Preparing for Your ProctorU Session

You’ll need to make sure that you are using the latest version of Google Chrome. Download Chrome.

Check your browser extensions to confirm that you do not have the Proctorio extension. (Proctorio was the virtual proctoring service used previously at WSU. As of Fall 2020, ProctorU is WSU’s virtual proctoring service.)

• Visit the Google Support article on how to Install and manage extensions.
• If you have the Proctorio extension on your browser, you must remove the extension in order for the ProctorU extension to work.

ProctorU requires an extension that needs to be added to Chrome. Installing it takes about 30 seconds, and you’ll only need to do it once.

• Add the ProctorU Extension to Chrome

Important: If you have the Proctorio* extension on your browser, you must remove the extension in order for the ProctorU extension to work.

*Note: Proctorio was the virtual proctoring service used previously at WSU. As of Fall 2020, ProctorU is WSU’s virtual proctoring service.

Create your ProctorU account. In your course space, accessed through Canvas, select the ProctorU link from the course navigation menu to create your account.

• When creating your account, be sure to list your WSU email as your email address.
• Important: You will need to log in to your ProctorU account in order to complete your proctored exam(s).

Notice for Chromebook users: Chromebooks can be used to complete exams housed in Canvas and proctored by ProctorU. Chromebooks are compatible with ProctorU exams located in Canvas. However, at this time Chromebooks will not pass ProctorU’s Test My Equipment check. ProctorU is currently working to provide more information due to this disconnect.

Check and test your equipment to make sure your system is compatible with ProctorU.

• Check ProctorU Equipment Requirements  
• Test your equipment. You can also select Test Your Equipment from your ProctorU tool in your course space.

Devices not supported:

• Tablets (Nexus, iPad, Tab, Note, etc.)
• Linux operating systems
• Windows 10 in S mode or Surface RT

Equipment Troubleshooting

Note: The information provided on the ProctorU website references Firefox. For WSU Exams, students MUST use Chrome

• Camera Troubleshooting
• Microphone Troubleshooting
• How to Disconnect Multiple Monitors/Displays – You are only allowed to use one monitor attached to one computer during your exam.

Notice for MacOS X Catalina and Big Sur users: If you are running MacOS Catalina, version 10.15 or later, or any version of Big Sur, you must grant Google Chrome access to Screen Recording permission in order to share your screen for a proctored session with ProctorU. MacOS X Catalina and Big Sur: How to enable screen sharing for your browser.

The environment needs to be quiet, well- lit, and away from other people. The workspace area needs to be free of any materials not allowed on the exam. It’s preferable to choose a hard surface for a workspace rather than a bed or couch. 

Need Help and Support?

1. Prior to taking your exam:
   • Make sure you’ve downloaded the ProctorU extension for Chrome (Step 2 above).
   • Test your equipment. Visit go.proctorU.com and select Test My Equipment, or select Test Your Equipment from your ProctorU home page.
   • Have your photo ID with you. You’ll be asked to show a government-issued photo ID (a valid driver’s license, state ID, passport, or WSU student ID) during the ID check. 
2. Get your testing workspace ready:
   • Be located in a private, well-lit room with no one else around you.
   • Choose a hard surface for your workspace (rather than a bed or couch).
   • Clear your workspace from all materials except those allowed by your instructor.
   • Close all third-party programs and unplug any secondary monitors.
   • Remove any non-religious head coverings (i.e., baseball cap), headphones, and smart watches.

