FSU Distance Learning Exams

Important Information for Instructors

What procedures should I follow to use proctored exams in my course?

1. Each semester you will need to complete a Request for Services.


2. When received, review and confirm your Memo of Understanding.


3. Ensure all students are aware that the policies and procedures for Distance Learning have been updated to meet increased security standards.


4. Include exam dates in the course syllabus, clearly state which exams must be proctored, and ensure that this information is available to students no later than the first day of the semester. If the schedule must be changed, University guidelines for syllabus revision must be followed.


5. Include student instructions for Proctored Exam Procedures, which can be found on our website, Proctored Exam Procedures for Students.
   
   Beginning Spring, 2010, all students must choose a proctor using our online designation form. If the nearest proctor is more than 100 miles away, the student should contact us as soon as possible (it is in their best interest to do so before Drop/Add is over).


6. Create exams in Blackboard at least five business days prior to each exam window. For assistance, contact the Blackboard Support Group at 644-8004. Once your exam has been created you will need to complete a test run at our center to ensure the test will load and submit properly.
   
   In an effort to heighten security and reduce costs, Assessment & Testing is moving away from paper-based exams. Instead, we are encouraging all of our instructors to use Blackboard for their exams. There are numerous benefits to using Blackboard:
   
   • Blackboard is significantly more secure than paper-based exams - there is no chance that an exam will be lost or given to the wrong examinee.
   • Blackboard can be set to randomly assign questions from a question bank and/or assign questions in a random order (students will not be able to obtain their questions or answers from classmates).
   • Instructors do not need to score exams, depending on exam settings.
   • The instructor does not need to hand-enter grades into the gradebook.
   • Rather than waiting a week, or longer, for exams to be returned, instructors receive results in "real time." Instructors can use this to make immediate adjustments to the course.
   • Because there is no waiting for exams to be returned, there is less worry about end of semester deadlines.
   • Students can get immediate feedback, depending on exam settings.
   • Instructors are in complete control of the exam window and exam length.
   • Blackboard exams incur no additional cost to FSU.
   • Blackboard is green. No gas is spent in the return of exams and no paper is consumed.
   
   If it is impossible to administer your exam on Blackboard this semester, then please contact us as soon as possible so we can discuss alternatives.


7. Send proctor instructions to the Proctored Testing Staff at least seven business days prior to each exam window. Instructions should answer at least the following:
   
   • When is the exam window?
   • What is the exam length? Please note, proctors must allow full time for the exam; for instance, if the exam length is 2 hours, the proctor must stop seating two hours before they close.
   • What materials is the student permitted to use (e.g., books, calculators, notes, scratch paper)?

What if it is impossible for me to give exams through Blackboard?

If it is impossible to administer your exam on Blackboard this semester, then please contact us as soon as possible so we can discuss alternatives.

Give special consideration to the scheduling of final exams and/or projects. Current University policy links final exam dates to course delivery days and times. This does not apply to fully online courses since there are no regularly scheduled class meetings. Academic integrity applies to all FSU students, on campus and online, at all times. See FSU's Academic Honor Code and University Policy for violations.