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Exam Proctoring

Overview

Some of your online courses may require you to take online proctored exams. During course registration, course descriptions will specify that proctored exams may be required, and fees may be incurred depending on the location and method that you choose. Your instructor may also indicate the requirement through the course syllabus, Blackboard announcement or email. After the last day to drop/add has passed, students will receive an email from UA Online Testing Services with information about their proctored exams and how to schedule.

Instructors determine whether proctored exams are required for their course. A proctor supervises you while taking an exam online or in-person to ensure academic integrity. Additional information about proctoring guidelines and expectations is available on our website.

Online Proctoring

Online proctoring requires the use of a webcam and microphone to monitor the testing environment and the use of screen-sharing to monitor your exam. Online proctors will take security measures, including a scan of your testing environment and a photo ID check. By proceeding with online proctoring, you consent to the use of a virtual room scan and monitoring. Online proctors may also stop the exam and make spot checks if they feel that any academic dishonesty has taken place. If you are uncomfortable with a room scan of your testing environment, please relocate to an alternative testing environment that will allow for the room scan.

All online proctoring is available through SmarterProctoring. If you are unable to adhere to the online proctoring procedures, we recommend scheduling with an in-person proctor.

In-Person Proctoring

Students taking paper exams are required to test with an in-person proctor; students taking online exams have the option to test with an in-person proctor. All in-person proctors must have an account with SmarterProctoring.

SmarterProctoring, the platform for scheduling exams with an approved in-person proctor, will only show potential proctors with existing accounts. Students who have difficulty finding a suitable proctor in their area through SmarterProctoring, due to availability or location, are encouraged to search for other options. It’s important to ensure the proctor meets one of the criteria listed below and is willing to set up an account with SmarterProctoring. Exam information will not be provided outside of SmarterProctoring.

Proctor Qualifications

All proctors must meet one of the following criteria below in order to be eligible for approval:

• Library/Librarian (proctor must be employed by the specified library)
• Professional Testing/Educational Center (such as Sylvan Learning Center)
• Institutional Testing Center (such as a two- or four-year regionally accredited college with a testing center)
• Testing Administrator/Director/Associate (proctor must be employed by the specified testing center)
• Military Personnel/Military Base Testing Center (for active-duty students only)
• Educational Professional (such as a high school teacher, principal or counselor – for Early College students only)

Taking a proctored exam

• A government-issued photo ID or UA Action Card is required for all proctored exams. It’s important to read all exam and proctoring instructions and guidelines to ensure you are prepared. Depending on the proctoring method and location chosen, additional IDs may be required in order to test.
• Students intending to test online will be required to allow a room scan, which includes a scan of your room and desk area. You will need to look at your testing area before starting your exam and remove any personal items you do not want included in the scan.
• Cell phones, smart watches, tablets and dual monitors are strictly prohibited during all proctored exams. Additionally, the use of any unauthorized devices or materials is a violation of the exam and proctoring guidelines. Noncompliance may result in the revocation of your permission to use proctoring. [Return to Top]

Respondus vs. UAOTS

What’s the Difference?

Respondus LockDown Browser

• Lockdown Browser, or Respondus Monitor, serves as a secure tool specifically designed for taking tests in Blackboard. If your instructor intends to use Respondus for your online exams, please reach out to them for more information. If you need assistance or have questions about Respondus, please contact the Office of Information Technology (OIT). UA Online Testing Services cannot provide proctoring services for online exams administered through Respondus Lockdown Browser or Respondus Monitor.

UA Online Testing Services

We offer proctoring services for online courses for UA Online and main campus students, facilitating both online and paper exams. Students enrolled in courses using our proctoring services will receive an email notification after the proctored exam setup process is complete with information about the proctoring methods that will be available for the specific course and how to schedule.

• Available Proctoring Options: We provide two forms of proctoring services: online and in-person, both on and off campus. The proctoring methods available to students are chosen by the instructor. Depending on the instructor and the type of exams, some courses may not offer all of the proctoring methods.

• Requirements for Online Proctoring: Online proctoring requires students to have a laptop or desktop computer with an internal or external webcam. Fees for online proctoring vary based on the method chosen online method by the instructor (automated or live proctoring) and the exam’s duration.
  • Please be aware that all online sessions require room and desk scans via webcam.
  • Room scans should consist of your room, all areas of your desk and the items you intend to use during the exam, such as a calculator or scratch paper.
  • If you are using a desktop with an internal webcam, you will still need to provide a room scan. If a room scan is not possible with the internal webcam, you may need to purchase or rent an external webcam.

• In-Person Proctoring Procedures: For in-person proctoring, students are required to schedule their exams with a UA-approved proctor through SmarterProctoring. All proctors must have an account and meet the established criteria to be considered for approval. Once a student schedules their exam through SmarterProctoring, all pertinent details, including passwords and exam files, are securely shared with the proctor’s account.

Students located on campus or near the Tuscaloosa area are welcome to schedule with the Campus Testing Center in Houser Hall through SmarterProctoring. All students must schedule at least two days in advance. [Return to Top]

Proctored Exam Scheduling

How Does It Work?

How do I schedule?

