EXAMS

All courses include a final exam, and most include one or more midterm exams. All exams are monitored by a proctor to ensure exam security and integrity .

Most exams are available online using the Examity proctoring service, but a few courses require handwritten exams in a paper-based format. See the next page or your course syllabus for details .

Taking an Exam

Follow these steps to take an exam:

J Request your exam from the exam page within your course . If you are requesting a final exam, make sure you have completed all previous course requirements .

J Choose Examity as your online proctor (if available), or select a local proctor.

J If using Examity, schedule an appointment if you are unable to take your test on demand . If using a local proctor, contact them to make an appointment .

J Meet with your local proctor or log in to

Examity at your scheduled time .

After you have completed the exam, the proctor returns the exam to Independent Study for processing and grading . Make sure to complete all coursework, including exams, before the course expiration date.

Online Proctor (Examity)

When you request an exam with online proctoring, you can take the exam at home and as your schedule allows. Make sure you have a clean testing space, as the online proctor will require you to use your computer camera to show your space to ensure that no cheating can take place .

After you have requested your exam with Examity, you will receive an email with a link and instructions for creating your profile and scheduling your appointment . You must schedule your exam time at least 24 hours in advance . For more help with Examity, visit is.byu.edu/testing .

Local Proctor

A local proctor is an educator or testing center in your area who has already been certified to administer exams. We strongly encourage you to contact your local proctor and confirm with them that they are able to administer your exam before you request it. Local proctors’ availability may vary, and some may charge a fee for their service .

If you are already working with an educator who is willing to proctor but is not certified with BYU Independent Study, they can learn more about proctoring at is.byu.edu/testing .

Some courses have exams that require students to show their work or write answers on paper . These typically include math courses and certain World Languages courses but may include other types of courses. Check your course syllabus to see if your exams are only available on paper.

If you need or want paper exams, please plan for shipping time to receive the exam and mail it back to BYU Independent Study. When you request a paper exam in your course, it will be shipped to your local proctor, who will then administer the exam . If you are enrolled in a course that requires paper exams and you cannot find a local proctor location, please call us at (800) 914-8931 for assistance .

Grading

Online exams that do not include any instructor-graded sections are graded upon submission. For mailed paper exams, submission occurs on the day we receive the completed exam in our office.

Exams with instructor-graded sections are given to instructors on the day of submission. From that date, instructors are given up to 10 business days to grade your exam.

Exams taken online with Examity must also be reviewed after they have been submitted. Please allow up to 3 business days after submission for online exam grades to process .

Exam Retakes

Most courses will allow one exam retake for a $15 fee. Because not all courses offer an exam retake option, please refer to your course syllabus or course policies to make sure your course allows exam retakes. Retakes (if available) must be requested within 30 days of the original exam grade posting. Paper retakes must be taken and returned within 30 days of the retake exam request. All exam retakes must be submitted by the course expiration date .

Completion Deadlines

All assignments and coursework must be completed before you request your final exam. Please plan to take your final by at least three weeks before any deadlines you may have (e.g., the end of a semester) to ensure your final exam is graded well before your deadline. Speak to your school counselor or other academic advisor if you have questions about upcoming deadlines you may need to meet .