Online courses requiring an in-person or proctored final exam

  • Updated

  1. What is Off-site Proctoring?

Some online courses offered during UC Berkeley Summer Sessions require an in-person final exam. While most students take the exam on campus, if you are not able to come to Berkeley for the assessment,you may request to take your exam off-site.

Off-site proctoring means that you will complete your final exam at a different location, under the supervision of a qualified individual—proctor—who observes the entire session and verifies that you followed all exam instructions.  The proctor helps uphold principles of honesty and fairness by confirming that you did not access unauthorized materials or receive unapproved exceptions, and that the exam was administered in accordance with the University of California, Berkeley’s guidelines for academic integrity.

To request off-site proctoring, you must:

  • Find a qualified proctor or proctoring center
  • Submit the Proctor Nomination Form by July 14, 2025
  • Once your proctor is approved, schedule your exam for the date and time assigned by your course

  1. Check if Your Course Requires a Proctored Final Exam (Summer 2025)

Before reaching out to a proctor or testing center, be sure to review the course-specific guidelines listed below. You must take your final exam at the exact date and time assigned by your instructor and outlined in these documents. Some courses have different requirements depending on where you will be during the exam (whether within or outside North and South America). Be sure to follow the version that corresponds to both your course and your location.

Math 1A: Calculus (Session C) 

Math W53: Multivariable Calculus (Session C)  

Math W54: Linear Algebra and Differential Equations (Session C) 

Philos W12A: Introduction to Logic (Session C)

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

* Proctor Guidelines are still being updated for Summer 2025. If you have any questions, consult the course syllabus or contact your instructor directly. 

  1. Who Can Serve as Your Proctor

A proctor (also known as an exam invigilator or supervisor in some countries) is a professional who oversees exams to ensure they are administered fairly and securely, in accordance with academic standards. As the student, you are responsible for identifying a qualified proctor and confirming their availability on the exam date. You must also submit their information for verification (see below), cover any fees associated with their services, and schedule your exam once your proctor has been approved.

 Acceptable proctors for your off-site in-person exam include:

  • A professional or school-based testing center
  • A college or university faculty member or administrator
  • A high school principal or administrator
  • A staff member from a U.S. Embassy or Consular Office (for students located abroad)
  • A military education officer or chaplain (for active service members)

Important: Your proctor must not be a family member, friend, classmate, tutor, direct supervisor, or anyone with a personal or professional relationship to you. Virtual or web-based proctoring services are not allowed. All exams must be taken in person.

You may consult the Suggested Proctor Locations list for options that have been used successfully in the past. Be sure to select the correct tab for sites within or outside the United States. You can also check with centers affiliated with the National College Testing Association (NCTA). Please note that all proctors, including those from suggested sites, must still complete the full verification process described below. 

  1. All Proctors Must Be Approved (Deadline Passed)

Before scheduling an off-site final exam, students were required to have their proctor reviewed and approved by UC Berkeley Summer Sessions. The deadline to submit the Proctor Nomination Form was Monday, July 14, 2025. Students who did not submit a completed form by that date must take their final exam on campus at the regularly scheduled time for their class.


If you submitted the form, you should have received an email confirming receipt. We will contact all nominated proctors to verify their eligibility. If a proctor does not meet the requirements or fails to respond, you will be asked to nominate a different proctor or travel to a testing center.


You will be notified via email once your proctor has been approved. Please note, it is your responsibility to contact your proctor or proctoring center directly and schedule your exam at the exact date and time assigned by your course in the Proctor Guidelines above.


If you have any questions, please contact us at summeronline@berkeley.edu.

  1. Day of the exam

A copy of the final exam and all related instructions will be sent directly to your approved proctor before the scheduled date. The proctor is responsible for printing the exam and having it ready when you arrive. Be sure to show up on time for your appointment—if you are late, you may not be allowed to take the exam.

You must bring a valid government-issued photo ID or your UC Berkeley student ID. The name on your ID must match the name listed on the exam file and will be verified by your proctor. You should also bring a pen or pencil, and an eraser if needed. 

If your instructor allows a formula sheet or a single sheet of notes, be sure to bring only what is permitted by the course-specific guidelines. Do not bring any books, notebooks, phones, earbuds, smartwatches, tablets, calculators, or other electronic devices unless they have been explicitly approved by your instructor or authorized by DSP. The use of unauthorized materials may be considered a violation of academic integrity.

Your proctor will supervise the entire exam session and ensure the testing environment is appropriate. They are not allowed to answer questions about the exam content, and no one from UC Berkeley will be available to provide clarification during the exam. 

If any questions or concerns arise, your proctor should document them and include them with the exam materials. If you experience any disruptions—such as illness, emergencies, or other unexpected events—you must notify both your proctor and your instructor immediately. Documentation may be required if your exam needs to be rescheduled. 

At the end of the exam, you and your proctor must complete and sign the Attendance Certificate. The proctor will again confirm that your name matches the ID you presented. Any concerns—such as suspected academic misconduct, technical issues, or disruptions—must be noted on the certificate. Violations of UC Berkeley’s academic integrity policy will be reported to the Center for Student Conduct and may result in disciplinary action.

  1. Accommodations

UC Berkeley Summer Sessions is committed to ensuring full and equitable access to all courses and assessments for students with disabilities and other accommodation needs. If you plan to take your final exam off-site and require accommodations, we encourage you to begin the process early.

Start by scheduling an intake appointment with the Disabled Students’ Program (DSP), which is responsible for reviewing and approving all accommodation requests during Summer Sessions. Accommodations must be approved by DSP at least 10 business days before your exam date. Once confirmed, Summer Sessions will coordinate with your DSP specialist, instructor, and proctor to help ensure that all necessary arrangements are in place.

Please note that some accommodations may be more challenging to implement in off-site settings. While Summer Sessions ensures that proctors receive clear instructions reflecting any approved accommodations, it is your responsibility to identify and nominate a proctor who is both willing and able to implement those needs—such as extended time, a distraction-reduced environment, or access to assistive technologies. Not all proctors or testing centers can meet these requirements. If your accommodations require a highly controlled environment or specialized support, we strongly recommend taking your exam at the DSP Proctoring Center on campus, where additional resources are available.

To protect your privacy, proctors are not informed of your DSP status or specific accommodations. Instead, they receive only a customized set of exam instructions that reflect your approved adjustments. These instructions, along with the exam materials, are sent directly to your proctor in advance.

If you choose to test off-site, you are responsible for covering any fees charged by the proctoring center, including those associated with accommodations such as extended time or additional services.

  1. Questions or Need Help?

If you have questions about exam content, permitted materials, or course-specific proctoring instructions, 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 (DSP) as early as possible. 

If you have questions about off-site proctoring, 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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