Instructors can encourage students to use best practices to help them reduce the opportunity for technological mishaps while taking online exams.  

Preparing to Take a Test:

• View Blackboard using a supported browser

• Students using Internet Explorer 9 must enable Compatibility View by clicking on the Compatibility View button located to the right of the Address Bar

• Students should close all other applications and browsers before starting their test and not open any other application and browser for the duration of their exam session

• Students should check for possible firewall issues before choosing their test taking location—especially if they plan on taking an exam at their places of employment

• Students should disable pop-up blocking in their browsers

• Students should connect the computer or laptop to the internet using a wired connection.

• Students should not use a wireless internet connection: This includes taking an exam on any mobile phone or tablet (such as an iPad, iPod, Tablet and Smart Phone).

In Internet Explorer:

• Go to Tools > Pop-up Blocker

• Click on Turn Off Pop-up Blocker

In Firefox:

• Go to Tools > Options > Content

• Uncheck Block pop-up windows

• Click OK

While Taking a Test:

• Students should not open any other browser window or application for the duration of their exam session

• Students should not click outside of the test—including the navigation on the left side panel in Blackboard

• Students should not click on any browser navigation such as the Back, Forward or Home buttons

• Students should not use the scroll wheel on their mouse as this will sometimes inadvertently change answers

• Students should use the Save button throughout the test to save their answers unless questions are being delivered one at a time—in which case, they will need to press save on every question. When ready to submit, students should click the Submit button just once.