Prepare for an Exam

• Create a ProctorU Test-Taker account. Be sure to use your Illinois email address.  
• Please review the equipment requirements. Only select Mac OS and Windows versions are compatible, as well as Chromebooks that meet the requirements.
• Depending on your computer type, you will need to install one of the following:
  • For Mac or Windows computers, download and install ProctorU’s Guardian Browser onto your computer.
    • View instructions for how to download, install and uninstall Guardian browser.
    • On Mac computers, you must also adjust your privacy and security settings.
  • For Chromebooks, add the Guardian extension to your Chrome browser.
• Please test your equipment well in advance of your exam to ensure compatibility.
• If you require any DRES accommodations, including extended test-taking time, notify your instructor immediately. They must grant you an accommodation in the ProctorU system at least 24 hours prior to taking the exam but may require more advance notice.
• You must be an administrator on the computer you will use or have an administrator install Guardian browser on the computer and give it access to record audio, video and the computer desktop. A computer provided by an employer may have security settings that prevent Record+ from functioning, so if possible, we recommend not using one.

• Recommended: watch these videos: “Best Practices” and “What to Expect on Exam Day” and review the full instructions for “What to Expect on Exam Day.”

Take an Exam

• You cannot use ProctorU’s website to schedule an appointment or access the exam. With Record+, you simply navigate to the exam in Canvas.
• Take the exam alone and in a quiet place.
• You are only permitted to use 1 computer monitor during the test and may not have your mobile phone or other device with you, unless your instructor says otherwise.

• Be sure to update to or download the latest version of Guardian Browser.
• Restart your computer.
• Be sure to close all other applications and web browsers that might re-open on startup.
• Launch either Guardian browser (for Mac and Windows computers) or Chrome with the Guardian extension (for Chromebooks), and only open additional resources as permitted by your instructor.
• Do not open any other web browsers, and if using Chrome, we recommend disabling other browser extensions.
  • Recommended but not required: Open your Task Manager (for Windows) or Activity Monitor (for Macs) and close any unnecessary applications.
• Manually type in or copy and paste the URL for Canvas: canvas.illinois.edu. You must type in the URL. You cannot use Guardian to search for it, nor can you use another web browser.
• You will be prompted to follow a series of steps before beginning the exam. You will be required to share your microphone and camera, show a photo ID, close other applications and possibly more.
• Be sure that your webcam and microphone are enabled, turned on and not muted or covered. Your instructor must be able to see and hear you clearly in the recording.
• Required: If you do not show a valid photo ID and keep your camera and audio enabled for the entire exam session, you may either fail the exam or need to take a replacement.
• Your instructor will inform you in advance of any permitted resources, and at the start of the test you will see a list of those resources. Unless explicitly informed, you are not permitted to use any resources, such as calculators, scratch paper, written notes, open books, your course site, websites, computer applications, mobile devices and so on.
• The password should automatically be entered for you. If you are prompted for one, be sure you are using the Guardian browser. If you are, then seek help as directed below.

Common Issues

• Record+ requires a strong internet connection and a lot of resources on your computer. If taking the test exceeds certain thresholds of your computer’s internet speed, CPU usage or available RAM, you may be prompted for an access code (or password) before starting the test or may lose connection during the test.
• If you are prompted for an access code or password when you try to open the exam, please ensure that you are using Guardian browser (for Mac and Windows computers) or Chrome with the Guardian extension (for Chromebooks). Restart your computer and try again. Be sure to close all other applications and web browsers, such as Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge, that might re-open on startup.
• Please contact ProctorU Support for help. Be sure to tell them that that your course uses Record+ so that they know you should not need to schedule an exam and that you are not permitted to know the access code/password.
• Review the tips below.

Troubleshooting Tips

• Optional: View ProctorU’s Common Troubleshooting Solutions and FAQs.
• Check that your computer’s hardware and operating system meet the requirements.
• Uninstall and reinstall Guardian browser.
• Mac Users: Be sure to adjust the settings according to this article to give ProctorU access to your desktop/screen recording, microphone and webcam.
• Sign into ProctorU and use the Test-it-Out feature to check your computer performance. Ideally the memory usage should be below 90% to avoid encountering trouble.
  • Mac Users: If you did the Test-it-Out equipment check, Mac computers are automatically confirmed to have passed the memory test in the Computer Settings portion of the test. To verify, please do the test by going to your ProctorU account and then click the Computer Settings section to expand it. Check what your memory usage was compared to the 95% threshold. If your computer’s memory performed near or above 95%, you may have trouble accessing or taking the exam.
• Restart your computer. Close all applications other than Guardian browser.
• Recommended: check the Task manager (Windows) or the Activity Monitor (Mac) to ensure that all other applications are closed.
• If you are still prompted for the access code, uninstall Guardian. Use Chrome with the Guardian browser extension. Update Chrome and disable other browser extensions.
• Restart your computer. Close all other applications. Open only Chrome. Enable and sign into the Guardian browser extension for Chrome.
• If you still can't get to the quiz, please contact ProctorU Support or use the Live Chat feature in your ProctorU account. Be sure to tell them that that your course uses Record+ so that they know you should not need to schedule an exam and that you are not permitted to know the access code/password.
• If they are unable to help, please notify your instructor

Get Help

• Contact ProctorU Support or use the Live Chat feature in your ProctorU account. Be sure to tell them that that your course uses Record+ so that they know you should not need to schedule an exam and that you are not permitted to know the access code/password.
• Consult the ProctorU Help Center for students, and please check that your computer meets equipment requirements.

ProctorU Record+ Resources

• • • Five Steps to Success (PDF)
    • Privacy Policy
    • 4 Myth-busters
    • Student Bill of Rights
    • Compliance Statement on Security and Accessibility concerns
    • What to Expect on Exam Day