Proctored Exam FAQ
Proctored Exam FAQ's
Proctored Requirement
All OTC online courses require online students to appear for a proctored assessment. The phrase "proctored exam" refers to the process of completing an exam in the presence of an approved person called a "proctor", who will verify the student's identity and monitor the exam completion process. The proctored assessment may be a midterm exam, comprehensive final, or other assessment as required by the instructor. The proctoring requirement means that students will need to make arrangements with a proctoring site, either at one of the OTC Testing Services offices or off-campus at a location convenient for the student. All OTC Testing Services offices have approved proctors. All off-campus locations and proctors must be approved in advance by the instructor or the Office of Online Teaching and Learning.
Making Proctored Arrangements
Students may arrange for proctored assessments to be completed either on-campus at an OTC Testing Services location or at another location off-campus. These options are explained in greater detail below. See the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Proctoring for more information.
- On-Campus Proctoring Option: If students wish to take their proctored exam at an OTC Testing Services location (Springfield, Richwood Valley, Branson, Lebanon, or Waynesville), they will need to complete the On-Campus Proctored Exam Request Form. This form allows students to schedule a date and time to take the exam and to choose the OTC campus where they wish to complete the proctored assessment. Students must submit this form in advance of the desired testing date. Computer availability is limited at the Testing Services locations, and submission of the request form serves as the student's request for an appointment to complete the assessment. Finals week is very busy at the Testing Services locations, and walk-ins will be accommodated as space allows.
- Off-Campus Proctoring Option: Students can choose to take the proctored exam off-campus at a library, a school, a government office, or another approved location that is convenient for them (See Item 5 in the FAQs). If students choose this option, they will need to make arrangements in advance with the proctor of their choice, obtaining detailed contact information, including an e-mail address, phone number, and other pertinent information. Students then email the completed Off-Campus Proctoring Arrangement Form to the instructor. This form should not to be sent to the Office of Online Teaching and Learning or OTC Testing Services. The instructor will then approve or disapprove the student's off-campus proctoring request. Once approval is granted, the instructor will communicate with the proctor, exchanging relevant information for the proctoring event. At least 24 hours before the proctored assessment date, the instructor should e-mail or fax the pertinent information to the off-campus proctor, along with any other relevant information and materials.
Frequently Asked Questions about Proctoring for Online Courses
1. Why does OTC feel that proctored assessments are necessary?
Some educational administrators, both at OTC and at other colleges and universities, believe that proctoring lends more credibility to online courses and increases the assurance of academic integrity.
2. What is the student's role in making proctoring arrangements?
Each online student is responsible for making arrangements for proctored assessments via the On-Campus or Off-Campus Proctoring Request Forms (See Making Proctored Arrangements above). The completed form should be submitted well in advance of the deadline specified by the student's instructor.
3. What is the instructor's role in making proctoring arrangements?
- By the end of the first week of the semester, the proctored exam dates should be available for students and the Instructor Proctoring Arrangement Form should be submitted to OTC Testing Services. The exam does not have to be created at this time; however, it should be prepared no later than 24 hours before the proctoring period begins.
- Instructors should make clear in their course syllabus which assessment will be proctored for their course and the timeframe for that assessment.
- Instructors should then set a deadline for students to submit an On-Campus or Off-Campus Proctoring Request Form (See Making Proctored Arrangements above).
- For on-campus exams: At least 24hours before the proctored assessment date, the instructor should e-mail or fax the required exam information directly to Testing Services. Exams requiring paper and pencil (e.g. MTH courses), should be submitted to Testing Services no later than 24 hours before the proctoring period begins.
- For off-campus exams: At least 24hours before the proctored assessment date, the instructor should e-mail or fax the pertinent information to the off-campus proctor, along with any other relevant information and materials
4. Where at OTC may students take proctored assessments?
OTC Testing Services, a part of Disability Support Services (DSS), proctors assessments for academic courses at all OTC campuses and outside entities. For more information, see the section above titled Making Proctored Arrangements
5. What offsite locations may students use for proctoring?
Standard proctoring sites include public libraries, testing facilities at other accredited colleges or universities, local school districts, U.S. military bases, or U.S. embassies.
6. Who at an offsite location may proctor an assessment for an OTC online course?
Standard approved proctors at the locations listed above include professional librarians; testing center officials, online education administrators, college or university faculty; K-12 teachers, counselors, or principals; testing control or unit education officers; and U.S. embassy officials. Relatives, clergy, and employers are not acceptable proctors.
7. Who approves offsite proctors?
The instructor must approve off-campus proctors under the guidelines of the Office of Online Teaching and Learning. Exceptions to the above general rules should be cleared both by the instructor and the Office of Online Teaching and Learning.
8. What resources are available to help students locate a proctor?
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 Web site also provides the contact and fee information for the participating testing centers. The Office of Online Teaching and Learning may be able to help locate an appropriate off-campus testing facility.
9. May proctored assessments be taken online, or must they be completed on paper?
All proctored exams for online courses should be offered online via the Blackboard Learning System. Any exceptions must receive prior approval by the Office of Online Teaching and Learning. Most off-campus proctoring locations have computers with Internet connectivity available for students to use. At this time, proctored exams for 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.
10. 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. Students cannot be required to meet on campus all at the same time to take an assessment proctored by the instructor. For more information the instructor should contact the Office of Online Teaching and Learning.
11. How much time should instructors give students for completing the proctoring requirement?
Because online courses attract students with hectic schedules, instructors should provide at least a one-week window of time in which to complete a proctored assessment and a two-hour exam time limitation. At least one Saturday should be included in the availability dates.
12. Can instructors require students to come to a class meeting to take a proctored assessment?
No. The proctoring requirement cannot be treated like a "campus meeting" with the instructor. Students must be allowed to arrange for proctoring at a place and time convenient for them. Hybrid courses are exceptions to this rule. Please see Item 14 below for more information.
13. How does the proctoring requirement affect online math courses?
Currently, online math courses require that every exam be taken under proctored conditions. The number of proctored exams varies depending on the specific math course as well as the instructor. For more information contact the OTC Math Department at 417-447-8217 or math@otc.edu.
14. Are proctored assessments a requirement in hybrid courses?
No. In hybrid courses, assessments can be given during regularly scheduled "seat" time. However, hybrid courses may include proctored assessments if the instructor chooses that option. In the event the instructor requires a proctored assessment event, please see the section above titled Making Proctored Arrangements
15. What does proctoring cost students?
- Currently, OTC's testing services are offered at no charge to OTC students. However, some non-OTC testing centers charge a nominal fee to proctor exams for OTC students. Any fees associated with off-campus proctoring for online courses are the student's sole 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 or testingservices@otc.edu for fee information. You may also visit the Testing Services web page for more information about non-OTC testing services.
16. Who can students contact for help with proctoring arrangements?
Students may contact the Office of Online Teaching and Learning at 417-447-8198 or eclass@otc.edu for assistance with proctoring arrangements. For OTC Testing Services appointment availability, the students may contact OTC Testing Services at (417) 447-8187 or testingservices@otc.edu.
