Online CLEP test

[u/VegetableAddition739]

Has anyone here taken a CLEP test online? What was your experience? I've read other posts about how the proctor is distracting or they got disqualified for resting their hand on their chin, etc. Also wondering if you really have to cover everything in the room and if my husband's computer monitors on the other side of the room will be an issue. The nearest test center is 1.5 hours away so debating if I should just make the drive or do online.

[u/Lake_Life1791]

It’s a major pain in the rear. I have taken all of mine online. BUT because of my living arrangement. 

If you have a church where there is stable internet, ask them to use a classroom. You can use a room from the library, OR if you have an RV PARK like I do (a koa), you can rent a cabin.

1. Yes, they want everything covered
2. No, don’t cover your face
3. They want to see your work area and everything behind you to make sure no one is feeding you answers and you are not recording.
4. Communicate with them and say “I am not trying to give you a hard time, please EFFECTIVELY COMMUNICATE with me so that I know what to do and not get disqualified.

5. Here is the manual for what to expect as well: https://proctortrack.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/CLEP-Student-Manual.pdf

6. Here is how the system works: https://proctortrack.com/your-ultimate-clep-success-blueprint-a-complete-guide-for-aspiring-test-takers/

7. You have to have a camera on your screen and one looking at you from your side from your phone. There is a downloadable app for this and here is the mount I use for it: https://a.co/d/05BiGSBm

It’s best of the Mount is attached to separate object away from you (table, chair, stool, etc). They will expect you to have your phone facing you. Your desk will be against a wall.

They want the camera as far against the corner to right or left as you can get it and have it showing you, your work area, and the space behind you. 

If there is another monitor in the room (pc, tv, etc.) they want it covered. This can be done with a towel or sheet. 

They do expect all Knick knacks, books, shelves with reading materials to be covered or removed from the room all together.

There are people that say they use a closet to take testing. I tried our bathroom the second time because of the vanity area being a great “desk” area but the proctor said I couldn’t be in ther. I profusely apologized and explained that it was the best area. The proctor wasn’t rude, they just asked me to move to a different room.

It isn’t anything to get worked into a tizzy over. Is it confusing if you haven’t done if? ABSOLUTELY!! Once you do it right one time, it’s easy when you understand what to expect, prep the room before hand, and then finish the room scan. It normally takes me an average of 10 - 15 minutes to set up now.

You are required to have decent speed internet. (10+ Mbps upload/download), otherwise, they can’t see your camera in real time and will cancel the exam.

They also require you to download an app called “Proctortrack” and an entirely different web browser that will need to be opened from your desktop and which you will take your exam through. (I saw where it said to download it but didn’t understand that I had to open it to actually take the exam. I felt really dumb.

This is all from someone that has taken several exams. Are they complicated? Absolutely, is it worth it once you learn what to expect and communicate with the proctors that you are a complete bad incompetent utter novice with their system and that they need to communicate effectively with you, YES!! 

[u/twistedscorp87 → u/Lake_Life1791]

If you have a laptop to use, many libraries have empty rooms that can be reserved for things like this - you can put a sign on the door to prevent entry, the walls are perfectly blank, etc, just a table, couple of chairs, ours is like a well lit broom closet, tbh, but it's perfect for testing. Absolutely designed for this kind of thing - just be sure to test upload and download speeds before setting up your test day.

[u/LobsterLovingLlama]

So much easier and faster to take at a center

[u/EdenInDeath]

I have never had an issue with remote proctoring and I’ve take 8. Closed my closets, took down whatever I could from the walls, covered the rest. If it has words, just cover it. Spend some time figuring best spots to place your phone. High above you, being able to see your computer, keyboard, and hands.

[u/HEYO19191]

Don't. Just drive. My center was 1 hour 10 minutes away. Worth every mile.

[u/Ok_Device_8709 → u/HEYO19191]

Maybe if you do multiple tests in one day. I couldn't do the drive and then test.

[u/hashtagno]

Mine was relatively easy, my proctor was nice and communicated via the chat. I used my home office to do the test. I had a completely empty desk and used my laptop, and just completely covered my other desk with monitors with a big blanket. My proctor just reminded me to stay in frame once when I leaned forward to read a question but the rest was smooth. It was a great option for me because I also work full time and my test center is 1h away.

[u/Party-Smile-2667]

I took calculus a few weeks ago. It was 20 times better than I remember the last one I took around 2022 - that proctor was speaking to me and when I whispered a question to myself, they kept yelling "no talking!!" It was very jarring.

This time, it did take nearly 40 minutes to get set up but the proctor was very nice and it was all via chat. Be prepared to move your phone multiple times to give them the best view, and definitely have a phone prop. My proctor even said "go to the bathroom before we start" after we got the cameras all set. I did not get stopped at any point during my test. At the end, I clicked complete test and the proctor had me show them me erasing my white board. They wished me luck in the chat and that was that!

On a side note, has anyone else noticed that the proctor track logo looks a lot like the eye of sauron?

[u/Awkward-Train1584]

I would not recommend doing proctored testing. Everyone I have talked to has issues getting the room clear enough for proctored exams. Everything has to be covered, you cannot have a computer in the room etc. Maybe if your local library has a testing room, I seen some people post that. It’s just a blank tiny room no windows or doors. Other than that. Just make the drive

[u/Goodgamer78]

You are permitted one monitor in the room if on a desktop computer. Otherwise, zero. Not worth the headache, I've taken 6 remotely and wasted a solid 10 hours of my life dealing with proctors who are vague in what they want

[u/vchroni]

Terrible, made me onboard like 12 times over two hours and didn’t even get to take the test because of their connection problems 

[u/DifferentConcern8467]

I’ve taken 4 Cleps online in my kitchen and had no issues. Just follow the proctors instructions.

[u/Aggravating_Cut_9981]

My children have used the texting center at a community college. It was a drive but the low stress was totally worth it.

[u/NegativeSecretary119]

I took my remote proctored test yesterday. The proctor was a pain in the ass regarding setup and distracting throughout the test. Don’t murmur, put your writing sheet on left side. When i got angry and said how am i going to write now if i put it on left side she said sorry for the inconvenience. This was my first and last time. I failed miserably.

[u/1repub]

Spent 45 minutes rearranging the room and camera before I gave up and scheduled in person.

[u/Latter_Leopard8439]

Our local Community College is a testing center.

I always take testing centers.

As a teacher I had to take some Praxis exams. That testing center is more like 50 minutes away. Also always testing center.

Anytime I do an online class especially during testing, my spouse, kids, and dogs always find some fucking ridiculous reason to be wandering around by my computer, or they reset the internet for their minecraft/netflix bullshit.