Templated Proctoring Policy

This page contains a templated remote proctoring policy that can be copied and tailored to suit your needs.

The template below contains all the information needed to help inform exam administrators and test takers about remote proctoring, what it is, how it works, and what to expect.

Swap your information (institution or organization name & abbreviation, etc.) out with the italicized text.

Remote proctoring policy

Integrity speaks to the reputation of Full Institution or OrganizationName (Institution or Organization Abbreviation). Ensuring integrity online is as important as ensuring  integrity in a campus or on-premise environment. Protecting integrity is in the best interests of Institution or Organization Abbreviation and its test takers and exam administrators.

In addition to existing policies regarding integrity, test takers enrolled in an online or blended learning course will follow additional policies and procedures that specifically apply to online or blended learning courses, such as remote proctoring.

General remote proctoring information

What is remote proctoring?

Remote proctoring, sometimes called online proctoring, uses software and/or live proctors to monitor online exam sessions.

What remote proctoring service is used by Institution Abbreviation? 

Institution or Organization Abbreviation uses Honorlock to proctor exams online. Honorlock provides remote proctoring services that use a combination of AI software and live proctors to support test takers during exams and protect exam integrity.

This blend of AI remote proctoring software and live proctors aims to protect exam integrity and support test takers through successful completion of their exams while reducing test anxiety.

How does Honorlock work?

Honorlock is a browser extension that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor each online exam session. If the AI detects potential issues, it alerts a live proctor to review the situation and intervene if needed.

Remote proctoring information for instructors and exam adminstrators

The test taker is responsible for ensuring that they have the necessary system requirements (computer hardware, software, and Internet connectivity) necessary for the completion of the online exam. Additionally, test takers must check the online course within the Learning Management System (LMS) to determine if any additional software or hardware is needed. 

Instructors or exam administrators will provide test takers with the opportunity to complete online exercises, such as practice exams, to ensure that test takers meet the system requirements and have access to complete the online exam. 

Before you proctor exams online:

1. Discuss the use of Honorlock and offer practice exams. Review how to use Honorlock with your test takers. We encourage you to assign practice exams so test takers can gain familiarity with Honorlock’s Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI). Note: You can set up the practice proctored exams to mirror the same settings that will be utilized on the actual assessment (including a room scan).
2. Include Honorlock remote proctoring information in your course syllabus. Be sure test takers have access to information about Honorlock in your syllabus. Recommended verbiage can be found here. Additional information about Honorlock for test takers can be found here. 
3. Address any test taker privacy concerns. Have an open dialogue with test takers and respond to any privacy concerns they may have about remote proctoring. For more information on test taker privacy resources, visit this link. Additional information on what test takers can expect during a proctored online exam can be found here. 
4. Create awareness and understanding of room scans. Familiarize yourself and your test takers with what a room scan is and what they can expect from it.
5. Get a signed consent form for room scans. Instructors and exam administrators are encouraged to have their test takers sign a room scan consent form at the beginning of the course. Before test takers can log into the exam and take the online exam while using Honorlock’s remote proctoring services, they must acknowledge and accept Honorlock’s Test Taker Privacy Notice and Honorlock’s Test Taker Terms of Uses, which both contain notice and consent that the test taker's surrounding workspace may be recorded by video and audio.
6. Explain what to expect during a remotely proctored exam. It’s important for test takers to understand what they can expect during a proctored exam. Here’s what you can discuss: 
   • The different proctoring tools for online exams and the various settings that can be used and how they work. 
   • Use similar settings for every proctored exam so test takers know what to expect and are familiar with functionality. 
   • Set up your practice exams to mimic the same settings throughout the semester/quarter. 
   • An example of Standard Exam Guidelines language can be found here.
   • What are in-exam flags, their purpose, and what behaviors may trigger them? Share this article about in-exam flags with test takers. Provide clear, unambiguous test rules and instructions for all of your exams. Here’s an article with real examples of effective test rules and instructions and exam administrators for online exams and tips to remove any confusion.
7. Create a culture of integrity. Exam integrity goes beyond proctoring exams online. Creating a culture of integrity in your classroom can support positive decision-making during exams. Read this article for some helpful tips on improving exam integrity within your classroom or program. 

Remote proctoring statement for instructors or exam administrators to share with test takers

The remote proctoring statement below can be provided to test takers in the course syllabus, in the course LMS, on the institution or organization’s website, and in an email:

Institution or Organization name instructors and exam administrators are given the discretion to require proctored exams, providing three options for test takers to test: on campus via the Institution or Organization name testing center, at a designated testing center, or through online proctoring. Institution or Organization name provides one option for remotely proctored exams through Honorlock. Online proctoring includes video monitoring and requires a room scan as part of the test session, which may be used in cases of academic misconduct. The room scan provides an opportunity for test takers to display their testing space, free of any unauthorized materials or persons, to ensure the integrity of the test session. The entire testing session will be recorded. A Google Chrome extension plug-in must be installed to use this proctoring service.  

