This article will walk you through the process of finding, accessing, and taking your ProctorU exam within Blackboard.
How to Find Your Exam and Prepare to Use the ProctorU Platform
How to Navigate the Guardian Pre-Check Process
What Happens After You Click “Begin Exam”
How to Find Your Exam and Prepare to Use the ProctorU Platform tool within Blackboard
Accessing Your Exam
Log in to your Blackboard Learning Management System and access the ProctorU Platform tool.
If you are unsure of where to locate the ProctorU Platform tool in your LMS, follow the steps outlined in this article.
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How to Find Your Exam within the ProctorU Platform Tool
- Log in to your Blackboard account.
- Click on the ProctorU Platform tool
- Access the “My Sessions” page.
- Locate the exam you wish to take in the Scheduled Exams table.
- Check the exam's specific requirements and rules by clicking the “Exam Rules” button.
- If your exam is ready to launch, you can start the pre-check process by clicking the “Launch Exam” button.
Once you have accessed the “My Sessions” page you can start the exam precheck process by clicking “Launch Exam”.
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How to Find Your Exam within the ProctorU Platform tool
- Log in to your Blackboard Account.
- Click on the ProctorU Platform tool.
- Access the “My Sessions” page.
- .Search for the exact course name and exam name in the Record+ Exams section.
- Please note that you must be enrolled in the course to gain access to the exam.
- Search for the exam you wish to take in the Record+ Exams section table.
- Press the "Start Session" to begin the precheck process.
Blackboard Record+ Test-Taker Experience Video
The Guardian Browser
For most exams proctored through the ProctorU Platform, you will need to download the Guardian Browser. For a guide on how to download and install Guardian as well as troubleshooting tips check our guide on Guardian Browser installation.
Some exams may instead require using the Guardian Extension through Google Chrome. If this is the case for your exam, you will instead be prompted to install the Guardian Extension through the Google Chrome Store.
Online Proctoring Preparation Best Practices
To ensure a smooth launch process on exam day, we recommend taking the following steps after scheduling your exam. Take a moment to read the following requirements to ensure that you and your testing environment will be ready at the start of your exam.
Steps to Take Before Exam Day
- Download the Guardian Browser. You will connect to your proctoring appointment through this secure browser.
- Test your equipment to be sure your device meets the platform and browser’s requirements for testing.
- Identify a quiet, well-lit room where you can be alone during your exam, ideally with your back toward the door so your proctor can clearly see whether anyone else enters the room.
- Review the tutorials and how-to documentation in our Test-Taker Library for answers to common questions.
How to Prepare Yourself and Your Exam Space
- Have a non-expired government-issued I.D. or another form of identification allowed by your institution or testing organization.
- Review required materials to make sure you have everything you will need. Your test sponsor may have additional requirements or rules about resources permitted during your exam.
- Clear your workspace of all materials except those allowed by your instructor or testing organization.
- Close all third-party programs and unplug any additional monitors you may have.
- Remove any non-religious head coverings.
- Finally, for the best chances at having an issue free exam we recommend restarting your computer before taking an exam and using a wired internet connection.
How to Navigate the Guardian Pre-Check Process
Once you have launched your exam you will be taken through the pre-check process, a series of steps to help prepare your device and authenticate your identity. The screens below are meant to provide a general overview of what to expect. Please note that the exact steps will vary depending on the configuration of your specific exam.
Quick Tips Screen
The first set of screens will depict a series of quick tips about Guardian, including key elements of the interface and any new features.
Welcome Screen
The welcome screen will let you know what to expect during your exam, which resources are allowed, and a list of any accommodations you may have. Once you are ready, click the “Get Started” button to move forward.
Depending on your exam configuration, you may be asked to install the LogMeIn (LMI) applet or share your screen.
Installing the LMI Applet and Sharing Your Screen With the Guardian Extension
You may be prompted to install the LMI applet. This application is used to connect you to your proctor and exam. Review this LMI installation tutorial on how to configure your computer's security settings for your exam.
Alternatively, if you are using the Guardian extension, you will be asked to share your screen. The prompt to share your screen should be displayed automatically. If it is not, you may need to enable screen-sharing for Google Chrome.
Check the following links for instructions on how to enable your computer's security settings to be compatible with LMI or the Guardian Extension.
Preferred Devices
Next, you will see a device selection screen. From here, you can select the camera and microphone devices you wish to use during your exam. You will also be able to select and preview the screen you’re sharing with your proctor. Once you have begun recording your exam, you can access these settings at any time by clicking the “Live” button in the top right of the guardian browser, next to the URL bar.
If you are taking an exam with the Guardian Extension, this screen will be skipped. Extension users can change their output and input devices using the relevant controls within Google Chrome.
