How it Works
6: Set Up and Take Your Exams
Set up your exams:
- Decide where you want to take your exam.
Most people take their exams at a school or library near their home. You must take your exam at the institutional address to which we send it. You cannot take an exam at a private residence. Many community colleges and universities have testing centers where you can take proctored exams. You are expected to pay any proctor-related expenses.
- Independent Study Office on Portland State University Campus
If you are local to the PSU campus, this saves you the most time. Call
48 hours ahead for an appointment. Bring your Exam Request form (see "Request your exam") to the exam instead of mailing it. If this is your choice, skip forward to instruction 4 – “Take Your Exam”. - A location other than Portland State University Campus
Carefully read and follow instructions 2, 3, and 4 below.
- Independent Study Office on Portland State University Campus
- Find a Proctor.
A Proctor is an adult who will ensure that there is no cheating during your exam. You must locate a proctor who will be acceptable to the Office of Independent Study. To protect the integrity of examinations, the Office of Independent Study reserves the right to reject any proposed examination proctor or any previously approved examination proctor. Picking a proctor who does not meet the criteria in the Acceptable Proctor list may delay your request.
Acceptable Proctor:
- High school counselor, principal; vice principal, or superintendent of a public or accredited private school.
- Director or certified librarian at a school, college, or university library or at a public library.
- Administrator or proctor of a college testing center or continuing education offices.
- Administrator or counselor of student support services in educational setting.
- Administrator of an accredited postsecondary degree-granting institution, for example, registrar, dean, chair, director or their designated official.
- Education director, personnel officer or training officer of a corporation.
- Director of educational services at a correctional institution.
- For students living outside the United States, a proctor whose position is equivalent to one of those listed above or an administrative officer of a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
Unacceptable Proctor: To avoid the appearance of impropriety, an individual who is otherwise qualified by one of the above statements may NOT serve as your proctor if he or she is
- a teacher
- an athletic coach
- a student
- related to you by blood or marriage
- your supervisor in any work you do
- your employer or co-worker
If you have difficulty finding a suitable proctor, contact the Office of Independent Study for assistance.
- Request your exam.
Your course materials will include an Exam Request form for each exam you need to take.
Submit your request at least two weeks before your intended exam date. We will notify you when we send the exam to your proctor. Call the proctor to confirm that he or she has received the exam.
Online Course: You can submit your exam request online.
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Deadline: Take all your exams before the 12 month enrollment. If you do not take your examination within six weeks, the proctor will return it to our office, and you will have to request that exam again.
Bring to the exam:
- Your photo identification
- A self-addressed stamped envelop (SASE). The proctor will include the SASE with your completed exam and your instructor will use it to return your exam results.
Special Needs Accommodations:
Accommodation at Your High School: Students who are enrolled in a high school and have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or a 504 Plan can take their exams at their high school. The proctor can implement exam accommodations according to the Plan.
Accommodation at Independent Study: Students who have IEPs or 504 Plans can take exams in the Independent Study testing room if the accommodation is an alteration of the timed length of the exam. The student must provide a copy of their IEP or 504 Plan.