Test taker nonadherence to the school’s online testing policies and procedures may include consequences including but not limited to: insert potential consequences, such as: email warnings with corrective actions or a grade penalty (e.g., 10% reduction) on the exam.

Addressing potential exam dishonesty

It’s up to the instructor or exam administrator to determine whether dishonesty has occurred during the proctored exam. Honorlock is a tool to assist you in making this determination. If exam dishonesty is suspected, please proceed according to the following information: [link to any pages with information for faculty or exam administrators on exam dishonesty]

If a test taker does not consent to be proctored online by Honorlock, instructors or exam administrators will provide alternative testing venues, such as: 

Campus Testing Center: Instructors or exam administrators must provide test takers with the advance written notice of date(s) and include links to institution-specific academic support services and how to access these services (e.g., location of testing center and/or proctored test sites, hours of operation, phone numbers, and email addresses for key personnel). 

Off-campus Testing Center: For remote test takers who cannot test at a campus or on-premise testing center, instructors or exam administrators may offer proctored exams at an approved off-campus testing center. Test takers are responsible for identifying a testing center in their location and for providing the necessary information to the exam administrator so materials and instructions can be submitted to that site. Test takers may access the National College Testing Association for help identifying a testing center in their area. The instructor or exam administrator will provide the necessary test materials and instructions to the approved test location along with instructions for returning the materials.

Supporting test takers’ accommodations

When using Honorlock’s remote proctoring software, you can specify any accommodations certain test takers may require. Notes in the Accommodations section are only visible to Honorlock proctors and support staff. Test takers cannot see the accommodations set for them.

Please note that only accommodations that relate to remote proctoring or authentication (Test Taker Photo, ID Verification, Room Scan) should be listed here. Accommodations concerning exam availability, time extensions, number of attempts, and extended due dates are all managed within the LMS Name exam settings.

Please review Honorlock’s Accommodations page for more details.

Instructor and exam administrator support

Honorlock provides 24/7/365 support for instructors and exam administrators:

• +1 (844) 243-2500 (faculty or exam administrators only)
• support@honorlock.com
• Live chat is available on Honorlock’s support page

Remote proctoring information for test takers

What to know about Honorlock’s remote proctoring process:

• Installing the Honorlock Google Chrome extension. Test takers don’t need to download software to use Honorlock. Instead, test takers only need to add the Honorlock Google Chrome extension plug-in, which can be removed after the exam. Get the Honorlock Chrome Extension here.

Checking the test environment

Remote proctoring requires a room scan, which means test takers use the webcam to show that their testing space is free of any unauthorized materials or persons. 

While the entire testing session will be recorded, only the Honorlock proctor, instructor, or exam administrator will have access to the recording. Furthermore, no one else will have access to the recording.

Exam scheduling isn’t required

Test takers can take proctored online exams 24/7/365 (within the allowed dates/times provided by the instructor or exam administrator) without scheduling an appointment with Honorlock in advance.

What software and hardware do test takers need to use Honorlock?

To take an online proctored exam with Honorlock, test takers need a functioning webcam and microphone and the Honorlock Chrome extension. Test takers do not need to download any software to use Honorlock.

System requirements:

• Operating System: Windows 10, macOS 10.14+, Chrome OS
• Browser: Google Chrome (120+)
• Internet Speed: Speed: 1.5 Mbps download, 750 Kbps upload

Recommendations for test takers

Take the proctored exam in a suitable environment

Test takers should take the proctored exam in a well-lit room with a computer on a clean surface that’s clear of any notes and prohibited items like cell phones, headphones, hats, or smartwatches. 

Discuss any access limitations and accommodation needs with appropriate instructors and exam administrators before the exam

Test takers with limited access to the testing resources and environment for remote testing (e.g., access to reliable internet service, preventing test access or completion, a suitable environment for remote testing – sitting on a bed or in a car with their laptop, or difficulty preventing interruptions due to other household members and/or pets that are noisy or distracting), or who need accommodations due to absences, bathroom breaks and other emergencies and/or interruptions, should discuss with their appropriate exam administrators or instructors to explore solutions and accommodations.

Test taker responsibilities:

• Make sure that you’re able to meet the technical requirements to use Honorlock.
• If you anticipate technical issues completing any exams through Honorlock, notify Honorlock Support via Live Chat for further assistance.
• Be aware of the specific exam dates and times and allow adequate time to take the exams.
• Follow all exam instructions and guidelines.

Test taker support:

Test taker support is available on-demand through Live Chat or email at support@honorlock.com.

If you encounter issues with LMS Name during regular college hours, contact the LMS Name Support team via the Help link on the Global Navigation Menu in LMS Name.

Test taker privacy information

Institution abbreviation is committed to ensuring that all test taker information is handled securely and privacy is protected.   

Please review Honorlock’s Test Taker Privacy Statement.