Proctored Exam FAQs

How do I schedule an exam with accommodations?

Complete this form: DSS Exam Request Form

What are your hours?

What happens if I don't take my proctored assessment?

Failure to Assess

Instructors will assign a failing grade to students who do not participate in at least one proctored event for the course. Refer to OTC’s Policies and Procedures Manual, section 2.21.

Why are proctored events necessary?

At OTC, online courses are required to have a proctored event, per 2.21 – Proctored Events for Online Courses – OTC Policies and Procedures. One type of proctored event is the proctored exam.

What is the student's role in proctoring arrangements?

Where at OTC may students take proctored assessments?

OTC Testing Services proctors assessments for academic courses at all OTC campuses and outside entities. For more information, see the above sections for making proctored arrangements.

What off-campus locations may students use for proctoring?

Each OTC Online class requires one proctored assessment (some courses may require more). Students may take these at any OTC facility or approved off-campus location. Examples of acceptable off-campus proctors include professional librarians at a public library, high school administrators or counselors. Authorized staff at U.S. military bases or embassies are also an option. Examples of unacceptable proctors are friends, relatives or employers. Students who qualify to complete the proctored assessment off-campus must complete the Off-Campus Proctoring Approval Form. Prior to visiting the proctoring location, students should confirm with the proctor that the received all needed materials. If not, students should notify their instructor.

Proctorio

OTC also offers students in many online courses the option to proctor their exam at home using Proctorio. Since this option does not apply to all courses, students should ask their instructor about its use in specific courses.

Who approves the off-campus form?

Completing the off-campus proctoring form is the first step.  Testing Services will approve off-campus proctors under the guidelines of OTC Online. Both the instructor and OTC Online must approve exceptions to the above general rules.

What resources are available to help students locate a proctor and location?

OTC is a member of the National Consortium of College Testing Centers, which provides students a list of participating U.S. and international institutions that offer proctoring services. The consortium’s website also provides the contact and fee information for the participating testing centers. If the student is unable to locate a facility, OTC Online may help find an appropriate off-campus testing facility in domestic or foreign locations.

Are proctored assessments online, or must they be completed on paper?

OTC offers proctored exams for online courses via the Canvas Learning System.

At this time, proctored exams for most online math courses are all paper-based because the nature of completing math problems requires students to show the step-by-step process for solving problems. Most off-campus proctoring locations, domestic or foreign, have computers with Internet connectivity available for students to use.

Are instructors allowed to proctor their own assessments?

Yes, instructors may serve as proctors. But if they choose to do so, they cannot offer their proctoring services as the sole option or at a single date and time. Instructors cannot require students to meet on campus at the same time to take an assessment proctored by the instructor. For more information, the instructor should contact OTC Online at (417) 447-8200.

How much time should instructors give students for completing the proctoring requirement?

The policy does not stipulate completion times.  The time for completion will vary depending on the type of assessment.  The course instructor will provide needed information.

Can instructors require students to come to a class meeting to take a proctored assessment?

No. Instructors cannot treat the proctoring requirement like a “campus meeting.” They must allow students to arrange for proctoring at a place and time convenient for them. Hybrid courses are exceptions to this rule. Please see the question below entitled “Are proctored assessments a requirement in hybrid courses?”

How does the proctoring requirement affect online math courses?

Currently, online math courses require that students take every exam under proctored conditions. The number of proctored exams varies depending on the specific math course and the instructor. For more information, contact the OTC Math Department at (417) 447-8217.

Are proctored assessments a requirement in hybrid courses?

No. In hybrid courses, instructors can give assessments during regularly scheduled “seat” time. Hybrid courses may include proctored assessments if the instructor chooses. In the event the instructor requires a proctored assessment, please see the above sections for making proctored arrangements.

What does proctoring cost students?

OTC’s offers testing services at no charge to OTC students. However, some non-OTC testing centers charge a fee to proctor exams for OTC students. Any fees associated with off-campus proctoring for online courses are the student’s responsibility.

OTC Testing Services offers proctoring services for non-OTC students or other individuals needing proctored testing services. Please contact the Testing Services office at (417) 447-8187 for fee information. You may also visit the Testing Services web page for more information about non-OTC testing services.

Who can students contact for help with proctoring arrangements?

For both Off-campus and On-campus proctoring arrangements, contact Testing Services at (417) 447-8187

How can Dual Credit students take proctored exams?

Dual credit students taking online courses have a few options for taking proctored exams.

1 – The best and preferred option is for students to take their proctored exams at their high school with a high school employee designated as the proctor. In this case, when a student has an upcoming exam:

  • The student(s) should let their proctor know when they plan to take the exam.
  • The dual credit proctor will then request exam information and password from Testing Services (testingservices@otc.edu).
    • Please send us the student name(s), and course code including section number (e.g., MTH-128-W05), when requesting an exam password.
    • For example: “Jane Smith, John Doe, and Steven Student would like to take the proctored exam for ENG-100-W01 on June 6.”
  • We will send the test information by the end of the day before the exam is scheduled to be taken.
  • We would like 48-hours advance notice of when your student(s) will be taking an exam so that we can collect the proctoring information and send it to you.
  • PLEASE DO NOT RELEASE THE EXAM PASSWORD TO THE STUDENT/TESTER.

 

2 – When utilizing a high school proctor is not feasible, students may use Proctorio for most courses (there are some exceptions). If utilizing Proctorio for an online exam:

  • Proctorio is an online proctoring system, used through a browser extension, which requires a good internet connection and a webcam.
  • Testing Services does not need to be contacted about exams which will be taken through Proctorio.
  • Exam passwords are entered automatically when using Proctorio; it should not ask for an access code.
  • If there are any issues with Proctorio, contact OTC Online or Proctorio Support.

 

3 – Finally, if neither of those options is possible, students may need to have their exam proctored elsewhere (e.g., another community college, a library) and may request off-campus proctoring.

What are the expectations for Off-Campus and Dual Credit proctors?

Whether at a high school or an off-campus location, when proctoring our students, we ask that:

  1. The identity of the student is verified.
  2. The student is monitored during the entirety of the exam.
  3. The exam is completed in one sitting.
  4. The student will not be allowed to see a provided password.
  5. Instructions provided by the instructor are adhered to.
  6. If this is a paper/pencil exam, you scan and email the exam back to the instructor.
  7. You are not a relative, friend, clergy, and/or employer.

Can I take my COM-105 proctored event at the Testing Center?

  • Students who are taking COM-105 will need to reach out to our Speech Communication Center regarding their proctored event. They will be your point of contact, rather than Testing Services. This information is also in the course syllabus.