Proctored Exams

The online computer science program now requires all exams to be proctored regardless of the enrollment date. It is the responsibility of the student to identify a proctor based on the criteria listed below.

Click here for a complete listing of required proctored exams for each archived, self-paced computer science course.

To start the process, find a proctor in your area. Then use the online exam proctoring request form. When the form is submitted the faculty member will be notified and the Center for Regional and Continuing Education staff will be alerted to the request. In addition, a form will be sent to the identified proctor for his or her signature. Once the proctor has returned the signed proctor responsibility form, the Center for Regional and Continuing Education staff will provide a confirmation to the student.

Finding a Proctor

There are many ways to locate a proctor. Many institutions of higher education have a Testing Office and provide proctoring for a nominal fee. The Consortium of College Testing Centers (CCTC) is an organization that has testing centers across the country and abroad that provide proctoring services to distance students near their homes. Centers are located in 44 states and Canada. Also, your employer many provide proctoring services through your company's Human Resources Department. Local public schools may offer proctoring services through an employee of the school, such as a principal, counselor or librarian. If you are serving in the military, your Education Service Officer can usually arrange a proctor through your Education Center. If your duty location does not have such services, a commissioned officer whose ranking is higher than your own can serve as a proctor. If there are fees associated with the proctoring process, those fees are your responsibility as a student.

People Who Can Not Serve as a Proctor

There are people who can not serve as a proctor. For example: a relative, fiance, classmate, roommate, friend, coach, work supervisor, immediate employer, or lower-ranking officer; anyone simultaneously taking the same course, or anyone with a vested interest in the student taking the exam or the distance education program.

Proctoring Duties

Proctors must adhere to professional standards. A proctor's duties include:

• Confirm the exam or exam access information has been received at least 72 hours before the scheduled exam start time.
• Ensure the student has a quiet, distraction-free place to complete the exam and that he/she is not disturbed or distracted.
• Confirm the student understands the conditions under which the exam is administered.
• Give to the student the exam materials provided by Regional and Continuing Education (RCE) at CSU, Chico.
• If the exam is to be taken/submitted online, provide the student with access to a computer with Internet acess and ensure that the student does not have access to other web browsers during the exam. Provide a way for the student to print exams if required in the written instructions.
• Confirm the student's identity by using two forms of photo identification, such as a driver's license. (One of the IDs must be government issued.)
• Verify the student does not receive any outside assistance while taking the exam. This includes course materials other than those specified in the proctoring instructions, help from other persons, prepared notes other than specified by the course instructor, and access to other websites via simultaneous session.
• Remain in the presence of the student from the time the student starts the exam to the time he or she finishes, or until the end of the maximum time allowed for the test, whichever comes first.
• Ensure cell phones, programmable calculators, and web browsers are not used at any time during the exam. The student may not access cell phones, PDAs, or similar devices during excused breaks taken during exams.
• Return the completed exam to RCE via fax and first class mail. The exam must be faxed to the Center for Regional and Continuing Education. The fax number is 530-898-4020. Any expenses related to returning the exam are the student's responsibility.
• Maintain a secure copy of the student's exam answers for 30 days, as a backup in the event the exam is not properly received by RCE.
• If a fee is charged for exam proctoring, the proctor should request payment from the student at the time of testing.

Student Responsibilities

The student's responsibilities include:

• Notify RCE via the online exam request form at leaset 10 business days before the student expects to take the exam.
• Locate a qualified proctor, as described earlier in the proctor guidelines, before requesting an exam.
• Arrange the date, time, and location for the examination in consultation with the selected proctor.
• Confirm the administration of the exam with the proctor at least 24 hours before the exam date.

The Comprehensive Core Exam (CCE) and the Graduate Writing Exam (GWE) are offered on set dates throughout the year, students planning to take either exam must submit a proctored examination request for either exam at least 10 days prior to the on-campus examination date. Dates are posted on the Computer Science Department website. Students who submit forms late may forfeit the opportunity to take their examinations and must wait until the next exam date.