Hello and welcome to the FSW Student ProctorU Guide!
ProctorU is a service that monitors you while you're taking your exams online to ensure that no cheating takes place and to help you be successful. Using this service allows you the convenience of testing from home, in your dorm, or a private room at the library. They are available 24/7, so you can take your test whenever it's most convenient for you.
Select your exam type from the table of contents below to learn more about the steps and processes to prepare for and take a ProctorU exam successfully.
Please be aware that ProctorU is not compatible with Chromebooks.
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Record+Review+Operating Systems and Testing CentersProctorU Support Options
Record+
Before Exam Day
Please follow the steps below to prepare for your ProctorU Record+ exam before exam day:
1. Sign Up: Create a test-taker ProctorU account here.
2. Download the Guardian Browser: Make sure you download the Guardian browser.
3. Check Your Equipment: Test your equipment to make sure your system is compatible with ProctorU. Click here to see a full list of requirements.
Note: Please test your equipment before exam day in an environment that is identical to or close to your actual testing location.
4. Find an acceptable space to take your exam: The environment needs to be quiet, well-lit, and away from other people. The workspace area needs to be free of any materials not allowed on the exam. Using a hard surface for a workspace rather than a bed or couch is required.
5. Become familiar with materials allowed/needed for your exam: You can review a full list here outlining what ProctorU requires as well as a note about resources permitted by your instructor or exam facilitator.
6. Coordinate accommodations with your instructor or exam facilitator: If you require any special accommodations such as additional time, additional breaks, etc., you’ll need to follow these guidelines prior to your exam day.
Before Logging In To Take Your Exam:
Please follow the steps below before logging in to take your exam:
1. Have a government-issued I.D. (or other forms of ID allowed by your institution or testing organization) ready and be located in a private, well-lit room with no one else around you.
2. Clear your workspace of all materials except those allowed by your instructor or testing organization. Your work area should be cleared off, and non-affixed items should be removed before connecting to your proctor. For more information on testing areas, navigate to Unpermitted Testing Locations.
3. Have your permitted resources within arm’s reach.
4. Close all third-party programs and unplug any secondary monitors.
5. Remove any non-religious head coverings, sunglasses, earbuds, headphones, large jewelry, and watches.
6. If using a laptop, make sure the charger is plugged in.
7. Take a washroom break before the exam if needed. Many testing organizations do not allow breaks during the exam.
8. Make sure to download the Guardian Browser. (After downloading the Guardian browser, please close all applications and restart your computer).
Please Note: You do not need to schedule an appointment to take the exam and may take your exam while your quiz is available through Canvas (or your test delivery platform).
For more information on getting started with ProctorU, please visit the How to get started with your Testing Session (Guardian) guide.
What Happens During the Exam Launch Process?
This process will likely take between 2 to 5 minutes unless you experience technical difficulties, in which case we can assist you with fixing your equipment. This time is not subtracted from the time you’re allowed in your exam.
1. Click on the "Guardian Browser" icon to open the Guardian browser.
2. In the URL address bar at the top of the page, type in "fsw.instructure.com", and then click Enter on your keyboard.
If prompted with the "Canvas Gateway" page, click on the "I'm an FSW Student, Faculty, or Staff - I have FSW Credentials" button.
3. Sign in to Canvas using your Portal username and password when you’re ready to take your exam.
4. Navigate to the course where your exam is located and click on the test/quiz your instructor created.
5. Once you have entered your test, the ProctorU Pre-checks will appear automatically on your screen. Select the "Get Started" button to continue.
6. You’ll be required to accept exam guidelines and terms of service. Click the "Next" button.
7. The browser will prompt you to select your preferred devices and share your screen, a required part of being proctored online. (A) Select your preferred devices and then (B) click the "Begin Recording and Continue" button.
Review the resources allowed during your exam, then click the "Next" button.
Please note: You do NOT need to install the ProctorU Extension. Please disregard that message.
If there are any accommodations for your exam, they will be listed on this screen. Click the "Next" button to continue.
6. Face your webcam and select the "Take Photo" button.
Then, you can retake the photo or select "Next" to continue.
