the start of the proctored exam

1. Check everything again
The best strategy is reassurance. Once again, check that your computer is working properly. If there are other people sharing Wi-Fi with you in the room, try to minimize their impact on the internet connection during the exam. Prepare the necessary identification documents in advance and clear the workspace of anything that might arouse the proctor's suspicions – notes, smartphones, tablets, and other additional devices. If you need a glass of water or medication, it is best to take or bring them in advance so as not to be distracted during the proctored exam. We strongly recommend reading the exam rules carefully and more than once.

2. Prepare psychologically
Remember that all non-standard situations (which the user can’t influence) are considered in the scope of common sense and rational approach. For example, if a student's pen fell and he bent down to pick it up, a cat jumped on the table, a child suddenly cried in the next room, or the doorbell rang, no proctor will mark this as a violation. However, keep in mind that if users take the proctoring exam in a large classroom or in an office where there is no way to avoid the presence of other people and extraneous noise, all actions and sounds will be analyzed in detail.

Remember that the proctors do not have the goal of “flunking” you. If you know the subject well, you will pass the test with or without proctoring.

3. Don't worry about data security
Data privacy is a sensitive issue that users of remote proctoring systems are often concerned about. Many people consider the demonstration of passport pages and the interior of the room as an invasion of privacy. Where does this data go and how does it get there? Who has access to it? How long is it stored? We are 100% transparent and ready for dialogue. The answers to the most popular questions about data security can be found in this article.

4. Make sure you know how to contact tech support
In the synchronous type of proctoring, the proctor is in real-time. In this case, you can ask your questions in a special chat. For example, if you have a technical problem, you can easily discuss it with the specialist.

Moreover, for any exam format, technical support always works via WhatsApp and Telegram. In special chats, you can contact the Examus specialists, who will promptly answer all your questions.

By the way, in most cases, technical problems can be solved independently. To do this, you can search for the answer in our Knowledge Base, which is available in several languages.

Follow these simple rules, and the proctoring exam will not go by without any difficulty.

We wish you good luck!