ProctorU Student Information

The University of Connecticut has partnered with ProctorU for proctoring services for online courses.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction to ProctorU
  2. Getting Started with ProctorU
  3. Scheduling Your Exam(s)
  4. Taking Your Exam(s)
  5. Tips for Success
  6. Support

Introduction to ProctorU

What Is ProctorU?

ProctorU is a service used to authenticate a user’s identity and provide live proctoring of online assessments. Test-takers use ProctorU’s Guardian Browser, which enhances exam security by preventing the user from accessing unauthorized resources and functions on their computer. ProctorU uses a multi-step process to establish a user’s identity: a live proctor sees the user via a webcam, takes the user’s photo, and checks the user’s ID. In addition to the authentication process, proctors ensure the integrity of the exam by using a webcam and screen-sharing technology to see the user and what they are doing during the exam session.

Why Does UConn Use ProctorU?

ProctorU:

  • Allows flexibility and convenience for students to take assessments in online courses that might otherwise require in-person meetings.
  • Adds value to your degree in support of maintaining high academic standards through academic integrity and user authentication.
  • Helps meet accreditation standards and federal requirements: New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) accreditation Standard 4.48 and Federal requirements under Sec. 602.17(g)of the Higher Education Act of 1965.

Is There an Additional Cost to Use ProctorU?

There is no additional cost; the cost of exam proctoring is included in the Online Course Fee. However, students that schedule less than 72 hours before the exam starts will incur a late fee. Cancellations and no-shows may also incur a fee. NOTE: Finding an available appointment less than a week before an exam is highly unlikely.

How Does ProctorU Work?

Watch The Student Experience Through Guardian: What to Expect During Your Remote Proctored Exam for an overview of the ProctorU experience. (Note: The video references multiple types of proctoring. UConn uses Live+ proctoring, where a proctor monitors the test-taker throughout the exam.)

Getting Started with ProctorU

To use ProctorU, you must meet certain technical, software, location, and identity verification requirements. Before the official start of classes and no later than the second day of the course, read How to Get Started with the ProctorU Platform and complete the following steps:

  1. Create a Test-Taker ProctorU Account.
  2. Download and install the Guardian Browser.
  3. Ensure that your equipment is compatible with the minimum requirements and test your equipment.
    • Chromebooks and tablets are not supported devices.
    • You must have a working webcam (includes microphone).
    • You must have a front-facing smartphone camera or mirror to complete the monitor scan.
    • Use a fast and reliable internet connection — hardwire directly to your modem, if possible. Other users on your network, especially other high-bandwidth activities, can affect the speed of your connection and disrupt your exam. We recommend a minimum 3 Mbps upload/download speed which is higher than ProctorU’s published minimum speed. Run an internet speed test like Google’s Internet speed test or speedtest.net to determine your speed.
    • Ensure you can access the ProctorU service from your location. This is especially important if you are not in the United States.
    • Complete the equipment test using the actual computer, location, and set-up where you will take the exam.

Scheduling Your Exam(s)

Schedule your exam appointment as soon as possible, but at least one week in advance.

  • If you schedule less than one week in advance, you may not find an available exam appointment.
  • If you (find an available appointment late and) schedule less than 72 hours before the exam starts, you will be charged a late fee and may experience additional wait time for a proctor. The University does not pay for student late fees incurred as a result of your failure to meet this deadline.
  • When selecting an appointment time that works with your personal schedule, allot 30 minutes to complete the start-up process plus the time your instructor provides for the exam. While the start-up process typically only takes a few minutes, it can take longer if unexpected technical issues arise. The exam timer won’t start until your proctor launches the exam, but you don’t want to feel rushed because your exam session is scheduled too close to another commitment on your calendar.

If you need to reschedule your exam, we recommend that you contact ProctorU directly. Online cancellations will lose the original time slot and another appointment may not be available. Cancellations/rescheduling must be done at least 24 hours in advance to avoid paying a fee.

Taking Your Exam(s)

Review and follow the steps outlined in What to Expect on Exam Day.

  1. Choose a location that is appropriate for a monitored testing situation.
    • Quiet
    • Alone with no interruptions
    • Well-lit with no back-lighting
    • Ideally sit with your back toward the door
  2. Have all required materials for your exam, including:
    • Photo ID for authentication.
    • Smartphone with the front-facing camera or a mirror for the monitor scan.
    • Duo authentication method (likely your smartphone) to validate a new login to HuskyCT from the Guardian Browser.
  3. Clear your workspace and remove any unpermitted items including smart watches and tablets. If you’re using it for the monitor check and/or Duo authentication, you may keep your smartphone available for the exam start-up process.
  4. Review What am I allowed and not allowed to do during my exam? and Frequently Asked Questions About Exam Day.
  5. Review What time should I arrive for my exam? and expect some start-up time.
    1. Login 5 minutes early for your scheduled session.
    2. The session begins with an authentication process and set-up time. The start-up process typically takes 8–12 minutes but may take up to 20 minutes.
    3. After the start-up process, the proctor will enter the exam password and launch the exam; the exam timer begins when the exam is launched.
  6. During the exam: 
    • You will be monitored during the exam, and proctors may actively engage you in the event of a problem.
    • Notify the proctor when you are ready to submit the exam. The proctor watches the exam submission.
    • A chat feature is available if technical problems arise during testing.
    • Any exam irregularities or potential academic integrity incidents are documented in an Incident Report, which is emailed to your instructor to review and address.

    Tips for Success

    • Stay tuned to communications from your instructor regarding your exams, and review the rules related to your exams in the syllabus. Clarify any questions you have as early as possible.
    • If you are not in the United States, verify you can access and use ProctorU from your location.
    • If your computer, location, or set-up ever changes, run the equipment test again prior to starting the exam.
    • If available, complete the practice exam in your course to experience using ProctorU before a graded exam.
    • Sign-up for your session at least one week prior to the exam (preferably as soon as available).
    • Plan to take your exam in a private location that conforms to test rules and make sure you won’t be interrupted during the exam.
    • Connect to a network with a fast and reliable connection and where your bandwidth will take priority. Other high-bandwidth activities on your network can disrupt the test-taking experience.
    • Clear your workspace and remove any unpermitted items including smart watches and tablets.
    • Have your Photo ID and smartphone with front-facing camera or mirror ready.
    • Expect the start-up process to take up to 20 minutes. (The exam timer won’t start until your proctor launches the exam.)
    • Be aware that proctors may actively engage a student during an exam in the event of a potential problem.
    • Document technical problems by communicating with your instructor immediately (typically via email). Provide screenshots, when possible.
    • Have ProctorU support information available in case of technical issues.

    Support

    Accessibility Information

    Privacy Information

    Can ProctorU Access My Files?

    No. During the initial phase of the proctoring process, ProctorU — with permission from the test taker — has the ability to view the screen and use their mouse and keyboard as if the proctor was sitting next to the test taker. The proctor cannot access anything on the test taker’s computer without the test taker’s knowledge. Once the examination is launched, the proctor will change their permission to view only. During the monitoring phase, the proctor can monitor everything that happens on the student’s computer screen, but can no longer move the test taker’s mouse and keyboard. If something irregular occurs, the proctor can re-initiate the ability to move the test taker’s mouse and keyboard, in which case the test taker is alerted and can see everything that the proctor is doing. During this entire process, an interface log, or chat box, is running on the test taker’s computer and they can see what permissions the proctor currently has at any time. Finally, the entire session log is saved and there is a permanent record of what actions the proctor took while accessing the test taker’s computer. Throughout the process, the student can see everything the proctor is doing to their computer by watching them move their mouse.