Zoom - Proctoring an Exam

Task: This article provides information on how to proctor a closed-book exam in Zoom.

Instructions:

Zoom can be used for proctoring remote exams. All of your students will need to have access to a webcam (which could be their computer or even their phone). The below methods rely only on technologies that you and your students will likely already be using for your course. These techniques make minimal demands on student computers and bandwidth and are likely to cause less stress for students than a 3rd party proctoring tool. This article contains suggestions on some ways that you can use Canvas and Zoom to administer a closed book, Zoom exam.

You are strongly urged to consider authentic assessment methods and formats that don’t require webcam proctoring.

To Give a Pencil-and-Paper Test

1. Set up the exam as a Canvas Quiz with an access password.
2. Add a single "File Upload" question, providing the exam paper as a .pdf download.
3. Direct students to complete the exam on paper and then take photographs of the pages and upload them into Canvas. 
   • Make sure students are aware in advance they will need a phone or device to take and upload pictures to Canvas.
   • Important note:
     • If students will be directed to upload photos in Canvas as part of an exam, there should be a no-stakes practice of this procedure arranged a week prior to ensure that students figure out how to do this. While most students will understand taking photos with their smart phone, many will not know the best process to get the photos off the phone and uploaded. Students should have succeeded with the process in advance of the exam.
4. Provide an additional 10 minutes on the exam time to account for the upload process. 
5. Have all your students join a Zoom session at the time of the exam. 
6. All students must have a working webcam. Direct students to set up their webcam so that it shows a wide view of them in their work area. The setup should: 
   • Allow the student to see their screen and interact with it;
   • Help you to see that they are not using outside materials or communicating with others;
   • NOT allow their individual test paper to be readable on the video. 
   • Important note: 
     • Some students may be using an “all-in-one” desktop (like an iMac). It will be difficult to set this up so the camera sees the work area. Others will use a laptop which may make it difficult for the student to see the screen while the camera sees the workspace.
7. Tell students to use private Zoom chat to ask questions of the instructor. 
8. Once you have finished giving instructions, give the access password so students can begin the exam. 
9. The exam should be designed to the student can complete it without access to a printer, i.e. use blank paper and question numbers to show their work for each section.
   • You could inform students that should they wish to print the exam printer access should be available during test periods.
   • Important note:
     • There may be accessibility issues here - coordinating on-screen questions with answers on paper (visually disabled students may need to work entirely digitally), or equity issues allowing students to print, when most will not have access to a printer.
10. If, during the exam, you cannot adequately see a student work area, ask the student to reposition their camera.

To Give an Auto-Graded or Canvas-Based Test

1. Set up the exam as a Canvas Quiz with an access password.
2. Create your test questions using the available Canvas Quiz question types.
3. Have all your students join a Zoom session at the time of the exam. 
4. All students must have a working webcam. Direct students to set up their webcam so that it shows a good view of them in their work area. The setup should: 
   • Allow the student to see their screen and interact with it;
   • Help you to see that they are not using outside materials or communicating with others;
   • Important note: 
     • Some students may be using an “all-in-one” desktop (like an iMac). It will be difficult to set this up so the camera sees the work area. Others will use a laptop which may make it difficult for the student to see the screen while the camera sees the workspace.
5. Tell students that they will be taking a closed-book test and should close all applications and browser tabs other than the one for your course Canvas Site.
6. Tell students to use private Zoom chat to ask questions of the instructor. 
7. Once you have finished giving instructions, give the access password so students can begin the exam. 
8. If, during the exam, you cannot adequately see a student work area, ask the student to reposition their camera.

Outcome:

Users should be able to proctor a closed-book exam in Zoom. 

Need additional help?

Please fill out the Zoom Web Conferencing help form with as much detail as possible, or contact the Technology Help Desk on your local campus.