Academic Integrity and Online Test Administration

Ensuring Academic Integrity Best Practices

No system is foolproof. See these tips for consideration.

• Research shows that educating students about academic integrity is more effective than enforcement alone, so explain to students why doing their own work is important.
• Consider including a basic honor pledge at the start of an exam: "I will neither give nor receive aid on this assessment."
• Per the faculty manual, instructors should clearly describe the procedures for tests and quizzes in the course syllabus.
• Share clear reasons why you have chosen proctoring for an exam and any ways this can benefit students.
• Advise students not to log in to Canvas from multiple tabs, multiple browsers or multiple devices (e.g., computer and mobile devices). Students should only be looking at the testing screen and not accessing content or any other tools in the course while taking a test.
• State which materials students can use during the exam.
• To help reduce student anxiety, proactively address their questions. Often students are concerned about intrusion on personal privacy, security of their data, how they can ask questions if they have technical or content-related questions during the exam, how the proctoring service will work, and accessibility.
• Add test expectations (technical and non-technical) into your syllabus.
• Inform students of the behaviors that will be flagged during a proctored exam.
• Add any camera requirements to the course syllabus.
• The Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities has created several Academic Syllabus Statements that you can add to your syllabi. They have created faculty resources and upholding academic integrity activities for inclusion in your course. For reference, ECU’s Academic Integrity Policy.

Online Text Administration Best Practices

• To help ensure student success, have students review and acknowledge an Academic Integrity statement. This can be accomplished by either including a checklist that students respond to prior to starting every exam or assigning a one-time, zero-point practice quiz at the start of the semester.
• Allow access to specific external web domains, if necessary.
• Require a webcam check, desk scan and student photo ID.
• Set correct test answers to display after the test due date.
• Create question banks with more questions than are included in your exam so that students have the possibility of receiving different questions.
• Update question banks every semester or year.
• Randomize quiz questions.
• Communicate any files that will be used during the exam.
• Ask students to log in to their exam and/or proctoring service before the exam start time to allow for troubleshooting.

Standards for Students Taking Online Proctored Exams

• Test your equipment to verify your computer meets the system technical requirements 48 to 72 hours prior to exam.
• Have valid photo identification (ECU 1Card or driver’s license) ready to show at the start of the exam and upon request.
• Make sure your computer is fully charged and near a power outlet as a backup.
• The exam room should be well lit.
• The exam should be taken sitting at a table or desk cleared of all items.
• The room should be quiet during the exam. No TVs or music.
• Do not communicate with other people during the exam.
• No headsets or ear buds can be worn during the exam.
• Do not read the entire exam aloud. Students with test accommodations through the Department of Disability Support Services will have documentation for their instructor.
• The room should be clutter-free with a clear view of the examinee.
• You should not have a cell phone or smartwatch nearby. Students with test accommodations through the Department of Disability Support Services will have documentation for their instructor.
• Your face should not be covered.
• Do not wear a hat, except for religious reasons.
• Follow all instructions provided by your instructor related to materials available during the exam.
• Your face must remain in the frame during the exam. You will not be able to get up during the exam.
• Your eyes cannot be covered with sunglasses.