Requiring a Proctored Exam

If you choose to require proctored exams, you may elect to handle individual proctoring arrangements yourself or may prefer to work with the NMSU Office of Distance Education, for proctor approval and sending out exams. When making the decision to use proctored exams, we ask you to consider the needs of the distance student and to keep the number of proctored exams to the essential one or two exams. We also recommend that the exam be available a minimum of two days to accommodate student schedules.

When you require proctored exams, you must let your students know as early as possible by informing them in the course syllabus and in Blackboard announcements and/or via email. For students who are within 75 miles of campus, you should schedule an on-campus proctored exam. If the exam is on Blackboard, the Office of Distance Education may be able to assist you by providing a proctored computer lab. Students who cannot make the trip to campus will be responsible for arranging for local proctoring in a timely fashion, at least 2 weeks prior to the first exam. (See website.) We will make every attempt to accommodate a last minute request in the case of extenuating circumstances.

To use the NMSU Office of Distance Education, please provide the following information a minimum of two weeks before the start of your class:

• Name of Class
• Number of proctored exams
• Type of exam (Paper or Blackboard)
• Dates during which the exams will be open
• Time limit for exams, if any.
• Whether calculators, notes, books, or other study aids are allowed.

If your exam is on Blackboard, please provide the password for each of the exams for the entire term.

If your exam is to be printed out rather than taken on Blackboard, send all of the exams in digital format so they can be sent in one packet to avoid confusion and/or electronic files can be sent to proctors by email.

In order to take a proctored exam students are required to complete the Proctored Testing Form for Online Course. The NMSU Office of Distance Education will review and approve (or deny) this request.

To request the NMSU Office of Distance Education proctoring services, contact distance@nmsu.edu or call (575) 646-5872.