Proctored Remote Testing

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PROCTORED REMOTE TESTING REQUIREMENTS AND INFO

To be eligible for a proctored remote examination, you must have the following:

    1. A reliable internet connection, suitable to adequately run one video feed and one audio feed.
    2. A computer with a web browser and a web camera that allows us to view your head, face, and shoulders clearly, to be seen at all times during the examination. This same computer must have a microphone that allows the VE team to hear all sounds within the testing environment.
    3. A current installation of Zoom.
    4. A quiet room to complete the exam, free from distractions or interruptions. Only you and your proctor may be in the room during the exam. No one else is permitted to enter the room while the examination is in progress.

Our process to administer your fully remoted exam on exam day is as follows:

    1. You and your proctor select an examination location that is a private setting without distractions.  This location must have some sort of high-speed internet access available.
    2. Apply precautions relative to protection against the spread of the COVID-19 virus.  See below.
    3. The room/location must be void of any posted or visible materials that could be helpful during your examination.
    4. You must provide a computer with webcam and web browser.
    5. You must be at a table/desk with the computer you will take the examination with. Only one display/monitor can be connected during the examination.  Clear your desk/testing area of all unnecessary materials such as notebooks, papers, and general clutter.  
    6. Only you and your proctor may be in the room for the duration of the examination. Please understand that no one else can enter the room while the examination is taking place.
    7. You may not leave the room until your examination is complete.
    8. You must present a U.S. government-Issued photo ID (federal, state, tribal, or similar).  If you were sent a DocuSign package, you must present the same identification included in that package.
    9. You will be provided a web link by the Lead VE to access our examination platform. The Lead VE will provide additional information to help you access the exam.
    10. You may not wear a smartwatch or headphones, or use a smartphone, computer, tablet, or similar device during the examination. You may only use a smartphone as a second camera.
    11. If you will be using a calculator, you must clear the memory and show the VE team the keystrokes you enter to clear the memory on camera. The VE team must be satisfied this requirement has been met or the calculator may not be used. You may NOT use a calculator on your computer; it must be a separate, stand-alone calculator.
    12. You may use a scratch sheet of paper.  You must show the front and back of the sheet of paper to the examination team prior to starting your examination.
    13. During the examination, your cameras must clearly show:
         a. Your head and shoulders,
         b. Your computer monitor/laptop screen, and
         c.  Your work area, hands, keyboard, and mouse.
    14. Just before the examination starts, the Lead VE team will instruct you to remain in full view of the cameras for the duration of the examination. The examination cannot be voluntarily stopped and restarted.
    15. The Lead VE will ensure that you understand that if you are found to be looking around at another part of their room and away from your workspace, the examination will be immediately terminated and rendered void.
    16. The Lead VE will instruct you that if your internet connection video connection drops, you must remain seated until the VE team resolves the issue at hand. The same shall apply if you somehow have an issue with the examination software and the examination suddenly stops. Should your internet connection not be restored, the Lead VE will immediately establish a telephone connection with you and/or your proctor and work with you to solve the problem.
    17. You will be provided the results of the examination immediately.
    18. If you take and pass the Technician or General Examination, you will be offered the opportunity to attempt the next level of examination if you have prepared for it.

COVID-19 Virus Protection

Please remember that we are offering “remote” examinations due to the COVID-19 outbreak in an effort to reduce the possibility of examinees and Volunteer Examiners (VEs) from being exposed to the virus.

Our remote testing program indeed eliminates exposure to our volunteer examiners, and reduces the possibility of exposure to our examinees (just 1 examinee at a test session), but our examinees and proctors are each presented with possible exposure due to the need to have some proximity with each other during the examination session.

In addition to taking precautions to reduce the spread of the virus by the CDC as well as state and local health department entities, we ask that you and your proctor take the following precautions during the test session:

    1. If you are sick, either with symptoms consistent with the COVID-19 virus or otherwise, DO NOT ATTEND THE SESSION. We will reschedule.
    2. If you have been exposed to someone who is known to have the Virus, is known to have been exposed to the virus, or you SUSPECT they have been exposed to the virus, DO NOT ATTEND THE SESSION. We will reschedule.
    3. Maintain at least 6 feet of separation from each other during the test session; 10 feet or more is better.
    4. Ensure common surfaces are sanitized before the session (doorknobs, handrails, and any surfaces that you know the examinee and proctor are likely to touch).
    5. The proctor is required to look at the examinee’s identification to verify they are indeed the examinee. The identification should be placed on a sanitized flat surface by the examinee, then the proctor can examine the identification without picking it up from the surface, all the while each of you maintaining social distance precautions with no need for the proctor to handle the identification document.
    6. The proctor should avoid touching the examinee’s computer. If the computer must be touched by the proctor, it should be wiped down to sanitize it with appropriate materials.  Remember the need to maintain social distancing.
    7. The proctor should NOT share his/her telephone with the examinee at any time during the session. Any messages or direction from the VE team to the examinee during the conference telephone call should be relayed by voice through the proctor.
    8. The proctor should not touch any of the examinee’s property.
    9. Take other protective measures as deemed appropriate during the session.
    10. Be ready at test time to get through this process as quickly as possible, thus minimizing exposure time.

If at any time before or during the examination the examinee or proctor feels uncomfortable with conditions due to concerns related to COVID-19, the examination should be terminated immediately.

Thanks for taking this matter seriously and being willing to protect your health as well as the health of your proctor. 

We wish you the very best of luck on your examination.

Sincerely,

Anchorage ARC VEC