Online Exams with Zoom Proctoring

Getting ready for an exam

1. Go to the Home page

   • You will be able to see any current and future exam reservations.
   • If one of your courses offer exams with self-scheduling option, you will see a list of the exams available for reservation.
   • Check if you have your special exam accommodations entered correctly in your reservation.
   • Make sure to check the exam date, time and duration. You will not receive extra time if you arrive late.
   • Contact your instructor if you believe your reservation is incorrect (and you do not have the option to self-schedule)

2. Download the Zoom app on your phone or tablet (App Store | Google Play). Follow the instructions provided by your instructor regarding the Zoom sign in process.

3. Plan your testing space. Here we provide some general guidelines. Your course instructor may have other specific policies.

   • find a quiet space without others around you. If this is impossible, let your proctor know at the beginning of the exam and refrain from talking with other people.
   • find a place to put your phone far enough away from you to capture your face, screen, and work area in the same shot on Zoom. Make sure you have power cords and outlet nearby.
   • you can view this guide for further tips on how to position your phone.
   • plan to have scratch paper and any other allowed materials or resources nearby. Your instructor should have provided you with a list of allowed materials.

Before starting an exam

1. Get yourself and your work space ready:

   • Use the restroom beforehand.
   • Make sure you have all the items you will need (loose-leaf scratch paper, pencils, other course-approved materials)
   • Make sure you do NOT have any unauthorized materials in your work area. This includes smart watches and electronic headphones.
   • Make sure you are alone and others will not enter the room. If this is impossible, let your proctor know at the beginning of the exam and refrain from talking with other people.
   • Plug your devices into an outlet or power bank.
   • Put your phone in Do Not Disturb mode – notifications can interrupt your connection to the Zoom meeting.

2. Go to the PrairieTest Home page from your phone/tablet device 10 minutes before your exam starts.

   • You should see a link to the Current Exam at the top of the screen. Click that link.
   • You will see the message "Join this Zoom meeting now" (the Zoom link will not be available if you connect too early, in that case, wait for the proctor to release the link).
   • Connect to the Zoom meeting using this device.
   • Double check that your display name in Zoom matches your name in the course roster. The proctor needs to know who you are.
   • Put the device far enough away from you to capture your face, screen, and work area in the same shot on Zoom.

3. Go to the PrairieTest Home page from your computer/laptop. You will see one of the following messages:

   • "You need to be checked in by a proctor before you can start your exam.": this will happen if you were not yet checked-in by the proctor (or if you are trying to open the link without being connected to the Zoom meeting).
   • "Please wait for your proctor to start the exam session. This is scheduled to start at [exam time]": your proctor will start the exam at the designated exam start time.
   • "Your exam is now ready": click the Start exam button to get access to the exam.

4. Once you click Start Exam, you will get the link to your exam. Open the link and start taking the exam.

5. Do not leave the Zoom meeting until you complete your exam. If you disconnect from the Zoom meeting, the proctor will remove your access to the exam.

6. When you complete your exam, go back to PrairieTest and click End exam for self-checkout.

   • A proctor will confirm that you checked out if you leave the Zoom meeting.
   • The exam will close automatically at the exam end time, which is defined by the exam start time plus the exam duration defined by the instructor (which may be different among students).
   • Students can find their exam scheduled duration from the Reservation panel in PrairieTest.

7. Make sure to check on late arrival policies with your course instructor.