What technical specifications are needed to sit the exam?

Review the 'ProctorU Guardian Browser information' page for all technical specifications. All students must download and use ProctorU Guardian Browser for all invigilated exams including practice onboarding sessions. Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and/or Microsoft Edge browsers are no longer supported, therefore the only compatible browser for all invigilated exams is the ProctorU Guardian Browser. Google Chrome should only be used for Practice Papers and Mock exams on Cirrus.

How should I prepare my equipment in advance of exam day?

Students must ensure there is sufficient RAM on their laptop. RAM is the speed short-term memory it uses for running applications and opening files. To check your RAM, in the search bar type ‘About your PC’. Under ‘Device Specifications’ you will see a line named “Installed RAM” and this will tell you how much RAM you currently have. Recommended RAM usage should be below 70% usage/16 GB. If it exceeds this, students may have to delete some running applications.

Students must ensure there are no updates scheduled to be run during the exam time and should complete a full virus check in advance of the scheduled exam. To complete the virus check, students should go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > Open Windows Security. To perform an anti-malware scan, click “Virus & threat protection.” Click “Quick Scan” to scan the system for malware. Windows Security will perform a scan and give you the results.

Students should complete an internet speed check. The recommended requirements are circa 3 Mbps upload/12 Mbps download speed.

Both camera and microphone must be working in order to sit the exam. The network being used should not contain Firewalls. These may prevent the camera on the laptop/desktop from working. Check with your IT department to ensure these will not cause issues on exam day. Students should avoid using 'Guest Wi-Fi networks’, as this may cause the Firewall issue.

Students should prepare the environment in which they plan to take their exam. The area should be quiet and adequately lit, workspace must be clear of unauthorised materials. The student must check if the exam scheduled is open book or closed book before the exam begins and must ensure the location is free from interruptions.  

How can I check my equipment using “Test Your Equipment” before my exam sitting?

Students can only test their equipment once they have received their exam time slot (for CAP2 FR, FAE AFR interim assessments and main exams at all levels). Students will receive their time slot for these exams approximately one week before the exam day. Students should not try to create a ProctorU profile. Once the student clicks on the exam link, which will be visible on the student portal on the ‘My enrolments’ page, they will be automatically re-directed to their ProctorU dashboard.

Before receiving their time slot, students can check their camera and microphone are working by using the settings available on their laptop and check their internet by completing an internet speed check. 

What if I my internet speed is not fast enough?

If a student has a concern about their internet speed, the student could ask all other members of their household to remain off the internet if possible, during their exam. Students may need to investigate the possibility of sitting their exam in an alternative location where the internet speed meets the requirements. As a last resort, however not recommended as this can be unstable, students can use ‘Mobile Hotspot’ to connect. Students must ensure they are using their phone internet and it is not connected to their Wi-fi, otherwise students will still encounter issues. Students should use their personal mobile phone when attempting to hotspot and not a work phone. Work phones may be connected to VPN or other security measures which may cause issues when trying to connect. Students should also ensure they test their equipment in advance of the exam day so that any issues may be identified in advance.

Can I complete the exam on my office laptop?

Students should check with their IT department in advance of sitting their exams to establish whether there are any constraints in their training firm. Some training firms will require students to take their exam on their guest Wi-Fi and students will need to organise this in advance of their exam sitting, as this may cause a Firewall/security issue on exam day. The network being used should not contain 'Firewalls'. Firewalls may prevent the camera on the laptop from not working. Check with your IT department to ensure these will not cause issues on the day of the exam. Students must ensure that they are disconnected from VPN before starting the onboarding process.

Where is the best location to sit my exam?

Students are recommended to sit their exams at home. Students are required to sit in a private, quiet and well-lit area. There should be no other persons in the same room/area as you during the exam. Students should place a ‘do not disturb’ sign on the door to prevent interruptions. If a person enters the room, the exam may be voided due to a breach of Exams Rules. The student’s workspace must be clear of unauthorised materials.

Note: Students who wish to sit their exams overseas should check to make sure there are no internet restrictions within the chosen country. A VPN connection may be required to successfully onboard and sit their exam.

What happens if I do not have valid/correct photo ID, or if my name is different to the name I have registered with?

Watch the video 'Permitted forms of identification for exam sittings'.

What is onboarding, and do I need to have any other equipment in the room?