All proctored exams must be scheduled through the Proctored Exam Scheduling tab on your Blackboard course page. Students enrolled in courses using our proctoring services will receive an email notification after the proctored exam setup process is complete with information about the proctoring methods that will be available for the specific course and how to go about scheduling. The proctoring methods available to students are chosen by the instructor. Depending on the instructor and the type of exams, some courses may not offer all of the proctoring methods.

Please keep in mind that it’s your responsibility to schedule your exams, whether you are intending to test online or with an in-person proctor on or off campus. Exam extensions must be approved by your instructor, and we must receive confirmation directly from them before making any date changes in the scheduling portals.

Available Proctoring Methods

Online Proctoring

• All online proctoring is available through SmarterProctoring (additional fees apply).
• A laptop or desktop computer with an internal or external webcam is required. Chromebooks are also acceptable.
• A government-issued photo ID or UA Action Card is required for all online proctored exams.
• All online proctoring sessions require a room and desk scan.
• iPads or mobile devices cannot be used cannot be used as a computer or as a webcam.

On-Campus Proctoring

• Located at the UA Testing Services office in Houser Hall, Room 2040 (on the second floor). No fees are required.
• Students must schedule at least two days in advance through SmarterProctoring. Next-day or same-day scheduling and walk-ins will not be permitted.
• A government-issued ID with a photo is required at check-in. It must be a physical ID with a picture, such as a physical UA Action card, driver’s license, passport, work ID card, pistol permit, etc.

Off-Campus In-Person Proctoring

• All students must schedule through SmarterProctoring with an approved proctor that meets one of the criteria listed in the acceptable proctor list.
• Fees may vary depending on the type of proctor and your location.
• A government-issued photo ID or UA Action Card is required for in-person proctoring off campus.
• All courses with paper exams will require an in-person proctor.
• If you need to set up a new proctor, please refer to the “For Proctors” tab. [Return to Top]

What Is Acceptable In-Person Proctoring?

What are the criteria for being an off-campus in-person proctoring site or proctor for UA?

• A two- or four-year college or university with a testing center.
  • The proctor must be employed by the testing center as a proctor or testing associate.
• An approved education center or tutoring center, such as Sylvan Learning Center.
• An approved public library with a currently employed librarian.
• High school principal, advisor or teacher (for UA Early College students only).

What are the criteria for being an off-campus in-person proctoring site or proctor for an active-duty military student?

• Education center or military base testing center at the soldier’s installation.
  • Dependents are eligible to use an education center or base testing center on a case-by-case basis; contact onlinetesting@ua.edu for assistance. They cannot use a military personnel proctor.
• Commissioned officer (0-1 and above)
• Warrant officer (W-1 and above)
• Senior NCO (E-7 and above)

Who is not an acceptable proctor?

• Family members
• Friends
• Co-workers (including supervisor, HR representative, etc.)
• Traveling proctor (proctor who is not employed at the testing location)
• Academic advisors, instructors or professors [Return to Top]

How-to FAQs

Exam Proctoring: How-To FAQs

“How do I take a proctored exam in my online class?”

It’s a question that students ask us all the time. While our office offers a few types of proctoring options, your instructor makes the final decision as to how they would like their exams to be administered. Here are some other frequently asked questions.

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Academic Integrity

Maintaining ethical standards

Students are expected to be honest and ethical in their academic work. Distance students, as well as on-campus students taking online courses, are held to the same standards as on-campus students.

Academic dishonesty is defined as “an (intentional) act of deception” in one or more of the following areas:

• Cheating: use or attempted use of unauthorized materials, devices, information or study aids.
• Fabrication: falsification or invention of any information.
• Assisting: helping another commit an act of academic dishonesty.
• Tampering: altering or interfering with evaluation instruments and documents.
• Plagiarism: representing the words or ideas of another person as one’s own.

Some examples of academic dishonesty include but are not limited to:

• The use of unauthorized materials, such as textbooks, notes or formula sheets not permitted for the exam.
• Collaborating on assignments and exams when collaboration is not allowed.
• Having someone take an exam for you or taking the exam for someone else.
• Obtaining exams or questions from exams through illicit means.
• The use of electronic devices – such as a phone, dual monitor or second computer – during an exam to look at unauthorized material or communicate with others.
• Uploading exam files and/or questions to a website to obtain answers to the exam.

In addition to maintaining ethical standards, it’s also important to be mindful of all exam and proctoring guidelines. It’s crucial for students to adhere to all instructions and guidelines provided by their instructors and the testing platforms to maintain academic honesty and integrity. Not following these guidelines undermines the integrity of the testing process and may lead to a change or revocation of in-person proctoring locations or online proctoring options.

Some examples of behavior that could be considered dishonest or noncompliant with testing instructions include but are not limited to:

• Failing to conduct a required room and desk scan during an online proctoring session.
• Not showing items that will be used during the exam.
• Not providing required identification.
• Leaving the view of the webcam during the exam when instructed to remain visible.
• Saving, downloading and/or printing exam questions and answers during an online or in-person proctoring session.
• Disabling or tampering with a webcam, monitoring software or controls during the exam.

Students will receive reminders to adhere to exam and proctoring guidelines. In cases of repeated noncompliance, students will be issued a formal warning. Failure to comply, even after a formal warning, will lead to a potential change or revocation of in-person proctoring locations or online proctoring options. This action can remain in place for the current term or subsequent terms if necessary. Additionally, formal warnings may also remain on the student’s record for the current term or subsequent terms if necessary. [Return to Top]