Remote Proctoring Tips

If your administrator allows or requires you to take your exam via remote proctor, please read these instructions and troubleshooting tips to help you understand the remote proctoring process. If you are taking your exam using ProctorExam, you may be interested in our step-by-step guide or our troubleshooting tips.

Types of Remote Proctoring

Before you take a remotely-proctored test, it may help you to know that there are different kinds of proctoring services. Some require you to interact with a proctor via webcam and complete steps to ensure the security of your exam before you begin, others require you to configure your computer by yourself prior to the start of your test so that your exam may be secured and recorded. 

When you schedule your exam, you may receive instructions in a number of ways. To find information about your remotely-proctored exam:

• Check your email: When you register for a remotely-proctored exam, you will likely receive an email with further instructions for your exam process. If you don't see this right away, check your spam or junk folders. If you haven't received an email but you think you should have, email [e-mail].

• Check with your exam administrator: What organization is administering your exam? Who gave you the instructions for registering for your exam in the first place? This person or group likely has all the information you need if you feel lost. If you do not know this information, you can always email [e-mail]. 

• Check online: In some cases, your exam administrator will have you log in to a link to register for your exam (this link will have ".certifior.com" at the end of it). If you used this link to register, you can also use it to view additional instructions. Log in to your URL and you will be taken to your Program Dashboard. If you log in and don't believe you are seeing the right information, please email a screenshot to [e-mail]. Please include details like the name of your test, the date you are scheduled for, etc.

Preparing your Space

It is important to follow the instructions provided to you by your exam administrator and by any written or verbal communication from your proctor. But you can prepare ahead of time by knowing the basics.

• Privacy: You should take your exam in a private space like your home or closed office. You cannot get up, walk around or speak to anyone during your exam, so you should block off that time and notify co-workers or family that you will be busy. If you have to interrupt your exam to speak to someone, your exam will be flagged for review. 

• Internet Connection & Power: Having a strong, stable internet connection is your responsibility. If your internet drops or is otherwise affected during your exam, you can reach out to our support team. However, we cannot guarantee access to your exam or proctor once the connection has been lost. It is also your responsibility to ensure access to a power source in case your computer battery runs low. You should not get up during your exam to look for a charger or an outlet.

• Network Security: If you are taking your exam at work, you may experience difficulty launching your remotely-proctored exam. Network firewalls at your place of work may prevent you from sharing your screen, providing remote access to your computer or using your webcam or microphone. You can get around these issues by taking your exam on a private network (at home, for example) or by contacting your IT department (If you contact your IT department, explain that your exam requires remote access to your webcam, screen sharing and microphone. If your IT team determines that it needs to whitelist the sites you're using, email [e-mail] with your name and the name of your exam/organization. Our support team can tell you which URLs your IT team needs to whitelist).

• Peace & Quiet: Not only will you want to focus, but you will also want a quiet space to hear and speak to your proctor (if your exam is taken with a live proctor). If your exam is recorded and reviewed later, a noisy environment might cause your exam to be flagged. Leave a note on your door and turn off your phone to prevent any interruptions. 

• No Electronics: Make sure that all cell phones, tablets, eReaders, and other electronics are turned off and stored away. You will not be allowed any outside electronics or other study materials during your exam unless specifically stated by your administrator. 

Hardware Requirements

If you are taking your exam via remote proctor, you will need 4 basic things:

1. Access to your computer's webcam
2. Access to your computer's microphone
3. Access to your computer's speakers
4. Access to your computer's screen-sharing ability

If you are missing any of these requirements, please contact your administrator right away to see if special accommodations can be made. If you are using a work computer or are on a shared network, you may be experiencing issues with network security (please see above). Remotely-proctored tests can be taken on many different types of computers, but cannot be taken on computers with no webcam.