Watch the video 'Exam day onboarding process'

Students must take note of the following points

• Valid and in date photo ID is on their desk
• Camera and microphone remain switched on from the onboarding until the exam has been submitted
• Take a clear photo of themselves and their valid photo ID
• Do not tilt/close laptop screen at any stage during the onboarding phase or for the duration of the exam
• Have a reflective surface i.e. mirror in the room with them on each exam day in case required, if requested, to do a room scan.

What is practice onboarding? Is it important to complete?

Watch the video 'Practice onboarding process' before your practice onboarding day. Practice onboarding is a time and date session for students to experience the onboarding process in advance of main summer exams. It is an important step to identify and troubleshoot with students any issues that may arise. ProctorU technical support and exam executives will be able to resolve most issues.

Will I have access to the exam platform before I sit the interim assessments and main exams?

Students will have access to practice papers in advance of their interim assessment and main exam sitting. Students should only use Google Chrome when sitting their practice papers on the Cirrus platform. Do not use the ProctorU Guardian Browser. Timetables for when the practice papers are available can be found on the Institutes website under the relevant level. Videos and practice papers are available on the E-Assessment microsite and the 'Practice Paper' page. 

Which exams are closed book & open book?

If I am sitting a closed book exam, what can I have on my desk during my exam?

CAP1 main exams

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If I am sitting an open book exam, what can I have on my desk during my exam?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

CAP2 Financial Reporting Interim Assessment   

CAP2 main exams

FAE Advanced Financial Reporting (AFR) Interim Assessment

FAE main exams 

Can I use a second screen/laptop to view the questions and answers simultaneously? What else is not permitted?

No, students are not permitted to use additional screens, laptops or any type of additional mouse, keyboard, number keypad or anything that needs to be attached to the laptop by USB or Bluetooth. The use of Ethernet cables is not permitted.

Students are also not permitted to wear non-religious head wear, smartwatches, ear plugs, or earphones/ear buds during their exam. Students must ensure that they are not disturbed during their exam and no other person can enter the exam environment otherwise the exam will be voided. Students are also reminded that they are not permitted to read exam questions out loud. Students’ laptop speakers should be un-muted at all times during the exam. Students should be always in view of the camera and ensure the camera is switched on from the start of onboarding until the completion and submission of the exam. Further guidance is available on the 'Exam preparation' page.

What do I do on the day of the exam?

Watch the video 'Exam day onboarding process'. Please do not attempt to log on before your allocated time slot. If you miss your time slot you will have 15 minutes after this time to log into ProctorU to start your exam. If you do not log in, you will be marked as absent.

What happens if I cannot log into an exam?

If a student experiences issues on exam day, they should complete a ‘test your equipment’ check (see Q3 above) and ensure they have sufficient internet. Students are reminded it is the student’s responsibility to present on exam day with working/functional equipment, including adequate internet.

Where a student is unable to log into their exam due to the Institutes website not being available, students will be sent a link by email to their exam. This link will be sent to the email address they have listed on their student portal. It is very important that your email address and mobile number on the student portal are updated accurately.

What happens if I have technical difficulties during the exam?

If a student has technical issues during their exam, ProctorU has 24/7 technical assistance available, and they will assist the student to resolve their issues and allow the student to continue with their exam. Students should have the ProctorU Direct chat link open in case they encounter an issue on exam day. The Institute examination executive will be available by phone or email to assist with students if necessary.  Students should only have one direct chat link open, as opening multiple chats will cause a delay in resolving the issue(s).

What if my internet drops during my exam?

Watch the video 'How to reconnect to an exam'.

Can I keep my mobile phone in the room with me?

Yes, students are permitted to keep their mobile phone in the room with them while sitting their exam. The mobile phone must be kept out of reach and on silent/vibrate. The reason for being allowed to have your mobile phone in the room with you and on silent/vibrate, is in case ProctorU's technical support or the exam executive need to contact you. Please ensure the mobile number on your student profile is up to date.

Will I be contacted by the exam invigilator during my exam?

During the exam, invigilators may request a candidate to conduct a room/desk scan. In the event that a room/desk scan needs to be performed, an invigilator will contact the candidate via their screen/phone. Students must comply immediately with all instructions and requests from the invigilator (see Q29 below).

Can I bring a dictionary into the exam?

Yes, students can bring an English-to-English dictionary into the exam. Students must show and hold the dictionary to the screen/camera showing the cover and go through the pages to show there is no unpermitted items/resources inside the book.

