Online Testing and Proctored Exams

Dos

• Read instructions and ask questions before the exam.
• Plan for a quiet location with no distractions.
• Plan for the time necessary to complete the test.  If interrupted you may not be able to get back into the exam.
• If your exam is proctored – be sure to confirm arrangements ahead of time.
• Make sure that your computer is technically capable and has the appropriate connection speed.
• Use a compatible browser, such as Firefox.
• Disable pop-up blockers on your computer – they may prevent you from saving your answers.  
• If you have a firewall on your computer – temporarily disable it or take your exam using a computer that does not have a firewall.
• Re-boot your computer before you start the exam to make sure there are no applications running in the background that may interfere with your exam.
• Keep track of time – watch the timer if your instructor enabled it.
• Save your individual answers frequently; Blackboard will time out after a period of inactivity.
• Review your results in My Grades or by clicking the exam link again.

Don'ts

• Do NOT take your exam on a mobile device.  Phone calls or other notifications may interrupt the exam and the exam may close as a result.
• Do NOT take an exam over Wi-Fi – it is an unstable internet environment and you may lose connection with your exam. 
• Do NOT have any other browser windows or other programs open.
• Do NOT click back, refresh, or forward arrows or re-size your browser. Use the navigation provided within the test.
• Do NOT wait until the last moment to take the test and avoid possible technical issues.
• Do NOT press ENTER to complete the exam. Click the SUBMIT button. Blackboard will display a message confirming your submission.

Your instructor may choose to use EXAMITY® for remote online test proctoring. Access Examity directly from Blackboard, without the hassle of another username and password.

Preparing for My Exam link has information on 

• Setting your profile
• Explaining system requirements
• Performing a system check
• Rips for successful exams
• Privacy and security
• Accessibility

Examity® System Requirements

• You must take the exam on a desktop computer or laptop (not a tablet or cell phone).
• You must have a working built-in or external webcam and microphone.
• Your Internet speed must be at least 2 Mbps download and 2 Mbps upload.  Determine your Internet speed by running a test at: http://www.speedtest.net

Tutorials:

• Read the Student Quick Start guide.
• Watch the Test-taker Workflow video.
• Post exam questions

Recommendation

We highly recommend you review the following resources prior to taking your first Examity proctored online exam.

• 5 Tips for Online Test-Taking Success
• A Test-taker’s Guide to Online Proctoring
• Creating Your Profile in Four Easy Steps
• Privacy and Security 

Reaching Support  

• Phone: 855-392-6489
• Email: support@examity.com
• Live Chat with Examity support for test takers

All costs for proctoring exams are the responsibility of the student.

• Students pay Examity® directly for the proctoring service.  
• Students are advised to schedule exams at least 24 hours in advance to avoid late scheduling charges.
• Cancellations or changes within 24 hours of an examination will result in a $5.00 charge per occurrence. 
  • Set up time (expected to be less than ten minutes) will not be included in the examination time.
• Full payment will be required for any no-shows. 

Respondus LockDown Browser 

LockDown Browser® is a custom browser that locks down the testing environment within Blackboard, TAMU-CC's official learning management system. The LockDown Browser used is very specific to an institution, therefore, students should only use the LockDown Browser provided by the Division of Information Technology to take exams for TAMU-CC courses.

• Download TAMU-CC's Respondus Lockdown Browser. 

To obtain the latest version, use the "Check for Update" feature or run the full installation program. For more information or to submit a ticket visit the Respondus support page.  

• An overview [video: 2 minutes]
• Student Quick Start Guide

Important: 

•  Once an exam is stared using the LockDown Browser:

  • Assessments are displayed full-screen and cannot be minimized.
  • Browser menu and toolbar options are removed, except for Back, Forward, Refresh and Stop.
  • Prevents access to other applications including messaging, screen-sharing, virtual machines, and remote desktops.
  • Printing and screen capture functions are disabled.
  • Copying and pasting anything to or from an assessment is prevented. Right-click menu options, function keys, keyboard shortcuts and task switching are disabled.
  • An assessment cannot be exited until the student submits it for grading.
  • Assessments that are set up for use with LockDown Browser cannot be accessed with other browsers.
  • When an assessment is started, students are locked into it until they submit it for grading.
  • Available for both Windows and Mac.

Technical requirements:

• Supported Operating Systems:
  • Mac: MacOS 10.12 to 12.0+
  • iOS: 11.0+ (iPad only) 
  • Windows 11 & 10 Details
• Memory requirement:
  • Mac: 120 MB permanent space on the hard drive.
  • Windows - 75 MB permanent space on the hard drive.

