About Proctored Exams#
Proctored exams are timed exams that learners take while online proctoring software monitors their computer, environment, and behavior. When learners complete a proctored exam, the recording of the exam is examined to determine whether the learner complied with the online proctoring rules.
Learners must be in the verified enrollment track to take a proctored exam.
Proctored exams on edx.org use proctoring software from third-party vendors. The proctoring software product used is Software Secure RPNow.
About RPNow Proctoring#
RPNow provides an optional practice exam, which learners can use to become prepared for taking a proctored exam.
RPNow has a set of standard exam rules, which the course team can supplement with custom rules.
RPNow uses a secure browser that continuously uploads proctoring data to an RPNow server. This secure browser needs a consistent internet connection with at least 500 kbps bandwidth. If a learner’s connectivity drops below this level, or if the secure browser is closed after a learner has begun the exam, the exam will end and will be submitted to edX at the point they left off.
Review Process#
Proctoring information collected by RPNow is submitted to Software Secure for review. If the learner’s exam behavior passes review, then the learner receives their exam grade. If the exam is marked as suspicious by Software Secure, then edX learner support reviews the exam as well. If the exam is approved by edX learner support, then the learner receives their exam grade. If the result is unclear, then the learner’s exam is reviewed by the course team for a final decision.
Criteria for Passing a Proctored Exam#
Learners must satisfy the following criteria to pass a proctored exam.
Take the exam as a proctored exam.
By default, learners must take the exam as a proctored exam. To allow students to have the option to take the exam as a proctored exam or as an unproctored exam, see Allow Opting Out of Proctored Exams.
Only learners in the verified enrollment track can have the option to take the exam as a proctored exam.
Verified track learners who do not take the exam as a proctored exam are not eligible for course credit.
Download and install proctoring software.
Complete identity and exam environment checks.
Earn a passing grade on the exam.
Receive a Satisfactory result for their proctoring session review.
For more information about the way that learners experience proctored exams, see Taking Timed and Proctored Exams in the edX Help Center.
See also
Enable Proctored Exams (how-to)
Preparing Learners for Proctored Exams (concept)
Online Proctoring Rules for Learners (reference)
Manage Proctored Exams (how-to)
Allow Opting Out of Proctored Exams (how-to)
Create a Proctored Exam with RPNow (how-to)
Guide to Interpreting the Proctored Exam Results Report (reference)
Maintenance chart
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