Taking an Exam with Respondus

All 4 Unit Tests requires the Respondus Lockdown Browser, with a webcam and audio. First you must download the free required browser with the provided GWC link; do NOT use any other method to get the Respondus Browswer or it won't work properly.

Once you are ready to take a Unit Test you must do all of the following things - failing to properly follow these required steps for the unit tests may result in a zero on that exam, so it is VERY important to follow all instructions. Once you start this process do NOT take any breaks, it the pre-test must be non-stop, and then go directly to the exam.

1. Close ALL other browsers and programs running on your computer. Failing to do this may result in the exam freezing in the middle of the exam, so close EVERYTHING on your computer before you launch the Lockdown Browser.

2. Clear your testing area of ALL notes, books, and electronic devices. Make sure there is NOTHING else on your desk/testing area or anywhere within reach (no books, notes, or electronic devices including a second monitor, only one monitor is allowed).

3. Have a photo ID ready, either government issued or your GWC student ID; this ID must show your picture, and your last name as the same as what shows in Canvas. If you used the 'preferred name' option to alter your first name in myGWC this is not a problem.

4. Do not begin any of this pre-test process until you have time to complete the test alone, without interruption, and without leaving your seat. Tell others who live with you that they may not interact with you - try to be alone in a room, and if someone does talk to you just tell them you can't talk because you are taking a test. You cannot leave the webcam once you begin the pre-test process, so you will need to use the restroom and take care of any other non-testing issues beforehand, if needed.

5. CLOSE EVERYTHING (you may NOT have Chrome/Firefox/Safari open) on your computer, and then click the Respondus Lockdown Browser icon (a yellow and blue lock icon) on your desktop. This is a temporary app that you must give permission to "lockdown" your computer, this is only temporary it does not make any lasting changes to your computer.

6. When you launch this, the homepage of the Lockdown Browser is the GWC Canvas sign-in page; log into Canvas as you normally do - go into this course, and then you can begin the assigned proctored exam.

7. Once you begin the exam within the Lockdown Browser it will take you through several required steps before you begin the test. Your test time is NOT being used during this pre-test check, so don't worry about how long this takes - be sure to do all of these pre-test steps correctly, or it may result in a zero on the exam.

8. First you must accept the Respondus Terms of Use, it will then walk you through the following steps:

9. Respondus will have you do a quick webcam and audio check - these must both be working. If either the audio or visual are not working properly you must stop the pre-test process and get it fixed before starting the exam.

10. Respondus will then ask you to take a still picture of yourself looking at the webcam. Move close enough so that your face mostly fills the screen, look directly at your webcam (not at your image on the screen) and click to take a still photo of yourself.

11. Then you must hold up a Photo ID, and click to take a picture of it. This must be either an official government issued ID (like a driver's license) or your GWC student ID. Hold your ID up very close to your webcam, so that it fills the screen, and hold it very still so that the image is clear and readable.

12. Next you will do a Testing Environment Check - pick up your webcam (or device with the webcam in it) and SLOWLY move it around your testing environment. The MUST include the entire desktop, your lap, your chair, the floor around you, and slowly pan 360 degrees around the entire room. All of this must be done slowly and thoroughly, to adequately show that there are no notes/books/electronic devices within reach, and that you are alone in the room.

Be VERY sure that your Environment Check video is slow and thorough. The MOST important thing to focus on is your desk/table top, and everything that is within reach - clearly show that you have no notes, books, or electronic devices anywhere nearby. Failing to do this correctly (too quick, too blurry/dizzy) or not showing ALL required areas of the room and the testing environment (desk, lap, floor, around the 360 of the entire room) is the main reason that students receive a penalty for failing to do the Respondus Proctoring correctly. Remember, your testing time is NOT running yet, so take your time and do this correctly - a good Environment Check video is 30 to 60 seconds long.

13. Next you will be taken to a screen, reminding you of the testing parameters of this exam, and inviting you to begin the test. At any time BEFORE this you may completely stop the pre-testing process and come back to start is all again later; however, do NOT leave the webcam at any time during the pre-test process if you are going to take the exam.

14. Once you press "Begin Exam" your exam time will begin. By clicking "Begin Exam" you are starting the official testing session and you must complete and submit your exam. Be sure to not leave the webcam view, talk out loud, or engage in other behaviors that will flag your testing video as suspicious.

15. Stay focused on your computer screen. Repeatedly looking back and forth at another location during the test may result in a penalty, up to a zero on the exam.

16. Before every Unit Test there is a short extra credit practice quiz, to test your system with Respondus. It is STRONGLY recommended that you take advantage of this, to test your system before the exam.

- From within Respondus there is LIVE CHAT help, which is often the best option if you experience any problems.

- If you experience issues with your practice quiz you can go to RESPONDUS SUPPORT Links to an external site. and use the 'Search' bar at the top of the page to find the solution to the issue you experienced.

- If during the exam you have a rare case of the screen/computer freezing for more than 2 minutes, reboot your computer, then log back in with the same process. Do a hard shut-down if needed, the exam is still open and the timer is still running, and it will let you back in.

Good luck!