Proctorio - General Information


Overview 

Proctorio is web-based proctoring software that allows students to take exams from any location, while still maintaining testing-center-like conditions.

Proctorio is intended for non-BYU-Online courses. BYU-Online courses are set to use Examity. Because each of these tools is configured in a different sub-account of Canvas, each is only functional with courses for which it is licensed. If a professor of a BYU-Online course would like to use Proctorio, they will need to contact BYU-O Teach and IT Support at byu.online.exam@byu.edu since their IT Support manually configures courses on behalf of instructors. They could also visit https://byu.instructure.com/courses/1787/modules for general proctor setup questions.

During the exam, a live proctor is not watching students take their exam. Proctorio accesses their computer’s webcam, microphone, and screen to record their exam attempt. Proctorio uses algorithms to monitor multiple aspects of their exam, it monitors the following: 

After they have completed your exam, Proctorio generates a report of flagged moments in their exam and it is sent to the testing center. Because technology is not a perfect indicator of cheating, a real person reviews these incidents. Students should be courteous to those that are reviewing their exam and try to act appropriately while taking their exam, since a real person might watch the entire recording. Students should treat their Proctorio exam just like an exam they would take in the testing center. 

If any issues are found in a Proctorio exam, a report is sent to the professor to review. If the activity is deemed as any form of academic dishonesty, the Honor Code Office will be notified. The professor will decide how to handle the situation, and whether or not the student will receive a failing grade. 

 


Setup and Use

Note: Proctorio only works in Google Chrome.

Additional information can be found at Proctorio - Secure Exam Proctor: BYU Canvas Info and Help Center, or users can email proctorio@byu.edu.

For Instructors

Learning Suite

  1. Install the Proctorio extension from your browser’s store. It is free to install.

  2. In the “Exam Options” section of an exam, select “Use Proctorio” at the bottom.



  3. After clicking on “Use Proctorio”, the options below should appear.



  4. The drop menus offer numerous options for how the proctoring can be run. Select the ones you want for your exam.

  5. Next to each option is a question mark that can be clicked for more information.

  6. To access the Proctorio recordings, save the exam after configuring the proctor settings, the return to the “Exam Options” section. Clicking on “Launch Proctorio” will open a page that shows all exam attempts and associated recordings. 

 

For any additional training on how to use Proctorio, reach out to the Center for Teaching & Learning (proctorio@byu.edu). BYU Tech Support (801-422-4000) can also answer basic setup, usage, and troubleshooting questions. 

 

Canvas

  1. Install the Proctorio extension from your browser’s store. It is free to install.

  2. In the Canvas “Settings” page, go to the “Apps” tab at the top.



  3. Search for Proctorio, then click on it.



  4. Select “Add App”.



  5. Enter the Consumer Code and Shared Secret ************



  6. Proctorio will now appear as a tab on the left sidebar in your Canvas course. Select it to configure exam options and access the Proctorio portal, a page that shows all exam attempts and associated recordings. 

For students

  1. Install the Proctorio browser extension from the Chrome store, and then open the exam in Learning Suite/Canvas.

  2. Before your exam begins, you will be taken through a series of pre-checks. These will establish and verify your internet connection, operating system, camera & microphone.

  3. Depending on the exam settings, you may also be  asked for permission for camera and microphone access. You must click Allow to continue.

  4. If your camera or microphone fails the pre-check please set their permissions to allow by clicking the padlock icon (upper left) or broken camera icon (upper right) of the Chrome address bar.

  5. Depending on the exam settings, you may also be required to show your ID card.

  6. Depending on the exam settings, you may be asked to share your screen. The “share” button will be disabled until you click on the screen you want to share.

Common Questions

Who do I contact for support if I have trouble setting up Proctorio? 

  1. Proctorio's Live chat can be accessed by clicking on the extension icon or by going to proctorio.com/support  and clicking the live chat button.  
     
  2. Email support at support@proctorio.com

  3. Note: BYU IT Support cannot help set up Proctorio beyond installing the extension. BYU IT Support does not have any control over the product, so Proctorio Support must be contacted. 

What are the computer requirements for taking an exam with Proctorio? 

You must complete your exam on a laptop or a desktop (PC or Mac) with a microphone and camera. Please review the following system requirements before attempting your exam for a more in-depth look: Proctorio Computer Requirements - https://proctorio.com/system-requirements 

  

What Personal Information does Proctorio Use?

  • No personal information is required. Proctorio never requires the collection of personally identifiable information (PII).    
     
