Remote Exam Protocol

The proliferation of cheating during online exams necessitates an alternative approach. The following protocol outlines a process for taking an exam remotely without compromising exam integrity. All students should read the following instructions carefully prior to the exam; failure to do so can result in a failing grade for the exam.

Before the Exam

Students should have the following prepared prior to the start of the exam:

  1. A computer with a webcam, Zoom, and internet connection

  2. A workspace that is in full view of the webcam.

  3. Scratch paper

  4. Writing implements

  5. Food or beverages (if desired)

The Exam Packet

Students will receive a tamper evident sealed exam packet in a 10"x13" envelope as shown in the following figure. For students taking the exam remotely, the envelope will include the student's mailing address, as well as postage and the MAE return address. Exams will be sent using certified mail, and tracking numbers will be emailed to you.

Everyone else will pick up the exam at the MAE office during the specified time.

DO NOT OPEN THE PACKET prior to the beginning of the exam. If the seal is broken prior to the beginning of the exam, the exam will not be accepted.

The exam packet will include the following items:

  1. The Exam Document

  2. One unsealed 9"x12" envelope with the Student's name in the return address area. If student is taking the exam by mail, the return address should be included.

  3. One unused tamper-evident seal

Taking the Exam

On exam day, the following steps must be completed in order.

1. Log into the Zoom classroom.

2. When instructed, and in full view of the webcam, break the seal on the exam packet and remove the contents.

3. The exam begins immediately. Take the exam.

4. After the exam, put the exam document and all scratch paper into the inner envelope:

5. Seal the exam using the tamper evident seal.

6. Show on the webcam that the envelope has been sealed.

7. Return the exam to the MAE office either in person or by mail. If by mail, student is responsible for obtaining postage. Submission should be postmarked no later than 48 hours after the exam date.

For administrators only: Preparing the exam packet

The following supplies are required for the exam packet preparation. (N = number of students.)

  • N 10"x13" packet envelopes

  • N 9"x12" submission envelopes

  • 2N tamper evident seals

  • N exam documents (printed, provided by instructor in PDF form)

  • 2N mailing labels.

To prepare the packets:

  1. Print labels for the packet envelopes. These should be placed in the "To address" location on the envelope.
    For mailed packets, include the student's address, as well as the MAE department return address and postage.

  2. Print labels for the submission envelopes. These will be identical to those for the packet envelopes, but will be affixed to the "From address" location on the envelope.

  3. Print and staple the exam document.

  4. Place the exam document, the unsealed 9x12 submission envelope, and one unused tamper-evident seal into the packet envelope.

  5. Seal the packet envelope with a tamper-evident seal.

  6. Mail the exams to students taking the exam remotely.

  7. Check out exams to students during the arranged time. If you do not know the student, check their ID before turning over the exam.

Sending the exam packets:

  1. Print out a list of students (provided by instructor) to mark off exams mailed/released.

  2. For students receiving the exam by mail: mail the exam by certified mail no later than two weeks before the scheduled exam date.

  3. Send mail tracking numbers to the instructor to be sent to the students.

  4. For students picking up the exam in person: check out exams to students during the pre-arranged time. If you do not know the student, check their ID before releasing the exam to them.

Collecting the submission packets:

  1. Gather all exams to be picked up either by the instructor or the TA.

  2. If an exam is returned late, mark "LATE" and the date/time on the submission packet envelope.