Off-site testing in online courses requiring an in-person exam

  • Updated

This article covers what you need to know if you are enrolled in an online summer course that has an in-person exam, but you cannot come to campus on the exam day. It explains who can serve as a proctor, how to find a qualified testing center, and what information you must submit to obtain approval. It also describes the steps you must take before your exam and what to expect on the day of the assessment.

Important: The deadline to submit the Proctor Nomination Form is Sunday, July 19, 2026. This deadline is strictly enforced.

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What is Off-site Proctoring?

All students enrolled in an asynchronous online summer course with an in-person exam (final or midterm) are expected to take it on campus. However, if a student is unable to come to campus on the scheduled day and time, they may request to take the exam under the supervision of a professional proctor at a nearby testing center approved by Summer Sessions. 

In order to qualify to take the in-person exam off-site, students are responsible for:

  • Reviewing all guidelines below
  • Identifying a qualified testing center or, in cases where there are no available testing centers, an eligible individual proctor (more information below).
  • Contacting the center to confirm their availability.
  • Submitting the Proctor Nomination Form by the deadline for their session.
  • Once approved, schedule the exam directly with the testing center.

Who Can Serve as a Proctor?

A proctor (also known as an exam invigilator or supervisor in some countries) is a professional who supervises in-person exams and makes sure all academic integrity standards are met. Proctors are affiliated with testing centers, academic institutions, or learning centers, and are trained or certified to administer testing materials.

Important: A proctor may never be a family member, friend, classmate, tutor, or direct supervisor of the student.

What is a Qualified Testing Center?

A testing center is a professional facility that administers in-person exams in a secure environment. To qualify for nomination in a UC Berkeley Summer Sessions Online Course, centers should have dedicated testing rooms (quiet spaces with minimal distractions and controlled access), employ staff trained to proctor, and agree to follow guidelines for verifying identities, supervising exams, and handling exam materials. 

Examples include:

  • Campus testing offices that administer accommodated exams, placement tests, and distance-education exams.
  • Independent centers that administer certification exams (IT, nursing, accounting, or real estate licensing).
  • Public libraries with staff trained to supervise in-person exams.

All testing centers implementing exams must first be verified by Summer Sessions Online Learning (see below). Virtual or web-based proctoring services are not permitted. All exams must be administered in person.

Who can I Nominate?

Requirements for nominating a proctor and testing center vary depending on the region where you are testing:

  • Students in California should only nominate pre-approved regional testing centers.
  • Students outside of California can nominate local testing centers that meet UC Berkeley requirements. We recommend reviewing the Suggested Locations list and the National College Testing Association (NCTA) directory, or contacting local college testing centers in the vicinity.
  • If you are abroad, we recommend contacting embassies, as well as consular or diplomatic offices, including but not limited to organizations such as the Fulbright Commission or the British Council. University testing centers, as well as certification and placement testing centers, are good options to consider.

What if I cannot find a Testing Center?

If there is no testing center within 150 miles of their locality, a student may request to take the exam under the supervision of an individual (non-affiliated) proctor. In such exceptional cases, the student must provide a clear rationale on the Proctor Nomination Form. Our office will review the submission to determine whether the proposed proctor meets eligibility requirements or whether the student should be redirected to another testing center in the region. 

 Acceptable individual proctors for an off-site in-person exam include:

  • A college or university faculty member
  • A high school principal
  • An employee at a U.S. Embassy or Consular Office
  • A military education officer or chaplain (for active service members)

Contacting the Testing Center

Students are responsible for selecting a testing center that meets Summer Sessions requirements. Students must contact the test center directly to verify availability for the scheduled exam time, confirm that it can follow the off-site exam guidelines for their course and location (below), and that it can meet all requested DSP accessibility requirements (if approved). You should also ask about any associated fees, which you will be responsible for covering. 

MATH 51: Calculus (Session C) 

MATH 53: Multivariable Calculus (Session C)  

  • Proctor Guidelines - Within North and South America
  • Proctor Guidelines - Outside North and South America

MATH 54: Linear Algebra and Differential Equations (Session C) 

MCELLBI 55: Plagues and Pandemics (Session D)

  • Proctor Guidelines - Within North and South America
  • Proctor Guidelines - Outside North and South America

PHILOS W12A: Introduction to Logic (Session C)

  • Proctor Guidelines (All Locations)

POLSCI W3:  Introduction to Empirical Analysis and Quantitative Methods  (Session C)

POLSCI W135: Game Theory in the Social Sciences (Session C)  

  • Proctor Guidelines - Within North and South America
  • Proctor Guidelines - Outside North and South America

* Proctor Guidelines are being updated for Summer 2026. Please check back closer to the start of the course for the revised instructions. In the meantime, consult your course syllabus or contact your instructor with any questions.

Proctor Nomination Form

***Access to the Proctor Nomination Form will be available at the start of Summer 2026 Session C***

All students requesting to take an in-person exam off-site must submit the Proctor Nomination Form. The form provides UC Berkeley Summer Sessions with the necessary information to assess the testing center or individual proctor you have selected and verify contact details.

