Overview of Proctoring for Exams in Online Courses

Important Points to Remember: Only use D2L to set up your exam. Do not go to the ProctorU website to set up your exam. MTSU uses the Record+ option only.

1. Students no longer have to schedule a quiz. Students go into ProctorU through D2L not the ProctorU website. Students take your quiz at any time within the window you have set up.
2. Updates to your Quiz should be done in D2L, not ProctorU. Updates to your quiz take 24 hours to appear in ProctorU.
3. You must give your quiz a password for the quiz to be proctored in ProctorU.

To help you get started,

1. Follow the Adding Proctor U to your D2L Course NavBar instructions.
2. Review this quick how-to video.
3. Student resource (feel free to share this with your students) – Getting Started

If you have questions or need assistance, contact us with our Online Faculty Support Request.

Five Faculty Options for Proctoring

Proctoring Option	Student Cost	Location
1. ProctorU	No Cost	Online
2. Proctoring by the course instructor in person	No Cost	MTSU on-campus classroom or lab
3. Proctoring by the course instructor via videoconference (Zoom, Teams, etc.)	No Cost	Online
4. MTSU Testing Center	No Cost	On MTSU Campus at the MTSU Testing Center
5. Approved off-site testing center	There a fee per exam, which varies depending on which testing center the student chooses.	An off-site testing center location chosen by the student and approved by the instructor.

Details For Each Proctoring Option

Option 1: ProctorU (no cost to students)

ProctorU is an online proctoring service that requires the student to use their computer with a webcam and microphone and install the Guardian browser. Chromebooks, smartphones, tablets, and iPads are not supported. The computer must use Windows or Mac OS.

Instructor Procedures

1. Set up a personal account and schedule your proctored activity.
2. Review the information to get started.
3. Set up the exam or activity in ProctorU. 
4. Getting help
   • Contact David Babb, MTSU Online Director of Operations, and he can help.
   • ProctorU Instructor Training Link
   • ProctorU Support (24/7 Phone Support & Non-urgent Requests) Link

Proctored exams administered via ProctorU must be password-protected.

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Option 2: Proctoring by the course instructor in person (no cost to students)

When arranging the time of the proctored activity, take care to avoid conflicts with the schedules of other courses students are taking. This method is not viable for students who do not live within a driveable distance of the MTSU campus.

Geographically distant online students who cannot attend the face-to-face activity should be given an online option.

Instructor Led Proctoring Procedures

1. Create the activity in D2L. Remember to add a password.
2. Reserve a classroom space for your proctored activity with computers or request your students bring laptops.
3. Notify your students through email, announcements, and syllabus.
4. Provide your students with detailed information on your proctored activity (method, date, time, location, etc.).
5. Remind your students that they must present a photo I.D. when they take your activity.
   • Early in the term, reserve a room for your proctored activity.
   • To avoid high-demand times (during mid-terms and finals), consider scheduling your proctored activity at other times during the semester.
   • As soon as the room has been scheduled, notify your students immediately via email, announcements, discussion posting, etc.
   • The course instructor must be present for the proctored activity.
   • Inform students of the consequences of a missed activity.
   • Inform students that they must bring a student photo ID. If an ID is not produced, the student will forfeit the opportunity to earn a grade for the proctored activity.
   • Faculty can consider working with other faculty to proctor each other’s activities.
   • If a student cannot come to the campus, see the other options on this page.

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Option 3: Proctoring by the course instructor via videoconference (Zoom, Teams, etc.) (no cost to students)

Instructor Procedure

1. Create the activity in D2L. Remember to add a password.
2. Notify your students through email, announcements, and syllabus.
3. Provide your students with detailed information on your proctored activity (method, date, time, etc.).
4. Remind your students that they must present a photo I.D. when they begin your activity.
   • Use platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Google Meet for live proctoring during exams.
   • Instruct students to position their cameras to show their workspace and screen.
   • MTSU Online recommends using groups no larger than five students per approved proctor so the proctor(s) can adequately monitor the students.

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Option 4. Using the MTSU Testing Center (no cost to students)

Instructor and Student Procedures

1. The student schedules a test time with the MTSU Testing Center. Here is the form for scheduling the test time.
2. The student contacts the instructor with the date/time they are scheduled.
3. The instructor contacts the Testing Center and provides them with the information below about the proctored activity.
   • Course (course name and section(s))
   • Exam duration (i.e., 90 minutes, 2 hours, etc.)
   • Exam dates (i.e., 9/3-9/6)
   • Exam password. Do not give the password to students.
   • Any material that will be allowed during the exam
   • Instructor contact information (in the event the testing center needs to contact you)
4. The student will complete the proctored activity at the testing center under the supervision of a certified test proctor.  

Option 5. Using an approved off-site testing center (for a fee)

It is the student’s responsibility to arrange for the proctored exam to be held at an approved testing site.

You can start your review of testing centers in the USA at the NCTA, National College Testing Association Proctoring Network. The purpose of the NPN is to make test administration services available to students away from their campuses. There may be additional locations not on this list.

1. After the student locates an off campus proctor, they should visit the MTSU Testing Center website and complete this form to schedule an off campus proctor.
2. Create the activity in D2L. Remember to add a password.
3. A minimum of 15 days in advance of the proctored activity, the student should schedule the proctored activity and provide the necessary contact information to the instructor.
4. Proctored activities that take place outside of the classroom environment must be password protected. The instructor will make the password available to the testing center administrator or proctor (not to the student) prior to the proctored activity date.

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Additional Alternative Proctoring Methods

1. Faculty-Led Proctoring via Zoom/Webex – The instructor or a designated proctor could monitor students via video conferencing.
2. Loaner Laptops or Equipment Access
   • Library or Community Resources – If students are near a public library or community center, they may have access to computers that support proctoring software.
   • Local College or University Partnerships – Some institutions allow visiting students to use their testing centers or computer labs. 

3. Flexible Testing Options
   • Alternative Assessments – If proctored exams are an issue, consider alternative assessments such as open-book projects, oral exams, or written assignments.
   • Faculty-Approved Testing Locations – Allow students to use a community testing center or another educational institution that offers proctoring. 

4. Partnerships with Local Organizations
   • Public Libraries – Many libraries have computers available for public use, and some offer private rooms that could be used for proctored exams.
   • Community Colleges or Universities – Even if students are not enrolled, local institutions may allow them to use their computer labs or testing centers.
   • Workforce Development Centers – Some state or local job training centers have computer labs that may be available for student use. 

5. Employer-Based Testing
   • If a student is employed, some workplaces may allow them to take an exam using a company computer in a private setting. This is especially helpful for students in professional or technical fields. 

6. Proctoring at Military or Government Facilities
   • If students are active military, many bases offer proctoring services. 

7. If traditional proctored exams are not feasible, consider:
   • Oral exams via video call
   • Portfolio-based assessments
   • Timed essay responses submitted through the LMS
   • Project-based or case study assessments

General Proctoring Best Practices

1. Ensure that your syllabus clearly describes the proctoring process, including any pre-test review of the test setting. 
2. Ensure that your syllabus clearly describes your arrangement for an alternative to your preferred proctoring method, including one of the five options on this page.  
3. Consider and plan for remote proctoring options for online students who are not geographically local.