7. Hold your valid photo ID card up to the webcam and select the "Take Photo" button.
Then, you can retake the photo or select "Next" to continue.
8. Lastly, click the "Begin Exam" button.
NOTE: Your webcam view and your screen will be recorded throughout the duration of your exam.
Please watch the Record+ Test-Taker Experience video for more information on the exam launch process.
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Review+
Before Exam Day
Please follow the steps below to prepare for your ProctorU Review+ exam before exam day:
1. Sign Up: Create a test-taker ProctorU account here.
2. Download the Guardian Browser: Make sure you download the Guardian browser.
3. Scheduling: If you will have a live human-proctored launch, you’ll need to schedule your exam. If your launch will be automated, you do not need to schedule an appointment and may take your exam at any time through your learning management system (such as Canvas, Blackboard, Moodle, etc.) or your test delivery platform.
4. Check Your Equipment: Test your equipment to make sure your system is compatible with ProctorU. Click here to see a full list of requirements.
5. Find an acceptable space to take your exam: The environment needs to be quiet, well-lit, and away from other people. The workspace area needs to be free of any materials not allowed on the exam. Using a hard surface for a workspace rather than a bed or couch is required.
6. Become familiar with materials allowed/needed for your exam: You can review a full list here outlining what ProctorU requires as well as a note about resources permitted by your instructor or exam facilitator.
7. Coordinate accommodations with your instructor or exam facilitator: If you require any special accommodations such as additional time, additional breaks, etc., you’ll need to follow these guidelines prior to your exam day.
For more information on preparing for a ProctorU Review+ exam, please visit the Review+ (Guardian) Instructions for Test-takers guide.
Before Logging In To Take Your Exam:
Please follow the steps below before logging in to take your exam:
1. Have a government-issued I.D. (or other forms of ID allowed by your institution or testing organization) ready and be located in a private, well-lit room with no one else around you.
2. Clear your workspace of all materials except those allowed by your instructor or testing organization. Clear your workspace of food & beverages, unpermitted resources, secondary monitors, and electronic devices (except for your cell phone). Your work area should be cleared off, and non-affixed items should be removed before connecting to your proctor. For more information on testing areas, navigate to Unpermitted Testing Locations.
3. Have your permitted resources within arm’s reach.
4. Close all third-party programs and unplug any secondary monitors.
5. Remove any non-religious head coverings, sunglasses, earbuds, headphones, large jewelry, and watches.
6. If using a laptop, make sure the charger is plugged in.
7. Take a washroom break before the exam if needed. Many testing organizations do not allow breaks during the exam.
8. Make sure to download the Guardian Browser. (After downloading the Guardian browser, please close all applications and restart your computer).
For more information on getting started with ProctorU, please visit the How to get started with your Testing Session (Guardian) guide.
What Happens During the Exam Launch Process?
This process will likely take between 10 to 15 minutes unless you experience technical difficulties (be sure to test your equipment before test day to minimize the chance you’ll have technical issues), in which case we can assist you with fixing your equipment. This time is not subtracted from the time you’re allowed in your exam.
Review the process step-by-step process documented below to help familiarize yourself with a live proctored launch:
1. Click on the "Guardian Browser" icon to open the Guardian browser.
2. In the URL address bar at the top of the page, type in "https://www.proctoru.com/", and then click Enter on your keyboard.
3. Click on the "User Login" link in the upper right-hand corner, and sign into your ProctorU account 2-3 minutes before your scheduled appointment.
4. Click the "Start Session" button when the countdown timer reaches 0:00:00.
5. You will be prompted to download the Proctor Chat Application, which allows you to chat with your proctor. Click the "Download the Proctor Chat Application" button.
6. After downloading the file, you'll find it in your downloads folder or in your default download location. Double-click on the file. If prompted, click "Open" or "Allow" to give the file permission to run.
When the chatbox says "Waiting," it means you successfully downloaded the applet, and your proctor will be with you shortly. It may take a couple of minutes for your proctor to connect. Do not close or re-download the applet file.
7. While you wait for your proctor to connect, click the "Next" button to continue through the exam Pre-Checks on your screen.