In preparation for submitting the form, you must collect the following information as accurately as possible:

  • Name of the proctoring center or institution
  • Full address of the testing center
  • Proctor’s first and last name
  • Proctor’s job title at the site
  • Email address (tied to their institution or organization)
  • Direct phone number

The deadline to submit the Proctor Nomination Form is Sunday, July 19, 2026.  If you do not submit it by the deadline, you will be expected to take your exam on campus.

Students should never complete forms on behalf of a proctor. If a proctor has questions or needs translated materials, they must contact Summer Sessions Online Learning directly at summeronline@berkeley.edu. If you are unable to access the online Proctor Nomination Form, you can request a PDF version by emailing the same address. You will receive a downloadable file that you can complete and email back when finished.

Submitting the Form does not Confirm Approval

After your form is received, UC Berkeley Summer Sessions will contact the nominated proctor directly. If the proctor or testing center does not meet requirements, you may be asked to nominate a different proctor, or you may be redirected to another testing center in the region. 

Important: Summer Sessions reserves the right to revoke proctor approval at any point in the process. Approval can be revoked if the student or proctor submits intentionally false or unverifiable information, fails to meet communication or procedural expectations, does not follow instructions as issued, engages in conduct indicating a conflict of interest or malicious intent, or exhibits any behavior that jeopardizes exam integrity. 

Day of the Exam

You will be notified by email once your nominated testing center or proctor has been approved. After you receive confirmation, it is your responsibility to schedule your exam on the exact date and time specified by your instructor in the course guidelines. Your proctor will receive the exam and all related instructions directly and will be responsible for printing it and having it ready when you arrive.

Be sure to show up on time for your appointment, as you may not be permitted to sit your exam if you are late.

Bring a pen or pencil, along with any other items allowed by the course-specific guidelines. You must also bring a valid government-issued photo ID (current passport, state driver’s license, or state identification card) or your UC Berkeley student ID. The name on your ID must match the name on the exam file and will be verified by the proctor. 

The use of unauthorized materials may be considered a violation of academic integrity. A clear bottle of water is permitted. If you need food during the exam, check with the testing center beforehand. Do not bring books, notebooks, phones, earbuds, smartwatches, tablets, calculators, or other electronic devices unless explicitly approved by your instructor or DSP.

Your proctor will oversee the entire exam session, but cannot answer questions about the exam content. If any questions come up, the proctor will document them and include that information with your exam materials. The proctor is also authorized to record concerns or suspected academic misconduct and forward them to your instructor. Any violation of UC Berkeley’s academic integrity policy will be reported to the Center for Student Conduct and may result in disciplinary action.

If you experience a disruption such as illness, an emergency, or any unexpected event, you must notify both your proctor and Summer Sessions Online Learning (summeronline@berkeley.edu) immediately. You may be asked to provide documentation if your exam needs to be rescheduled.

Accommodations

UC Berkeley Summer Sessions is committed to ensuring equitable access to all courses and assessments for students with disabilities and other accessibility needs. Students who require DSP-approved accommodations are strongly recommended to take their in-person exam on campus, where accommodations can be reliably provided.

If you cannot come to campus for your exam and require accommodations, you must identify an off-site testing center that can support those accommodations. If you have not already done so, schedule an intake appointment with the Disabled Students’ Program (DSP) and inform your instructor as early as possible. DSP reviews and approves all academic accommodations for Summer Sessions, and approval must be finalized at least ten business days before your exam date. After DSP confirms your accommodations, Summer Sessions will coordinate with your instructor and your DSP specialist to ensure that the information is conveyed to your proctor.

Please note that not all DSP-approved accommodations may be possible off-site. Proctoring centers vary widely in their ability to support accessibility needs. Summer Sessions does not monitor testing environments or oversee local service providers. If you pursue the off-site option, you are responsible for selecting a proctoring center that can fully support your accommodations. This includes confirming their ability to provide extended time, distraction-reduced space, breaks, assistive technology, or any other authorized adjustments. You must also cover any fees charged by the testing center, including those related to extended exam time or accommodation arrangements.

If the necessary accommodations cannot be implemented at your off-site location, you must work with your DSP specialist to determine an alternative plan, which may involve coming to campus.

Questions or Need Help?

If you have questions about exam content, permitted materials, or the Proctor Guidelines for your course, contact your instructor or Graduate Student Instructor (GSI).

If you need help with your exam appointment (including timing, location, or what to expect on the day of the exam), contact your approved proctor or the proctoring center directly.

If you require accommodations or have questions about your support plan through DSP, contact the Disabled Students’ Program as early as possible. 

If you have questions about off-site testing, how to nominate a proctor, deadlines, or if you’re not sure who to ask, contact the Summer Sessions Online Learning team at summeronline@berkeley.edu. 

 

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