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Best Practices for Creating Exams with In-Person Proctoring

Nikki S. avatar
Written by Nikki S.
Updated over 2 months ago

When Face-to-Face proctoring is enabled in SmarterProctoring, students choose a location from a vetted database of approved options. To ensure a smooth experience, they’ll need time and guidance to schedule with an in-person proctor. This article outlines key steps and best practices for configuring your exams and supporting students throughout the process.


Types of In-Person Proctoring Options

SmarterProctoring includes several types of in-person proctoring locations that students may access:

Collegiate Testing Centers

Students may schedule their exam at:

  • Their home campus

  • Another college testing center within the SmarterProctoring network

Professional Testing Centers

  • Students may schedule at third-party testing sites that offer flexible hours and convenient locations.

  • Typically more accessible for students not near a college campus

Proctoring Professionals

Students can schedule with approved individuals or organizations to serve as proctors. These are typically set up by your institution as custom proctors, and may include:

  • Librarians

  • Notaries

  • HR Directors

  • Professional Tutoring Centers

  • Military Personnel

  • Education Professionals

Note: In most cases, school administrators approve these proctor types at the institution level. However, some institutions may allow departments or instructors to determine which professional proctors are permitted based on course-specific needs.

Instructor as Proctor

Instructors may serve as proctors by configuring:

  • Available dates

  • Time slots

  • Local testing locations


Give Students Time to Schedule

To avoid scheduling conflicts or delays:

  • Open exam windows early—ideally, several weeks in advance.

  • Post clear instructions in your LMS about the proctoring process.

  • Encourage students to search for proctors as soon as exams open.Use an Ad Hoc Proctor if Needed

If a student cannot locate a suitable in-person proctor through the database:

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