This video walkthrough will guide you through the ProctorU startup process so you can be prepared on the day of your exam: ProctorU Demo For Test-Takers video

Actions and behaviors that will be flagged during an exam:

• Talking aloud: Unless you have an accommodation, talking or whispering aloud during the exam is not permitted.
• Being out of camera view: Your face, chin to forehead, needs to be in the camera view at all times.
• Anyone entering your testing area: You may not have anyone else in your testing location with you.
• Anyone talking to you while you’re in your testing area: Additional noises, including other people talking to you, while you’re in your exam are not allowed.
• Looking off-screen: If you aren’t allowed any materials or scratch paper, your eyes should stay on the screen at all times while testing.
• Utilizing materials that are not allowed: You’re only allowed the permitted materials allowed by your instructor.
• Taking pictures or screenshots of the exam: Taking pictures while in your exam, including screenshots, is not permitted.
• Copying and pasting any elements of the exam: In most cases, ProctorU will not allow you to copy and paste any content from your exam. Regardless of whether you can or cannot perform this function, ProctorU will capture all events of copy and paste that occur.
• Utilizing a virtual machine: Virtual machines can be detected through the pre-exam system check, and are not permitted.
• Utilizing a secondary monitor: You are only allowed to use one monitor attached to one computer during your exam.

Prior to starting your exam, you will need to log in to your ProctorU account. This should be done directly through your course space.

Follow the steps below when you are ready to start your exam. You will need to use Chrome to start your exam.

1. Log in to Canvas.
2. Navigate to your course space.
3. Enable the ProctorU Extension.
   • Confirm that you are in Chrome and have the ProctorU extension enabled.
     
   • If you have the Proctorio extension, it must be turned off or removed in order for the ProctorU extension to work.
4. Log in to ProctorU.
   • Select the ProctorU link from the course navigation menu. Make sure you are launching ProctorU from within the course space. Do not open ProctorU in a separate tab.
     
   • Note: You will NOT access the exam through the ProctorU link. The ProctorU link is used primarily to confirm that you are logged in to your ProctorU account. When accessing your ProctorU account through the link in the course navigation menu, you will be directed to the My Cart page within your ProctorU account. 
     
5. Access your exam in the course space.
   • Once logged in to your ProctorU account through the link in the course menu, navigate directly to the exam in the course space. Select the name of the exam to begin your exam with ProctorU.
     
   • When starting your exam through the course space, you should be directed to the ProctorU pre-checks.

This process will likely take between 2 to 5 minutes unless you experience technical difficulties, in which case ProctorU will assist you. This time is not subtracted from the time you’re allowed in your exam.

1. Pre-checks: This video walkthrough will guide you through the ProctorU startup process: ProctorU Pre-Check Demo For Test-Takers video
   • If you don’t already have the ProctorU extension, you will see a statement with a link to download the extension.
   • You’ll be required to accept the exam guidelines and terms of service.
   • The browser will prompt you to share your screen, a required part of being proctored virtually.
   • You’ll be automatically guided through a series of equipment checks to make sure your system meets minimum requirements.
2. Photos and Authentication: You’ll take a photo of yourself as well as your ID for identity verification purposes.
3. Exam Rule Acceptance: You will be required to review and accept the exam rules outlined by your instructor.
4. Take Your Exam: Select Begin Exam to start your exam when you’re ready. NOTE: Your webcam view and your screen will be recorded through the duration of your exam. 

• Are you in Google Chrome?
• Did you set up your ProctorU account with your WSU email address?
• Are you receiving a pop-up window asking you to create a ProctorU account when trying to access the exam?
  • You only need to create an account once.
  • If you are being asked to create a new account, select the ProctorU link from the course navigation menu to log in to your existing account.
• Are you being prompted to enter a password to access the exam?
  • If you are being asked for a password, the ProctorU extension is either not installed correctly or not enabled.
  • If you have the Proctorio extension on your browser, you must remove the extension in order for the ProctorU extension to work.
• Do you have popups blocked?
• Did you select the ProctorU link on the left menu before attempting to begin the exam?
  • Note: You will NOT access the exams through the ProctorU link.
• Is ProctorU not showing you the option to schedule your exam?
  • Hint: It’s not supposed to. There is no scheduling for exams located directly in Canvas. You can take an exam with ProctorU 24/7, during the exam availability.
  • Navigate back to your course space to start your exam.