Check that your equipment meets the Equipment & System Requirements
The following sets out the minimum requirements which must be met in order to sit exams online with remote invigilation. You will need a suitable PC (eg laptop with integrated webcam or desktop with webcam) and access to the internet. You should familiarise yourself with these minimum requirements as soon as possible.
It is recommended that you use a personal laptop/PC for your exam. Work laptops or devices may have restricted access and admin rights installed. This may cause issues when trying to access the ProctorExam platform. If you do intend to use a work laptop or device, you must make sure there are no issues accessing the ProctorExam platform and that you have the right permissions to enable the exam to run.
Please use the same device for the system check that you will use for the exam itself.
It is your responsibility to check that your system complies with these requirements before your exam. You will receive a system check email three weeks before the exam. You should complete your system check three weeks before your exam so any issues can be communicated to the BSB and considered in good time.
The detailed requirements are set out below.
Laptop/PC
You will need a laptop or PC to sit your exam. (You cannot take your exam on a mobile device or tablet.) Your default web browser must be set to the latest version of Google Chrome. If you plan to use a laptop with a small screen, it is possible to plug in an external screen and close your laptop screen.
Laptop/PC System requirements are as follows:
- Bandwidth: minimum 1Mbps or higher upload speed, recommend upload speed is 1.5Mbps or over. Additional recommended minimums are 10Mbps download speed and ping under 25 ms.
- Tethering to the internet via a mobile phone is not supported.
- Delivery of exams on the following Operating Systems are supported:
- Windows 8 or higher;
- MAC OS X or higher (latest and previous releases);
- Linux 64-bit;
- Ubuntu 14.04 or above;
- Debian 8 or above;
- openSUSE 13.3 or above; and
- Fedora Linux 24 or above.
Other operating systems are not supported.
- WiFi connection: please take your assessment where the WiFi signal is strongest.
- Web browser: latest version of Google Chrome. Google Chrome is a requirement for exams that are to be invigilated online.
- Webcam required: maximum resolution of 1280 x 720
- In order to view the Handbook and exam paper side by side, the screen size on your device will need to be a minimum of 1920 x 1080 pixels.
Please note that you will be required to use your webcam to show that your desk is clear at the start of your exam and that your room is set up correctly. This will mean that you will need to move your webcam around. If necessary, you may wish to consider using a detachable/USB webcam rather than the one built into your computer. Alternatively, if you cannot use a moveable webcam, you can request an adjustment to your exam arrangement whereby you use your mobile device as a second camera during your exam. You must notify the BSB of this adjustment at least two weeks in advance. You will need to download an app to do this. Instructions on how to do this will be sent to you once your adjustment has been approved.
- Microphone required
- Audio required
- If possible, turn off any updates on devices
- Do NOT use separate headset or earphones
- More than one monitor is NOT permitted
Notes:
The test software does not allow computers running Virtual Machines. If you are running a virtual machine, you will be asked to close your virtual machine and boot into your operating system to take your test.
The test software does not support development previews, beta builds, or release candidates of any operating system unless specified.
WiFi / Internet Connection
In preparation for your exam, check where your WiFi connection is strongest. Ideally you should ensure that the room in which you will take the exam is where the connection is strongest. Alternatively, if your WiFi signal is not strong or stable enough, you may use an ethernet cable to connect your device directly to your router. You may also choose to sit your exam in someone else’s home where the WiFi connection is stronger and more reliable.
If you will be sitting your exam in a house you share with other people, you are encouraged to ask other members of your household to limit their internet use during the exam, for example, avoiding streaming services, video conferencing calls or large downloads.
Room set up
The room in which you choose to sit your exam must be well lit. As remote invigilation involves you being monitored by the cameras on your laptop/PC, you will need to be clearly visible throughout the exam. If your chosen location is near a window, ensure that light from the window does not prevent you from being visible through your webcam.
You will need a chair and a table or desk which has been cleared of all personal items other than any materials you are permitted to access during the exam and the device you will be using (laptop/PC). You should not take the exam with your device balanced on your knee or sitting on a sofa or bed.
Please see the Exam Rules for more detail about what is and is not permitted.
It is advisable to have a power socket in reach so you can plug in the devices you are using (eg laptop) to ensure that they do not run out of battery.
