Remote Proctoring for Computer-Based Examinations
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About Remote Proctoring
The following information is for PEBC’s multiple-choice computer-based testing (CBT) examinations: the Pharmacist Evaluating Examination and Pharmacist/Pharmacy Technician Qualifying Examination – Part I (MCQ).
PEBC offers remote proctoring as an additional exam delivery modality for its multiple-choice examinations. Regardless of where they live in Canada or internationally, candidates have the option to take PEBC’s upcoming exams either on-site at a Prometric test centre or by using Prometric’s ProProctor Remote Proctoring Platform.
With Prometric’s ProProctor Remote Proctoring Platform, candidates:
- can take the exam at home, regardless of where they live around the world
- use their own computer and Internet
- are monitored by a live proctor and artificial intelligence via web camera & microphone / speakers
System Requirements & System Check
Using ProProctor requires a computer and system that are compatible with and meet Prometric’s minimum requirements. The computer must:
- be a desktop or laptop computer with a web camera and microphone / speakers, placed on a desk
- use the current version of Google Chrome
- use Windows 8.1 or higher; MacOS 10.13 or higher – exception: MacOS 13.0 through 13.2.1 (Ventura) and MacOS 15.0 (Sequoia) are not supported at this time
- be plugged directly into a power source (without a docking station)
- not be connected to an additional monitor
- touch screen monitors are not supported
- have a stable internet connection with download speed of 0.5 mbps or greater (plugged directly into the router using an ethernet cable is recommended; Wi-Fi is acceptable)
- have a computer monitor with minimum size of 14 inches (35.5 cm) and screen resolution set at 1920 x 1080 and 100% scale
Candidates must do an initial System Check as early as possible that confirms their computer meets Prometric’s minimum requirements. Click here to do the System Check today. Click here to contact Prometric with questions about the system requirements.
Other requirements to take the exam at home using remote proctoring are:
- Other occupants at home should not stream content on the internet (e.g., Netflix or YouTube) while the exam is in progress, as it can cause the exam to disconnect
- You must be able to comfortably move the webcam connected to your computer (built-in or otherwise) around your room for up to 10 minutes for a full environmental scan
- You must have a reflective mirror at your workstation to be used during the environmental scan
- French speaking proctors are available Tuesday to Friday, 8:30am to 6:30pm Eastern Time (ET). French language exams scheduled during this window will have French-speaking proctors. French language exams scheduled outside this window will have English-speaking proctors. The exam questions and post-exam survey are available in French.
Note:
Candidates are strongly encouraged to use the recommended monitor size and screen resolution to display scenarios and resources using a split screen. Using a monitor with a lower resolution will cause the case scenarios and resources to appear as pop-ups. An example of the pop-up can be seen in the interactive demo tutorials for Pharmacist Evaluating and Qualifying Examinations.
Remote Proctoring or Testing at Test Centre
Candidates need to be prepared to take one of PEBC’s multiple-choice computer-based testing (CBT) examinations using remote proctoring rather than on-site at a test centre. PEBC introduced remote proctoring to allow more scheduling flexibility for candidates. Test centre capacity may not always be sufficient, or seat cancellations may be required due to other circumstances. Remote proctoring will increase the opportunity to complete an exam in the desired timeframe. PEBC strongly encourages all candidates to prepare the requirements to take the exam using remote proctoring. Remote proctoring may be the only option to test.
If you are unable to schedule in a test centre, or your test centre appointment is cancelled for any reason, and you decide not to test using remote proctoring, your application and fee will not be moved to the next session. You will need to withdraw from your upcoming exam and reapply for a future exam. Standard PEBC Refund Policies will apply.
It is understandable that candidates may be unsure about remote proctoring as many of PEBC’s candidates have not taken an exam using remote proctoring before, though PEBC and many other high stakes examining bodies are using it successfully. You should keep a few things in mind as you consider taking your exam using remote proctoring:
Regardless of where you test,
1. You should always expect that something may go wrong
PEBC has administered many successful CBT examinations at test centres. Nevertheless, no matter how much planning and preparation occurs, candidates can experience technology issues where the internet disconnects or computers crash. Noise disruptions also occur, such as from construction outside of the test centre buildings. The same types of issues can occur at home. It is important to mentally prepare yourself for these possibilities and understand how to handle them.
At a test centre, if the testing platform crashes or you lose connection to the exam, your computer needs to be restarted. Call over the proctor to restart your computer for you.
At home using remote proctoring, you have access to technical support directly from the ProProctor Remote Proctoring Platform to troubleshoot any concerns. If you are unable to contact technical support, you can restart your computer and go through the check-in process again before resuming your exam.
