Distance/Makeup Examination Proctoring Services

Palo Alto College provides proctoring services for Distance Education instructors and their students.  Examinations are administered in a secure, proctored environment. 

Distance Exam Process

Distance Education instructors should contact the Testing Center to obtain the work schedule for the semester, a copy of the test guidelines, and the current Makeup/Distance Testing Checklist.   

All exams turned in to the Testing Center must have a completed Makeup/Distance Testing Checklist attached as a coversheet.  Passwords, time limits, materials allowed, and deadlines should be included on the checklist.  Class rosters must be attached to the checklist.  If paper tests are used, please ensure there are enough copies of the exams for the entire class.

Please try to drop off exams at least a week prior to the test date.

Students should contact their instructors prior to making an appointment to confirm that the exam was sent to the Testing Center.   All appointments are made online at the Testing Center's web page.  Students can go to Student Appointment Calendar and choose "Distance" for the test option.  Scroll to the date and time desired, click REGISTER, fill in the blanks, and click REGISTER ME.  Do not click MAIN PAGE. 

Students should arrive at the Testing Center at least fifteen minutes prior to test time and present a valid picture ID.  Students arriving thirty minutes late will be required to reschedule.  Always schedule and arrive early enough to have plenty of time to complete the exam.  All testing stops five minutes prior to close of business to allow for workstation logoff and securing of exams. 

Makeup Exam Process

The process for makeup tests is the same as that for distance testing except instructors may drop off test as soon as it is determined that a makeup test is in order.  Students make appointments online at the Testing Center site.  If the test is the same day as the drop-off, the student may walk-in without making an appointment.  This rule applies only to makeup exams. 

Completion of Process

Testing Center personnel shall login all completed paper exams and place them in a secure location for pickup by the instructor.  Instructors will sign for all paper exams.

The Testing Center does not grade exams.