8. You’ll be required to accept exam guidelines and terms of service. Click the "Next" button.
9. The browser will prompt you to select your preferred devices and share your screen, a required part of being proctored online. (A) Select your preferred devices and then (B) click the "Begin Recording and Continue" button.
10. Then, you will be asked to agree to your exam rules. Click "Next" to continue.
11. Face your webcam and select the "Take Photo" button.
Then, you can retake the photo or select "Next" to continue.
12. Hold your valid photo ID card up to the webcam and select the "Take Photo" button.
Then, you can retake the photo or select "Next" to continue.
By now, you should be connected to a proctor. If not, please continue to wait.
13. Your proctor will greet you via chat and then call your computer to communicate audibly. Your proctor will then review and confirm your identity documentation, audibly review and confirm your exam's rules, and confirm any pre-approved accomodations.
14. Next, your proctor will ask you to show the 4 walls of your room as well as your desk space via your webcam. You may or may not be asked to show your computer monitor using a mirror or cellphone camera. Lastly, your proctor will make sure your cell phone is out of reach. The proctor will also ask to see any permitted materials outlined by your specific exam rules.
15. Your proctor will take remote control of your mouse and keyboard via the Proctored Chat application in order to make sure no unpermitted programs are running. You will be able to see everything that your proctor is doing during this step, and it is impossible for them to access any files without your knowledge.
16. Your proctor will help you navigate to your exam so that they can unlock your exam with the password we’ve been provided by your instructor.
17. Your proctor will release control of your computer, and you’ll begin your exam when you’re ready.
NOTE: Your webcam view and your screen will be recorded throughout the duration of your exam.
For more information on the exam launch process, please visit the Exam Day (What to expect) (Guardian) Review+ (Live Human Proctored) Launch guide.
Steps to take when you’ve completed your exam:
- Alert the proctor when finished BEFORE submitting: Prior to submitting your exam, let your proctor know through the chat box that you’re finished. They will oversee the submission process. You may also be required to clear a whiteboard or tear up any scratch paper used during the exam.
- Review results: If your exam results are made available immediately, you may review them for as long as you’d like.
- Log out of your exam site and browser: After reviewing your results, your proctor must observe you log out of the exam website and close out of all browser tabs.
- Close out of ProctorU chat box: This will end your session with ProctorU. Once the chat box closes, you’ll be invited to complete a customer satisfaction survey.
- Done: You’re done! Enjoy your day!
For more information on what to expect on exam day, please visit the Exam Day (What to expect) (Guardian) guide.
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Operating Systems and Testing Centers
At this time, ProctorU only supports Mac and P.C. computers with the following operating systems:
P.C.:
- Minimum O.S.: Windows 10 (10 S mode is not supported)
- Recommended O.S.: Windows 10 (10 S mode is not supported)
Mac:
- Minimum O.S.: MacOS 10.13 or higher
- Recommended O.S.: MacOS 10.15
If you are running macOS Catalina - version 10.15 or later - or any version of Big Sur, you must grant Google Chrome or Firefox access to the new screen recording permission in order to share your screen for a proctored session with ProctorU. Visit the macOS X Catalina And Big Sur Users - Important Notice guide for more information on this process.
At this time, ProctorU does not support the following: Chromebooks, mobile devices, tablets/iPads, Linux operating systems, Windows 10 in S mode or Surface RT, inactive versions of Windows, connecting from within a virtual machine (you will be asked to reconnect using your host operating system to take your exam), Apple Boot Camp, and Remote Access Software.
Students can request a webcam or a laptop for their online courses; please submit the form Student Technology Check-Out Request. Once the request has been approved, an email with pick-up information will be sent to their FSW Bucs email.
You may also take your exam in one of the FSW Testing Centers. Visit the FSW Online Proctoring Information website to find more information on the FSW testing centers.
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ProctorU Support Options
- For more in depth-information about ProctorU Support options and guides, please visit their Support Center ProctorU Support Center.
- If you need immediate assistance, please access your ProctorU Account and use their Live Chat feature OR Call 1-855-772-8678.
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