How to get started on E-Assessment
Essentials for on-demand and Main Exam sittings
Students must ensure the following before sitting their E-Assessment exam:
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Valid identification
Students must ensure they have at least one of the following forms of identification on the day of the exam; a valid and in-date Passport/Drivers licence/government issued identification. Any other form of identification will not be accepted. All name(s) on the valid photo I.D must match exactly with the name(s) the student has registered with Chartered Accountants Ireland. When registering with ProctorU, please double check that the details provided match the I.D. If the student presents an expired Passport, Drivers Licence or government issued identification or a non-permitted identification, the student cannot sit the exam and will have to purchase a resit exam and reschedule for on-demand exams only (CAP1 DEBK and CAP1 Law). For main exam sittings, the student should contact the relevant exam executive.
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Systems check
It is strongly recommended students visit the ProctorU page prior to the exam session to test their equipment. This is accessed through the student portal; Current students » My enrolments. It is important that they confirm their equipment and selected environment will work for the exam. It is recommended the student click on the button that says “Test your Equipment" on the ProctorU homepage. The student must ensure they are using the current version of their browser and have downloaded the ProctorU Chrome extension .Once a student books an exam session with the online invigilation system ProctorU, they will be sent a confirmation email and the ProctorU Chrome extension link can also be found here. Students can book exam time slots and dates for on - demand exams only. In addition, students must ensure they have a functioning microphone (some PC's have them built-in) and a functioning camera on their laptop / desktop.
System requirements
- A compatible browser: Google Chrome (preferred) or Mozilla Firefox
| Type |
Minimum |
Recommended |
| Web camera |
640 x 480 resolution |
1280 x 720 resolution |
| PC users |
Windows Vista |
Windows 10 (10 S mode is not supported) |
| Mac users |
OS X 10.5 or higher |
OS X 10.13 High Sierra |
| Internet download speed |
.768 Mbps |
1.5 Mbps |
| Internet upload speed |
.384 Mbps |
1 Mbps |
| RAM |
1024 MB |
2 GB |
| Ports |
1935, 843, 80, 443, 61613, UDP/TCP |
1935, 843, 80, 443, 61613, UDP/TCP |
Systems/hardware not supported by E-Assessment
- Google Chromebooks
- Tablets (Nexus, iPad, Yab, Note, etc.)
- Surface Pro or Surface RT
- Linux operating system
- Windows 10 in S mode or Surface RT
- No running inside virtual machine. You will be asked to reconnect using your host operating system to take your exam
Practice Papers
Students will have access to practice exam papers before they sit their main exam. The timetable for when these papers will be available has already been sent to you and is also published on the website. The Practice Papers will allow the student to become familiar with the question formats and the assessment platform before sitting their main exams. The Practice Paper exams will not be marked or invigilated.
The on-boarding process for the exam will not affect the students examination time. ProctorU reservations remain active in the students account for 15 minutes past the scheduled time. If they have exceeded the 15 minute window, the student will not be able to sit the exam. If this is an on-demand exam, the student will have to re-schedule their exam. For main exam sittings, the student should contact the relevant exam executive. If the student fails to show for an exam session, this will be counted as an attempt.
Students must ensure their laptop/desktop speaker is un-muted at all times during the exam.
Students will be brought through the on-boarding process. This includes an acceptance of the terms and conditions. The student will be asked to take a photo of themselves through their webcam, as well as a photo of their valid and in-date Passport/Drivers Licence or government issued I.D.
If a student wishes to use the bathroom during the exam, they must speak into the screen and state they are taking a bathroom break.
Students are not permitted to open additional browsers or search the internet during the examination. All other browser windows will be locked down during the exam. If a student attempts to access additional internet browser, this will be flagged and logged. If a student persists with attempting to open an additional internet browser or is caught using non-permitted material within the examination environment, the exam may be voided. The students attempt will be marked as unsuccessful/ fail. This information will be forwarded to Chartered Accountants Ireland and will be dealt with by the relevant individuals/board/committee. If permitted, the student must reschedule the examination through their student portal and pay the re-sit fee.
Once the student has completed the exam within the allotted time frame, the student must click the complete assessment button. A further two notification boxes will appear to confirm the student wishes to complete and end their assessment. Their script will be submitted and sent for marking.
At the end of the students exam, after students see the notice ‘successfully submitted to CAI’ please click on the ‘End Session’ button to close down the session and browser. Students will need to click the 'End Session' button once it has been stated by Cirrus that their script has successfully been submitted, to close down the invigilation session.
If a student fails to complete the exam within the allotted time-frame, the exam screen will timeout and the script will automatically be submitted.
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Technical issues during exam
If a student experiences technical difficulty during an exam, the online invigilator may contact the student by phone. ProctorU, the online invigilation platform also have 24/7 technical assistance available. Students can also access technical support before logging into take their exam.
ProctorU have Live support and is readily available if students are having trouble getting connected to their exam or other issues preventing students from taking or continuing with their exam.
The online invigilator will also have the student's phone number. Students are permitted to have their mobile phone in the exam room; however, this must be placed away from their desk and kept on silent mode.
Students must ensure that their contact details are up-to date on their student portal as this contact number will be used if you experience technical difficulties.
Apply for reasonable accommodation for exams
In advance of the main exams in August and September 2020, any student requiring reasonable accommodation must apply to the Disability Officer before close of business on Friday 26 June, 2020.
Students may apply for reasonable accommodation on the basis of a disability (physical/learning) or a temporary impairment.
Students who wish to apply for reasonable accommodation must complete the reasonable accommodation application form and return it to the Disability Officer at least eight weeks before their first exam/interim assessment.
Students must provide, with their completed application form, up to date, original supporting medical evidence to support their application. No photocopies or scanned evidence will be accepted. The application must be posted, as emailed applications will not be accepted.