Can I use e-books in open book exams?

No, students are not permitted to use e-books to sit any open book exams. Students are only permitted to use one laptop in their exam, and this is the laptop they will use to answer their exam on. Students should also be aware that they cannot use any notes that are on their laptop. The system will not permit a student to access these notes during an exam so they must be printed in advance.

Can I open Microsoft Word or Excel during my exam to copy and paste calculations?

No, students are not permitted to open any external Microsoft Word documents, PDF, or Excel (that are not already available to students on the exam platform) while in the exam. If a student attempts to do so, they will be reported to the relevant Exam Committee. Students can bring in blank paper to write calculations and then transcribe the calculations to the exam platform. Students will be able to copy and paste within the exam platform but will not be able to copy and paste in from any external sources e.g., Clipboard, Notepad, Excel or Word.

How can I show my workings?

For main exams, students will be able to complete their workings as part of their answer and where needed a working box will be provided. There will be no change in the way marks are awarded, therefore students should input their workings.

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How can I access the tables, schedules and appendix documents?

Students will be provided with the relevant tables, schedules and appendix documents and can be accessed in the exam where needed by clicking on the "Resource" button. Please view all of the videos on 'E-Assessment information' page for more information.

I am an FAE student, do I need to complete an executive summary?

If an FAE student decides to do an executive summary, they can do so at the start of the first question for SIM1 and the first question for SIM2. A line for each question is more than sufficient as no marks will be awarded for an executive summary. The same applies at Core, if students decide to do an executive summary, they should do so at the start of question 1. 

Can I highlight the exam questions or section text on the exam platform?

No, the highlighting functionality will not be available for any exams. Students may however take notes throughout their exam, with the exception of CAP1 Law, using the permitted number of blank sheets. It is strongly recommended that students use the practice papers provided to assist with their exam technique.

Can I print out the exam paper?

The exam platform does not facilitate the printing of any documents and therefore students will not be able to print out the exam paper or any part of the exam.

What procedures are in place to deal with a student attempting an exam breach?

The exams are invigilated and recorded. Any attempts at a suspected exam breach, including unpermitted resources or additional applications/browser windows, will be detected by the invigilator or the AI process. Additional checks will be carried out during the onboarding process which will identify whether the laptop is shared or running in a virtual machine. If a student is caught attempting to bypass any of the security measures their exam may be voided, and a report (and video) will be provided to the relevant Examination Committee and their training firm if applicable.

Students may be directly messaged and requested to do a scan of their workspace/exam environment by the exam invigilator at any stage during the exam. Students must comply with this request at once and follow all instructions given to them by the invigilator.

What happens when I take a toilet break?

Students have three minutes to take a toilet break if necessary.  Before a student leaves the room, they must inform the invigilator by speaking into the screen stating that they are leaving the room to take a toilet break. Students do not need to wait for a response for permission to leave. The students exam time will not be paused.

The students’ mobile phone must remain in the exam environment. On returning from the toilet break, the online invigilator may request the student to pan the room with their laptop to ensure no non-permitted items are in the area and to ensure that their mobile phone is still in the room and out of reach.

Are reasonable accommodations available and if so, how can I apply?

The Institute will accommodate all such reasonable accommodation cases that have been granted by the Access Support Executive, within the platform or otherwise. Students must follow the current reasonable accommodation policies and procedures. Students are advised to contact the Access Support Officer in relation to their circumstances at the earliest possible opportunity.

Will exam halls be made available by the Institute for students who prefer to sit in an exam hall?

Exams will continue to be examined on the online E-Assessment platform only.

How long will student scripts and videos of the exams be retained? Is the exam platform compliant with GDPR requirements?

Retention of exam material i.e., scripts and videos will comply with our standard General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) policy.

The systems have been externally checked to confirm GDPR compliance and the Institute has undertaken its own due diligence on this. All data retention (including video) is compliant with the Institute’s data privacy policies. A copy of the Data Privacy Policy can be viewed. You can also view the Privacy statement on our website.

Will training firms for students in contract have access to the ProctorU (invigilator) exam recordings?

Training firms may be shown the exam recording if the Institute believes there is a valid case of suspected exam breach or improper conduct by the student during the exam. However, in the normal course of events the exam recording will not be viewed by any person and only be retained for 15 days and will then be destroyed in accordance with Institute's data retention policy.