Faculty Specific Questions
How do I set up an exam to use SmarterProctoring?
Once you have created an exam in your LMS (Canvas, Blackboard, etc) or Exam Delivery Platform (McGraw Hill, Pearson, etc) you will navigate to the SmarterProctoring dashboard and click New Exam. If you are using Canvas, we strongly recommend connecting your exams directly (you will see a list of your current exams to choose from), otherwise you will select Manually Create Exam and follow the setup guide for your specific exam platform.
Do changes made to an exam in Canvas automatically sync?
For Canvas Connected Exams, changes to the exam window, to student-specific dates set with "Assign To," and to the access code sync automatically within about 10 minutes. A manual sync can also be done if needed.
Extra time and extra attempts given through Canvas Moderate do not sync, so you'll need to add the same accommodation in SmarterProctoring. More details on specific accommodation settings can be found here.
Can I assign exams to specific students or groups?
Yes. Using our Custom Exam Assignment feature you can create and assign exams to specific students or groups of students and even set different availability windows. Note: If you are using Canvas and have connected your exam directly into SmarterProctoring, custom groups set in the Canvas quiz settings are automatically synced so there is no need to duplicate this work using Custom Exam Assignment.
How do I add accommodations like extra time, extra attempts or a different window?
On the exam, click View Exam, find the student in Student Overview and select Add Accommodation. From there you can change time, attempts, permitted items, notes and proctor settings. The student must have a "Needs Proctor" status first.
For Canvas Connected Exams, changes to the window made with "Assign To" sync on their own, but extra time and attempts need to be added in both Canvas and SmarterProctoring. For a more detailed explanation, see our accommodations article.
Student Specific Questions
What equipment do I need? Can I use a tablet, phone or Chromebook?
Preparing for virtual proctoring is simple. You need a laptop or desktop running Windows, macOS or ChromeOS, so Chromebooks work. Phones and tablets can't be used to take the exam, though your school may ask you to use a phone as a second camera. You'll also need:
The latest Google Chrome with cookies turned on
The SmarterProctoring Chrome extension
A webcam, microphone and speakers, either built-in or USB (headphones, earbuds and headset microphones are not allowed)
A valid photo ID
Is my computer being monitored outside the exam?
No. SmarterProctoring records your screen, camera and microphone only during your exam session. It doesn't monitor anything else you do on your computer, look at your browsing history or track your network traffic. Recordings are shared only with your school.
What happens if my internet drops or my computer crashes during the exam?
Don't panic. If you can't get back in, click the support button in SmarterProctoring (support is available 24/7) and let your instructor know right away. To lower the risk, run the Readiness Check ahead of time, keep your device plugged in, close other programs and use the most reliable connection you have.
My Mac won't share my screen. How do I fix it?
macOS Big Sur and newer
Open System Settings (called System Preferences on older versions).
Go to Privacy & Security → Screen Recording. On some versions it's called Screen & System Audio Recording.
Make sure Google Chrome is in the list and turned on. Enter your Mac password if asked.
Quit Chrome completely and reopen it.
Go back to SmarterProctoring and start onboarding again.
My camera isn't working on Windows 11. How do I fix it?
Open Start → Settings.
Select Privacy & security.
Under App permissions, click Camera.
Turn Let apps access your camera On.
Go back to SmarterProctoring. Chrome will ask for camera access during onboarding, so click Allow.
I blocked the camera or microphone in Chrome by mistake. How do I reset it?
Click the puzzle-piece icon at the top right of Chrome.
Next to the SmarterProctoring extension, click the three dots and choose View Web Permissions.
Click Reset permissions, then click Reset to confirm.
Go back to the onboarding tab and click Share Camera or Share Audio.
When Chrome asks, choose Allow while visiting the site, then click Share Camera or Share Audio again.