So you’re about to take your first online proctored exam and are curious about what the experience is like? Look no further! Here are five moments that sum up your online proctoring experience.

Checking In

First, you’re going to check into your exam session. A little daunting? Yes, but you can always review the instructions from the online proctoring services you’ll be using, listing what you’ll need for your test. Quiet, brightly lit room with a clear desk and no writing on the wall? Check. Photo ID with your name and photo on the same side? Check. Computer with mic, speakers, and webcam that’s connected to the internet? Check.

During check in you’re going to be asked to verify identity and may be asked to do a scan of your workspace.

Taking Your Exam

Next, you’re going to take your exam. Be sure to stay focused! Of course you can because there’s nothing in your room to distract you. Your teacher/professor sufficiently prepared you through all the Zoom lectures you attended and rewatched. You’ve studied the textbook and all your lecture notes and feel comfortable with the material. The exam is a breeze.

Communicating with Your Proctor

But, oh no, your Internet goes out and disconnects you for a minute, hovering around two bars and then… zilch. You don’t panic though because you know your proctor will understand. They’ve proctored you intently this entire exam session and they can see how hard you were working. You message your proctor and explain your situation. They will instruct you to get back onto your session and resume the exam. After that you are back in and ready to go. If you lose time and it affects your score then the proctor will contact your organization to let them know what happened. They will work to resolve the issue, whatever it may be: extra points or retest.

Checking Over Your Work

You’ve been sneaking glances at the timer on your exam, counting down the minutes and seconds until your exam ends. Despite the slight mishap with your Internet, you still have plenty of time to check over your work. You skim the exam again. Two minutes to go. You make a slight change to one of your answers, just a silly arithmetic mistake.

And time’s up! You’ll get your exam grade later but that’s out of your control. You don’t even have to worry about academic dishonesty because Proctor360’s online proctoring system confirms that you took your exam fairly. You breathe a sigh of relief as you shut down your computer. Instead of the crowd of students loitering around after an exam to exchange answers and frustrations, you’re alone and can completely shut it out of your mind.