Prepare For Your Test

Do you need a proctor?

A proctor is a person who watches you as you take your exams. The purpose of a proctor is to ensure exam security. Your instructor determines whether or not the exams in your class will require a proctor. Generally, your instructor will inform you at the beginning of the semester, or in the syllabus, if you need to have your exams proctored. If your exam asks for a password before you can access it, you need a proctor to administer that exam.

• If you are in Utah, you can have your exams proctored at USU campus testing centers.
• If you live outside of Utah, or more than 20 miles from a USU campus, you will need to find a USU Certified Proctor near you.

Before taking your exam

• Review the Student Testing Policies.
• Know the correct date and times for your test. You can find out when your test will be administered by your instructor or course syllabus.
• Make an appointment to take your exam. Schedule it before the end date and time; avoid waiting until the last day.
• Plan plenty of time to take your test. Be aware of the Testing Center/Proctor hours. You will not be allowed to stay and finish your test after closing.
• Bring you Student ID with you. The staff will ask to see your ID to verify who you are before the exam is given.
• Electronic devices (e.g. cell phones, media players, watches, headphones etc.) are not allowed. Before entering the testing room, you must turn off your cell phone. Any use of a cell phone is strictly prohibited.
• Restroom breaks are not allowed. 
• Children are not allowed in the testing center and are not allowed to be unattended in USU facilities while the parent is testing.

Checking-in with the Testing Center or Proctor

1. Check-in at the front desk
2. Present your photo ID (student ID, drivers license, military ID or passport are all accepted.)
3. Have everything out that you will use to take your exam. All other materials must be put away. 

Testing Center Rules

The following rules apply to all exams taken in USU Testing Centers

1. Stow all backpacks, purses, books and other materials under your desk. These should not be viewable while you are taking an exam.
2. Only items directly associated with the test are allowed on the student's desk or lap. All items are to be removed from the desk, including wallets, purses, cell phones, gloves, sunglasses, and bookmarks. 
3. During the exam, you are not allowed to get help with test questions by speaking with other people, texting or emailing.
4. Copying from someone else's exam is strictly prohibited
5. If you need additional scratch paper, you must get it from one of the proctors. No outside scratch paper is allowed. All scratch paper must be returned to the proctor upon check-out unless otherwise specified by the instructor. 
6. All electronic devices (e.g. cell phones, iPods, watches, etc.) must be shut off and stowed away during the exam.
7. You may not use any removable media (e.g. flash drive, portable hard drive etc.) while taking the exam unless specified by the instructor as part of the exam.
8. Once the proctor has opened the exam, do not leave it until you have completed and submitted the exam.
9. Once the exam has started you are not allowed to go to the restroom.
10. No food or drinks are allowed in the testing room except for a waterbottle with a secure lid. 
11. Clothing, including shoes, must be worn during the duration of the tester's visit to the testing center. 

Reporting Violations

Consistent with the expectations of the Student Code of Conduct, individuals caught engaging in any of the above-described behaviors will be reported to Student Services as an Academic Integrity Violation and to their instructor for appropriate disciplinary action.

Per the USU student code: SECTION VI-3. Discipline Regarding Academic Integrity Violations an instructor has full autonomy to evaluate a student’s academic performance in a course. If a student commits an academic violation the instructor may sanction the student. Application of this sanction must follow Section VI-4 procedural policy. Such sanctions may include:

• Requiring the student to rewrite a paper/assignment or to retake a test/examination.
• Adjusting the student’s grade - for either an assignment/test or the course.
• Giving the student a failing grade for the course.

Additional disciplinary action beyond instructor sanction shall be determined by the Judicial Officer and the University.

Students or staff can report concerns about websites or services that enable, or appears to enable, academic dishonesty to testingcenter@usu.edu.