Allowed Exam Resources and Materials
The next screen will present you with a list of resources and materials available or allowed during your exam. You may be presented with the option to confirm which materials you will use during your exam or be prompted to photograph your notes or books. If you’re not prompted to take those actions, you will simply be shown a list that your proctor may confirm later.
Accommodations
Next, you will be shown a list of any accommodations that may have been applied to your account or this exam. If you believe you have an accommodation that is not listed on this screen, your proctor will be able to confirm it before your exam begins.
Facial and ID Photos
On the next screen, you will be prompted to take a photo of your face and an approved form of ID. Please make sure the photos are centered and well lit. If you aren’t satisfied with your photo, you can click the “Retake” button to take another.
Self-Guided Room Scan
Depending on the configuration of your exam, the next screen may prompt you to take a series of photographs of your testing space. This is done to ensure testing integrity and validate that your testing area complies with your exam’s rules. Make sure to follow the on-screen instructions carefully when taking these photos. As with the facial and ID photo steps, you may click the “Back” button to re-take a previous photo if you are unhappy with any of the photos you have taken.
If you are not prompted to complete a self-guided room scan during the pre-checks, you will instead be taken directly to the exam lobby to wait for your proctor to connect. After they connect, your proctor will ask you to perform a similar process before beginning your exam.
The Exam Lobby and Proctor Connection
The final screen of the pre-check process is the exam lobby.
If your exam is configured to use an automated proctor, you may begin testing at any time by clicking the “Begin Exam” button on this screen. Your exam’s timer will not begin until you have clicked this button.
If your exam is proctored by one of our live proctors, you will be shown an expected wait timer. Your proctor is on their way! When your proctor connects, they will begin to communicate with you using the chatbox. If your chatbox is integrated within the Guardian Browser, it will appear in the bottom right side of the browser window, with the option to toggle it open and closed. If you were prompted to install the LMI Applet during the pre-checks, your chatbox will appear in its own window. In either case, please carefully follow the instructions given to you by your proctor.
Once you have followed all of your proctor's instructions they will take you into your exam. Good luck!
Things Your Proctor May Ask You To Do
Your proctor may ask you to repeat one or more of the steps you already completed during the pre-checks, such as taking another look at your ID or showing them your testing room. They may also ask you to perform additional steps for exam security. Some of these steps may be specific to your exam or testing organization. The steps your proctor requests may include:
- Requesting an additional form of ID
- Requesting you hold up materials, scratch paper, or other resources you will be using during your exam
- Requesting to temporarily take control of your device so they may check for background processes and close unpermitted applications
- A check of your ears or wrists
- A check of your monitors
- A pan of your camera across your room and desk
The Exam Lobby With an Automated Proctor
The Exam Lobby With a Live Proctor
What Happens After You Click “Begin Exam”
Exam Passwords
Many exams require a password or passcode before you are able to begin the exam. After clicking “Begin Exam,” the password may be entered in one of two ways:
- For most exams the Guardian Browser will automatically input and submit the password on your behalf. In these instances, you will not be prompted to enter a password and you will automatically enter your exam.
- For some exams, your proctor will request to temporarily take control of your device so they can input and submit the password. Please follow their instructions carefully. Once this is done, you will have access to your exam. Your exam’s timer will not begin until the password is submitted.
The Proctor Chat and Getting Help
During your exam, you can reach out to your proctor or to support at any time by clicking the “Support” button in the sidebar of Guardian sidebar or by opening the proctor chat box. Your proctor will be happy to support you with any questions related to your experience with the ProctorU Platform, but they are not allowed to provide any assistance with the subject matter or content of your exam.
Proctor Requests and Breaks During Exams
Please review the list of actions that are typically not allowed during an exam. Your live proctor will not interrupt you unless they notice one of those actions during your exam. If you are allowed breaks during your exam, be sure to inform your proctor before stepping away from your computer. If you leave your camera’s field of view, your proctor may ask you to re-secure your room with a quick room-scan.
Submitting Your Exam
If you have an automated proctor, be sure to click submit once you’ve completed your exam and take the post-exam steps outlined below.
If you have a live proctor, you will need to message them before submitting your exam. Your proctor may ask you to perform a few quick tasks before ending your session, such as showing your notes or erasing a whiteboard. Once these steps are completed, your proctor will end your session with ProctorU.
Steps to Take After Submitting Your Exam
After your exam has been submitted and your session has been ended, a window may open requesting that you complete a short survey about your proctoring experience. We do hope you’ll take a few minutes to tell us how we did!
Keep in mind, neither Meazure Learning nor the ProctorU Platform have access to the results of your exam. To find your exam results, you will need to contact your institution or test provider.
To fully disconnect, you will need to close the Guardian Browser or the Chrome Browser if your exam was facilitated through the Guardian Extension. If your exam required the installation of the LMI applet, you will need to close that proctor chat window as well.