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Florida State University

Tests and Test-taking

Proctored Exam Procedures for Proctors

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1. What does a proctor do?
A proctor is a liaison between Florida State University and its students to ensure that testing is done under secure conditions.

2. What are the proctor's responsibilities?

  • Receive exam instructions, which are sent to the proctor several days before the window opens.
  • Ensure the identity of test-takers by requiring a government-issued photo ID with signature such as a valid FSU Student ID Card, State-issued driver’s license, or State-issued ID (students who do not provide a satisfactory ID must be turned away).
  • Maintain proximity with and monitor the student during the entire test-taking period to ensure the student does not use any unauthorized aides at any time during the exam.
  • Ensure all necessary technologies are available and working.
    • For new proctors, this may include creating a username and password several weeks prior to the first exam (if needed, the Center for Assessment & Testing will e-mail instructions).
    • For paper-based exams (paper/pencil), the proctor should download the exam from the secure server (using their own username/password) and print the exam before the student arrives.
  • Securely store all exam materials prior to and after the exam (the student may have access to the exam only during the time period allowed by the instructor).
  • The proctor must follow the instructor's requirements for administering the exam. These may include a time limit and inclusion or exclusion of books, calculators, notes, etc.
  • For paper-based exams, the proctor must return testing materials in an appropriate Fed Ex envelope (supplied by student), immediately after the student completes the exam (cost of postage, and a pre-addressed label, are provided by the Center for Assessment & Testing).

3. Who may be added to the List of Approved Proctors?
A student may request for a testing center to be added to the List of Approved Proctors. Only public testing centers that are able proctor exams according to our policies and FSU’s Academic Honor Policy may be added to the List of Approved Proctors. The Proctored Testing staff carefully screens each requested testing center.

4. What technology must the proctor have access to at the testing site?
Each proctor must be comfortable with technology and have the ability to use the following::

  • A valid and working e-mail address
  • Internet access for downloading PDFs (Adobe Acrobat files) from a secure website (Exams are distributed to proctors via the Internet.)
  • A printer
  • Internet access for students taking internet-based exams

5. How does the proctor receive exams and return them to FSU?

  • For exams given on Blackboard, the Center for Assessment and Testing will inform the proctors of the password and any additional exam information just prior to the exam window. 
  • For paper-based exams, the exam will be available in PDF format on a secure website. The Center for Assessment and Testing will send new proctors instructions on creating a Blackboard password. Just prior to the exam window, the Center for Assessment and Testing will send an Exam-Ready e-mail to the proctors. The proctor will log on to FSU’s Blackboard site, print the exam, and administer it to the student according to the instructions provided by the instructor. The Center for Assessment and Testing will send a pre-paid Fed Ex label to the proctor in the Exam-Ready e-mail. The proctor will print off the label, add the label, and all exam materials to a Fed Ex envelope (supplied by the student), and arrange for pickup.

Academic integrity applies to all FSU students, on campus and online, at all times. See FSU's Academic Honor Policy for violations.

Return to Proctored Exams for Distance-learning Courses