USU Distance Education Proctors

Proctors are an essential component of our Distance Education System. We rely on you to serve our students by providing a safe and secure location for our students to take their exams. If you would like to become a part of the Utah State University Proctoring Network or if you have been invited by a student to proctor an exam, please make sure you read the Proctor Certification Terms describing the qualifications needed in order to be approved as a proctor. Once you have done this, complete the application to Become a Proctor.

Proctors are responsible for upholding the standards and guidelines, reading exam instructions to the student verbatim, monitoring the examinee, return materials accordingly and record & report any suspected cheating incidents and making sure that the exam is provided in the way it was intended by the instructor.

Certified/Returning Proctors

Sign in using your email address and selected password.

Proctor Certification Terms

  • Administer exams only at your school or workplace, never at your home or the student's home.
  • Verify the identity of the student with a photo ID before administering each exam.
  • Ensure that the student does not use a student-owned computer or laptop. Only facility-owned computers may be used for proctored exams.
  • Please have the student use an up-to-date web browser. Mozilla Firefox 7.0 or later is recommended wherever possible. Google Chrome 13, Internet Explorer 8, and Safari 5 or later may also be used.
  • If you proctor exams for multiple students, please turn off all of the web browser's "Autofill" options so students are not provided with the answers submitted by a previous student using the same computer.
  • Do not allow the student to use materials other than those listed in the exam instructions, including other computer programs or websites. Electronic devices such as cell phones and mp3 players should be turned off and may not be used during exams.
  • Do not allow the student to leave the testing premises during the exam.
  • Remain in the room with the student until the exam is completed and submitted. (Should this be difficult due to staffing issues, we ask that you check on the student at random intervals during the exam.)
  • NOTE: Proctor IP addresses and locations are logged and compared to physical addresses on file. Discrepancies between the proctor and student locations may be viewed as suspicious and could result in de-certification an/or academic discipline.

How do I proctor an exam?

Computer based exam

  1. The student should make an appointment with you to have her/his exam proctored in the way that you specify.
  2. When the student arrives you should:
      1. Check her/his ID
      2. Log in to the MATS web site using the email you provided to us and the password you created. (If you can’t remember your password click Forgot Password and your password will be reset.)
  3. Once you are logged into MATS, click on the student’s name Click on the course Find the correct exam and click View
      1. On the Exam Details you will see the access code as well as allowed testing materials. Please make sure the student does not view this page
      2. If there is a paper handout that goes along with the exam it will be available to download and print at the bottom of the exam details.
  4. The student will need to log in to the Learning Management System. Generally, this will be Canvas.
  5. When the student selects the exam s/he will be prompted to enter an access code. You will need to type in the access code for the student.
  6. Stay in the room with the student during the entire exam and observe the student as s/he takes the exam.
  7. If the student attempts to use any type of material not allowed by the instructor you should report the incident to USU Testing Services.

Paper based exam

  1. The student should make an appointment with you to have her/his exam proctored in the way that you specify.
  2. When the student arrives you should log in to the MATS web site using the email you provided to us and the password you created. (If you can’t remember your password click Forgot Password and your password will be reset.)
  3. Click on the student’s name Click on the course Find the correct exam and click View
      1. In the exam details you can see information and materials allowed from the instructor.
      2. At the bottom of the exam details you will be able to download the file which will need to be printed and given to the student.
  4. Stay in the room with the student during the entire exam and observe the student as s/he takes the exam.
  5. If the student attempts to use any type of material not allowed by the instructor you should report the incident to USU Testing Services.
  6. When the student has completed the exam you can scan and email the exam to testingcenter@usu.edu.

Proctored Exam Guidelines

  • It is the student's responsibility - not the proctor's - to schedule an exam and request any accommodations (e.g. language).
  • It is the Proctor's responsibility to obtain the Proctor password and have a basic understanding of how the student will take the exam.
  • A person should NOT agree to proctor an exam if they have an overly restrictive schedule.
  • Do not allow students to have any materials (backpacks, cell phones) while taking exams and do not allow students to open additional windows online while taking exams.
  • Call the USU Helpdesk for any computer/internet related problem 435-797-4357.
  • Sundays are a poor day to allow exams. Canvas is usually down for maintenance.