  • You will be told before they record any exam data. No one is watching you and there are no programs running in the background. Proctorio is only running while you take your exam. Once you are done it turns off.  
     
  • Zero-Knowledge encryption is utilized to keep your data safe. Zero-Knowledge means we know nothing about the encrypted data on our servers. This unique design means nothing leaves your computer until after it is encrypted, and it is never un-encrypted until it is unlocked by an authorized school official. It's not just end-to-end encryption, it's a zero-knowledge system.  

  • This means only your instructor or approved individuals at your institution have access to your exam recordings & data.   

Note: Because Proctorio runs as a Google Chrome extension, you can uninstall and install it whenever  you want. It is also important to remember that all exam settings are determined by your instructor and/or BYU, not Proctorio.      

 

What happens if my exam is flagged by Proctorio? Do I get reported to the Honor Code Office? 

Flagged exams are not immediately sent to the Honor Code office or your professor. Instead, a live person will review all flagged exam attempts. If they believe something is suspicious, they will inform a testing supervisor. If the supervisor agrees, your professor will be notified. Professors make all decisions regarding academic integrity. 

 

Is someone watching me while I take my exam? 

No. Proctorio exams are not monitored in real-time. Instead, Proctorio records your exam attempt and flags it for later review. 

  

What is a room scan? 

You may be randomly asked to perform a room scan during your exam. If this happens, lift your webcam or laptop and slowly turn it around to give a 360-degree view of your exam environment. Do not move the camera too fast or it won't provide a clear video and you may be asked to perform the scan again. It is important to show each corner of the room and your desktop area. 

Once you are finished, return your webcam or laptop as close to its original position as best you can. 

If you're using a desktop computer with a built-in webcam (e.g. iMac), it might be difficult to lift and rotate the entire computer. You can either rotate a mirror in front of the webcam or ask your instructor for further instruction. 

Failure to perform the room scan properly may result in a flag on your exam. 

  

Will Proctorio flag me if I leave to go to the bathroom? 

Yes. If you leave the view of the camera, your exam will be flagged. Please try to use the restroom before starting the exam. 

  

What should I do with my scratch paper? 

Before starting your exam, please show both sides (front and back) of your scratch paper to the webcam. Please do not use notebooks. Once your exam is finished, discard your scratch paper. 

  

Can I talk out loud while taking my exam? 

Feel free to think out loud while working through your exam. Please be aware, however, that Proctorio does record audio. 

  

Do I have to use my BYU photo ID? 

No. You can use any official photo ID; this could be a driver’s license or passport. 

  

Can I eat during my Proctorio exam? 

Yes, you may eat food if necessary. 

  

Can I use my headphones during the exam? They have a built-in microphone. 

Headphones are not allowed during Proctorio exams, even if they have a microphone. Please check to see if your computer has a built-in microphone. 

  

Can I listen to music while I take my Proctorio exam? 

While you cannot use headphones, you may listen to quiet, classical music during your exam on external speakers. 

  

What if my roommate is in the room while I take my exam? 

We understand that apartments are small—sometimes you can’t find a space where you are entirely alone. Just make sure that your roommate knows you cannot talk to them. Additionally, you will need to ask your roommate to stay quiet. 

  

I don’t feel comfortable using Proctorio. What options do I have? 

If you are uncomfortable taking your exam with Proctorio, you will need to contact your instructor to see if there is an alternative option. 

  

I have approved accommodations. How do those apply to Proctorio? 

If you are concerned about taking a Proctorio exam with your accommodations, please contact your instructor. 

 

What happens if I run out of time due to technical issues?

Students that run out of time on their exam due to technical issues should contact their professor. Allowing extra time on an exam is entirely up to the professor, and BYU IT legally cannot assign extra time without the professor’s express permission.
 

Additional Information

Additional information can be found at Proctorio - Secure Exam Proctor: BYU Canvas Info and Help Center, or users can email proctorio@byu.edu.

 


Troubleshooting

Exam Page Froze/Browser Closed by Accident

 

Student repeatedly gets kicked out of exam 

My Exam is asking for an Access Code 

If you are being prompted for an access code when attempting to take a quiz or exam with Proctorio enabled, there could be a couple of reasons: 

 

3154 Error

This is a very uncommon error, but has been resolved using a Microsoft Edge Browser. Even though Proctorio should only work on Chrome, still try to open the exam while signed into a Google account on Microsoft Edge. All of the browser extensions should carry over.