TAMU-CC computer labs have LockDown Browser installed.

OEM Lockdown Browser for tests in a third-party platform (ALEKS, MyLab, etc.)

Your instructor may ask you to use the Respondus LockDown Browser for tests in the third party platforms. If this case, the link to download a second, "OEM" platform specific, edition of the Lockdown browser will be provided. Both browsers can be installed on the same device. The two editions will not conflict with one another. Review these instructions if you need to use the Lockdown Browser with multiple institutions.

On student personal devices:

• Windows/Mac 

Students should navigate to the test from a standard browser (Chrome, Firefox, etc.) and use the link to install the OEM version of LockDown Browser. Once installed, the browser will automatically launch when students begin a test.

• iPad/Chromebook

Students must verify that the third-party platform supports their devices and contact the instructor to activate this option. 

Respondus Lockdown Browser + Monitor

Respondus Monitor is a companion to the Respondus Lockdown browser. You may be required to use Respondus LockDown Browser and use a webcam, which will record you during an online proctored exam. The webcam feature is referred to as "Respondus Monitor." Your computer must have a functioning webcam and microphone. A broadband connection is also required. 

You would need to have the Respondus LockDown Browser installed and then access exams as they normally would. Then you will be guided through a pre-exam sequence, including a webcam check. Exams can be taken with Respondus Monitor without advanced scheduling and without additional registration by the student.

Guides & Tutorials:

• Respondus Monitor overview

• A broadband internet connection
• Memory requirement:
  • Windows - 75 MB permanent space on the hard drive.
  • Mac: 120 MB permanent space on the hard drive.
• Operating system:
  • Mac: OS X 10.10 or higher
  • iOS: 10.0+ (iPad only).
  • Windows: 10, 8, 7
• Web camera (internal or external) & microphone

• A desktop  computer or laptop (tablets, Chromebook and cell phones do not meet minimum requirements)
  • PC Users
    • Minimum - Windows Vista
    • Recommended - Windows 10 (10 S is not supported)
  • Mac Users
    • Minimum - OS X 10.5 or higher
    • Recommended OSX 10.15.5 Catalina (Additional information about enabling screen sharing for your browser)
• A working built-in or external webcam (minimum 640x480 resolution) and microphone
• Internet speed must be at least .768 Mbps download and .384 Mbps upload.   Hot spots are not recommended.  Test your internet speed.
• Memory
  • Minimum - 1024 MB
  • Recommended 2 GB
• Browser Google Chrome (preferred) or Mozilla Firefox with pop-up blocker disabled

• Google Chromebooks (supported for G Suite Certifications and G Suite Administrator exams)
• Tablets (Nexus, iPad, Tab, Note, etc.)
• Linux operating systems
• Windows 10 in S mode or Surface RT
• No running inside a virtual machine. You will be asked to reconnect using your host operating system to take your exam

• Students pay ProctorU directly for the proctoring service.
• Exam-proctoring charges may range from $7.50 to $25 for the 1st hour of exam time when properly scheduled in advance.
  • The cost of taking an exam with ProctorU varies based on the length of the exam, the level of proctoring required by the instructor, and how soon the exam will take place.

• Set up time (expected to be less than ten minutes) will not be included in the examination time.
• Students are advised to schedule exams at least 24 hours in advance to avoid late scheduling charges.
• Cancellation. In the event of an exam testing session no-show or a cancellation that occurs within 24 hours of a scheduled start time, ProctorU will be entitled to the entirety of its proctoring fee.

• Test taker information and Help Center
• How to get started
• What to expect on Exam Day

If your instructor permits, you may have to find an alternate test site for online test proctoring. Below are some suggestions:

The list provided below is not exhaustive. These are simply resources for finding test sites for proctored exams. You can go online to find others. This is just a helpful start.

1. TAMU-CC Office of Academic Testing
2. Testing Centers at universities, colleges, schools -
   • National College Testing Association is dedicated to the promotion of professionalism and quality in the administration of testing services and programs, including issues relating to test administration, test development, test scoring, and assessment.
   • Kryterion Testing Centers - A global network of High-stakes Online Secured Testing (HOST) locations through strategic partnerships with professional organizations such as colleges and universities, and testing and training companies.
3. Participating libraries, Sylvan Learning Centers, etc.
4. Individual proctors (with instructor's approval):
   • Supervisors, directors, military officers, law enforcement officers, judges, deans and department chairs, school administrators, and teachers. Proctors MAY NOT BE relatives, friends, other students, or persons residing at the same address.

All costs for exams and proctoring services are the responsibility of the student.