When you lose connection to the exam, your exam is paused and you do not lose testing time. All your responses on the exam are saved. With remote proctoring, if you are unable to reconnect to the exam within 30 minutes, contact PEBC immediately so that it can be addressed. PEBC may not be able to respond that same day. However, not contacting PEBC immediately may mean that PEBC is unable to address your situation.
Document any issues that you experience during the exam in the Post-Exam Survey. If you want PEBC to follow up with a response or any action, you must send an email to PEBC within 7 days of the exam.
2. A certain level of internet connectivity is required
PEBC’s exams are relatively straightforward in design, primarily using text-based questions without high bandwidth. Nevertheless, exams taken both on-site at a test centre or using remote proctoring, a stable internet connection is important to minimize disruption to the exam.
To take the exam using remote proctoring, PEBC strongly recommends connecting to the internet using an ethernet cable which reduces the chances that the internet disconnects. Newer laptops may not have a place to plug in an ethernet cable, so you can purchase an ethernet adapter which allows you to connect your ethernet cable through the USB port. No other device should be connected to this adapter.
If Wi-Fi is used, you should sit as close as possible to the internet modem or router to increase the stability of their connection.
3. You have to wait before being checked-in and starting your exam
As there is a high number of candidates taking the exam at the same time, you should expect to wait in a physical or virtual line until you are admitted to the check-in process and to then take the exam. You should expect that it may take 30 minutes or more to begin the exam. Please be patient as exam personnel are following procedures as quickly as possible to start your exam.
4. The testing platform is the same
Whether you take your exam on-site at a testing centre or using remote proctoring, the same testing platform is used so there is no difference in how you interact with the exam. The testing platform is designed purposely to allow a consistent experience for candidates. If you have not done so, you can try out the interactive demo tutorials for Evaluating, Pharmacist and Pharmacy Technician Qualifying exams on PEBC’s website. Note that for remote proctoring, if you have a screen resolution lower than 1920 x 1080, resources appear as a pop-up instead of appearing side-by-side with the questions.
5. PEBC maintains strict security protocols
Security is one of PEBC’s main concerns. For this reason, regardless of where candidates test, they will undergo a thorough check to ensure that they are not trying to bring prohibited items into the testing area. When testing with remote proctoring, candidates’ testing areas and workstations are carefully scanned to ensure that nothing or no one is hiding within the area. These scans can also be repeated throughout the exam if there are concerns that the candidate is demonstrating suspicious behavior. As in the test centres, candidates are constantly monitored and recorded.
Cheating is always a concern for high stakes examining bodies. While believing that a majority of its candidates do not engage in unprofessional behaviour, PEBC undertakes a number of processes to identify cheating and takes appropriate action as defined in the Rules of Conduct.
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1. You should always expect that something may go wrong
PEBC has administered many successful CBT examinations at test centres. Nevertheless, no matter how much planning and preparation occurs, candidates can experience technology issues where the internet disconnects or computers crash. Noise disruptions also occur, such as from construction outside of the test centre buildings. The same types of issues can occur at home. It is important to mentally prepare yourself for these possibilities and understand how to handle them.
At a test centre, if the testing platform crashes or you lose connection to the exam, your computer needs to be restarted. Call over the proctor to restart your computer for you.
At home using remote proctoring, you have access to technical support directly from the ProProctor Remote Proctoring Platform to troubleshoot any concerns. If you are unable to contact technical support, you can restart your computer and go through the check-in process again before resuming your exam.
When you lose connection to the exam, your exam is paused and you do not lose testing time. All your responses on the exam are saved. With remote proctoring, if you are unable to reconnect to the exam within 30 minutes, contact PEBC immediately so that it can be addressed. PEBC may not be able to respond that same day. However, not contacting PEBC immediately may mean that PEBC is unable to address your situation.
Document any issues that you experience during the exam in the Post-Exam Survey. If you want PEBC to follow up with a response or any action, you must send an email to PEBC within 7 days of the exam.
-
2. A certain level of internet connectivity is required
PEBC’s exams are relatively straightforward in design, primarily using text-based questions without high bandwidth. Nevertheless, exams taken both on-site at a test centre or using remote proctoring, a stable internet connection is important to minimize disruption to the exam.
To take the exam using remote proctoring, PEBC strongly recommends connecting to the internet using an ethernet cable which reduces the chances that the internet disconnects. Newer laptops may not have a place to plug in an ethernet cable, so you can purchase an ethernet adapter which allows you to connect your ethernet cable through the USB port. No other device should be connected to this adapter.
If Wi-Fi is used, you should sit as close as possible to the internet modem or router to increase the stability of their connection.
-
3. You have to wait before being checked-in and starting your exam
As there is a high number of candidates taking the exam at the same time, you should expect to wait in a physical or virtual line until you are admitted to the check-in process and to then take the exam. You should expect that it may take 30 minutes or more to begin the exam. Please be patient as exam personnel are following procedures as quickly as possible to start your exam.
