Request a Test Appointment
Testing hours are by appointment only and should be requested at least three business days in advance. Walk-ins are not accepted. You will receive an appointment confirmation within 24 hours via email.
The university offers secure, professional test proctoring for USC students enrolled
in online courses as well as non-USC students completing online courses through other universities. Testing is not available for
students enrolled in traditional, face-to-face classes. Refer to your course syllabus for your professor's specific testing expectations and instructions.
Testing Options for USC Online Students
Online students can take tests and exams using one of several options — at the Testing Center, via remote proctor, or at an approved on- or off-campus testing site. Each professor will establish his or her own course testing instructions, which will be communicated in your course syllabus. Here are three different ways you can fulfill your online testing requirements along with any related policies and requirements for doing so.
Proctored exams are available in the Distributed Learning Testing Center on the USC Columbia campus. The appointment-only center is located at 1716 College Street. The center is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Walk-ins are not accepted.
Testing Center Policies
- You must request a test appointment at least three business days in advance. To request a test appointment, please complete a
Campus Proctor Request Form.
- You are required to bring a valid photo ID with you to your exam.
- You must bring instructor-specified materials, such as graph or scratch paper, or a calculator, with you to the exam.
- You will be monitored by audio and video surveillance while in the testing room.
- Children are not permitted in the Testing Center and should not be left unattended in the waiting area.
- Food and beverages are not permitted in the Testing Center.
The secure online proctoring service, ProctorU, lets you schedule exam times and locations that fit your schedule. ProctorU verifies
your identity and records your testing session. Each testing session is reviewed by
a certified proctor to ensure integrity. You will be required to pay an $8-14 fee for online proctoring, depending on the length of the exam, directly to ProctorU
during your exam. You must also have access to a computer with a webcam and reliable
internet connection to use ProctorU.
Getting Started for Students [pdf]
Test your equipment
ProctorU Live+ Student – Prep Guide [pdf]
ProctorU – How it Works – Test Taker [pdf]
ProctorU Test-Taker Resource Center
ProctorU Help Desk [pdf]
Privacy Policy
StudentTestingRights.org
Compliance
How do I uninstall ProctorU software?
How do I re-enable my Mac screenshot hotkeys?
Monitor provides automated exam proctoring and enables students to take assessments within Blackboard. After a one-time installation of a plugin, each student follows a startup sequence that guides them through completion of requirements set by the instructor. Monitor records each student’s session for later review and applies monitoring algorithms to notify instructors of any issues for their review. This product is integrated in Blackboard, and available for use at no cost to students.
Quick Start Guide for Students
Blackboard and Blackboard Ultra
An overview for your students (Video)
Introduction to Respondus LockDown Browser for Students (video: 2 minutes)
Online students may take an exam at an alternative on- or off-campus approved testing site.
USC System Sites
The University of South Carolina System offers a number of approved testing sites. To schedule an exam, you must inform Distributed Learning of your preferred testing
site, and then contact the site coordinator at least one week before each exam to schedule your appointment.
Off-Campus Sites
You can use a proctor from any accredited college or university that offers testing
services. Most institutions have testing facilities or testing services offered through
their online program. You will need to complete a Proctor Request Form [pdf] for approval to take an exam at an off-campus testing location.