Study Proctoring

[TexasTink]

Quick questions on the proctored final for Study.com - do you have to take it at a desk/table?  I was hoping to take it while sitting on my bed as I don't have room for a desk/table.  I could potentially do it standing up with my laptop on my dresser?  My parents have a desk but that's obviously not convenient to them or me.  I could use the kitchen table but it's open to the entire first floor, so again, it would be hard to clear and is not super convenient unless I only take tests late at night.

Also, they say that no one is allowed to be in the room but the FAQ section says others can be present as long as they're clearly not helping.  Which is true?

Thanks!  Hoping to take my first test soon!

[Cheeseburrito]

I live in a loft with 2 other people and 3 dogs. There's always a bit of noise or someone walking past the screen or singing. It just happens even when I beg for quiet.

I have done 2 exams with no issues thus far with the above occurred.

[Ideas]

I've seen posts about people taking on a bed or sitting on a chair in a corner

[Merlin]

From what I have seen so far, it doesn't matter where you take the exams, what (or who) else is in the room, etc. as long as you can demonstrate the following:

• The immediate area around where you have chosen to take the test is clear of anything that may provide hints or notes. I see this as anything with writing on it. It doesn't have to be uncluttered, just clear of anything that could be considered helpful to a test taker (this includes computer monitors, mobile devices, tv's, radios, speakers, etc.) If those are in the room, make sure they are clearly powered off when you do the 360 scan of the room.
  
• You are only using materials that are allowed on the exam. This typically means a pen/pencil and a blank page of paper for notes, maybe a non-graphing calculator. Check the syllabus for the course to get the exact list of what is/is not allowed.
  
• If there is anyone else in the room, make sure it is clear that they are not helping you in any way. (Occasional appearances of children/dogs are known to be ignored/allowed.)
  
• If there are ambient sounds in the background, make sure they are not loud enough to interfere with the proctor's ability to listen to your environment. Try to avoid any spoken dialogue if possible, as this could be construed as being helpful to you.
  

Taking an exam on the bed sounds perfectly reasonable to me. I used to take them on my kitchen table until I was able to make room for a dedicated space in my home office for test taking. A dresser sounds cumbersome but should work if it meets the above requirements.

[TexasTink]

Thank y'all so much! That's very helpful! I didn't want to mess it up and have to re-do it or not be able to take it again.

[TexasTink]

Another question - does the Guardian Scholarship start date count as my billing date? So if it started on April 4th, I would have until May 4th to take both exams? I can't find a "must use by" date for my remaining exam and want to make sure I don't miss it. And at the start of a new cycle, can I take both exams whenever I want or do they have to be spaced the same time apart?

[allvia]

Another question - does the Guardian Scholarship start date count as my billing date?  So if it started on April 4th, I would have until May 4th to take both exams?  I can't find a "must use by" date for my remaining exam and want to make sure I don't miss it.  And at the start of a new cycle, can I take both exams whenever I want or do they have to be spaced the same time apart?

Based on your example you would have until May 3rd, as May 4th is the start of the new month.

Once you are in a new month you can take both exams right away, there is no need to wait.

[Merlin]

Another question - does the Guardian Scholarship start date count as my billing date?  So if it started on April 4th, I would have until May 4th to take both exams?  I can't find a "must use by" date for my remaining exam and want to make sure I don't miss it.  And at the start of a new cycle, can I take both exams whenever I want or do they have to be spaced the same time apart?

To see the date your Guardian Scholarship officially ends, go to your profile under the Study.com dashboard and click the Membership & Billing button in the top right-hand corner. It will tell you the plan & license you're using and the date your access ends under that plan.

Yes, you can take both exams you get each month back to back or spread them out if you so desire. You just need to take both within the month or you will lose those you don't take... they do not roll over to the next month.

Also, just to clarify, while you're under the Guardian scholarship the "start of a new cycle" means 12:01 am Pacific Time on the 1st of each new month. It isn't the anniversary of the start date. How do I know this? I have waited and taken an exam minutes after the cycle rolls over.