-
4. The testing platform is the same
Whether you take your exam on-site at a testing centre or using remote proctoring, the same testing platform is used so there is no difference in how you interact with the exam. The testing platform is designed purposely to allow a consistent experience for candidates. If you have not done so, you can try out the interactive demo tutorials for Evaluating, Pharmacist and Pharmacy Technician Qualifying exams on PEBC’s website. Note that for remote proctoring, if you have a screen resolution lower than 1920 x 1080, resources appear as a pop-up instead of appearing side-by-side with the questions.
-
5. PEBC maintains strict security protocols
Security is one of PEBC’s main concerns. For this reason, regardless of where candidates test, they will undergo a thorough check to ensure that they are not trying to bring prohibited items into the testing area. When testing with remote proctoring, candidates’ testing areas and workstations are carefully scanned to ensure that nothing or no one is hiding within the area. These scans can also be repeated throughout the exam if there are concerns that the candidate is demonstrating suspicious behavior. As in the test centres, candidates are constantly monitored and recorded.
Cheating is always a concern for high stakes examining bodies. While believing that a majority of its candidates do not engage in unprofessional behaviour, PEBC undertakes a number of processes to identify cheating and takes appropriate action as defined in the Rules of Conduct.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, exams on-site at Prometric’s test centres are conducted in a safe environment with enhanced cleaning procedures, use of personal protective equipment for candidates and staff, and enforced social distancing. See Prometric’s website for more information about their social distancing policies.
Note:
French speaking proctors are available Tuesday to Friday, 8:30am to 6:30pm Eastern Time (ET). French language exams scheduled during this window will have French-speaking proctors. French language exams scheduled outside this window will have English-speaking proctors. The exam questions and post-exam survey are available in French.
Remote Proctoring Demo Exam
Candidates registered for an upcoming PEBC multiple-choice computer-based testing (CBT) examination have the opportunity to experience a brief Remote Proctoring Demo Exam including sample exam questions for a minimal fee. It allows candidates to try their own computer set-up and internet connectivity using the ProProctor Remote Proctoring Platform in addition to the Systems Check. The Remote Proctoring Demo Exam is currently available in English only.
Although the Remote Proctoring Demo Exam is an optional activity, PEBC strongly encourages candidates to test out the ProProctor Remote Proctoring Platform in advance.
The 20 sample exam questions are taken from the Demo Tutorial for the Pharmacist Qualifying Examination – Part I (MCQ). The sample questions give candidates taking any of PEBC’s MCQ exams a sense of the experience, but not the difficulty, of answering the questions. The Remote Proctoring Demo Exam is not intended or designed to be a sample exam or represent an exact model of PEBC’s exams, in terms of difficulty or proportion of content. The Remote Proctoring Demo Exam will not be scored and you will not receive a result.
The Remote Proctoring Demo Exam, including the sample questions, allows candidates to go through the full environmental and candidate checks to experience what it is like to take their exam using remote proctoring. The length of the experience is about 45 minutes plus the check-in processes.
Candidates are strongly encouraged to do the Remote Proctoring Demo Exam exactly like the actual MCQ exams: prepare your testing environment according to the requirements, follow all steps to launch the exam, go through all security processes, answer the questions under examination conditions such as not talking or using notes, and communicate with the Readiness Agents and Proctors the same way you will during your MCQ exam. If you have any technical problems, follow the steps in Remote Proctoring Troubleshooting Tips (below) to connect with Prometric tech support. Following all exam day procedures for the Remote Proctoring Demo Exam will help prepare you for your PEBC exam.
The Remote Proctoring Demo Exam fee in 2021 is $33.60 plus tax, paid directly to Prometric. Candidates will receive an email inviting them to schedule the Remote Proctoring Demo Exam before their upcoming exam. To schedule the Remote Proctoring Demo Exam on the ProProctor website, select Remotely Proctored Exam and follow the steps.
Remote Proctoring Resources
Prometric Website
Watch the Get to know ProProctor video and find other information about Prometric’s ProProctor testing platform including:
Information about PEBC’s Examinations
ProProctor User Guide
PEBC Website
Remote Proctoring Information Video
Candidates can view a Remote Proctoring Information Video about taking PEBC’s multiple-choice computer-based testing (CBT) examinations using remote proctoring. The video supplements the following documents:
Candidate Information - Computer-based Examinations (MCQ) using Remote Proctoring Rules of Conduct - Computer-based Examinations (MCQ) using Remote Proctoring
Remote Proctoring Troubleshooting Tips
Remote Proctoring Troubleshooting Tips help candidates deal with computer, Internet connectivity and other technology issues. Review and follow the instructions before and during your exam. One tip is to download the document onto your Smartphone for easy retrieval if the computer you are using for your exam disconnects from the testing platform.
Remote Proctoring Troubleshooting Tips