The room may contain other furniture, however, you must ensure that there are no personal items which are not permitted in the exam such as legal textbooks on a bookcase or table, or revision notes stuck on walls. You are not permitted to open drawers, cupboards or similar items of furniture during your exam.
If you are using a room at your place of work, you must ensure that you have your employer’s/chambers’ permission. The room must meet the requirements set out above. You should also ensure that you will not be disturbed for the duration of your exam.
It is recommended that you sit a practice test in the room you plan to use so you can carry out a trial run in advance of the live exam.
Set up your PC
You will be required to carry out a system check, following receipt of an email from the BSB at least five working days before your exam. The email will be sent from [email protected]. (This is not a monitored mailbox so please do not reply to this email - if you want to contact us, please email [email protected])
Please ensure you add this address to your “safe senders” list before your exam so that the email does not go into your junk mail folder. We strongly advise that you do the following as soon as possible:
- Ensure you are using the latest version of Google Chrome. To check if you have the latest version of Google Chrome:
- on your computer, open Chrome;
- click on the menu in the upper right corner next to the website address bar (the icon with three vertical dots);
- click on “Help”; and
- click on “About Google Chrome” which will then show your latest version and if it is up to date or not.
To update Google Chrome:
- click on the menu in the upper right corner next to the website address bar (the icon with three vertical dots);
- click Update Google Chrome. If you don't see this button, you're on the latest version (this may update automatically if you are not on the latest version); and
- click Relaunch.
- Allow pop-ups for ProctorExam:
- type chrome://settings/content into the address bar and press Enter;
- select Pop-ups from the Content Settings screen;
- in “Allow”, click “Add” and enter https://surpass.proctorexam.com ; and
- close the Content Settings screen.
- Install ProctorExam extension/plugin within Chrome to allow screen sharing:
- click on the link here or type in
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/category/extensions
- search for ProctorExam;
- click on ‘add to chrome’; and
- click on ‘add extension’.
- Ensure background notifications for other applications are turned off. In order to do this, please follow the steps below:
On Windows 8:
- access the Charm bar by navigating to the right side of the screen with your mouse (upper or lower corner) or by pressing the Windows key and C (Win+C) keyboard combination;
- click on “Settings” (Cog wheel icon);
- click on “More PC settings” at the bottom of the settings screen;
- click on the “Notifications” option on left pane of the PC settings screen; and
- on the right pane of the “Notifications” screen, under the section “Show notifications from these apps”, turn off any application notifications that may run in the background eg Mail application.
On Windows 10:
- click on the Start menu (Windows key);
- click on Settings (Cog wheel icon);
- click on “Notifications & actions”; and
- under the section “Get notifications from these apps”, turn off any application notifications that may run in the background eg Mail application.
On MacOS:
- click on the Apple menu (Apple icon);
- click on “System Preferences...”;
- click on “Notifications”; and
- for any applications that may have notifications run in the background, select these and then select “None” under the alert style in the right panel of the Notifications screen.
The video referred to in this Guide takes you through the checks and set up.
Carry out a system check
You will be sent a system check email three weeks before your exam which will contain instructions on how to perform a system check to ensure your PC is set up and ready to go.
Please ensure you run your system check as soon as possible after you receive the email (ideally within 24 hours) to avoid any unwanted problems just before your exam. Once you click on the system check link in the email you receive, you will be given simple instructions on how to complete the check. You must conduct the system check on the same device and at the same location as you will use for the exam. During the system check, if you encounter any technical difficulties, you will be able to access online chat support. You will find this in the bottom right-hand corner of your screen.
Important: You must carry out the system check on the device you are going to use for the exam and must disconnect any second screens from the device if you usually use a second screen.
Email with link to your exam
Approximately 72 hours before your exam, an email will be sent containing the link to your exam. Please check your junk email folder. You are not required to do anything with this email until the day of the exam. If you have not received your exam link 24 hours before the exam, you must notify the BSB.
Identification
When you take your exam, you will be required to show a valid form of identification (ID). We accept the following forms of ID, and you must present one form of ID when you take your exam. This document must contain your photograph and your signature.
- Current Valid Passport (any nationality)
- Current Full or Provisional UK Photo Card Driving Licence
- Other government-issued photographic ID (such as a national identification card or biometric residence permit)
The name on your ID must match the name with which you are registered to take your exam.
If you cannot meet the ID requirements, please contact the BSB as soon as possible.
Head coverings and earpieces
If you are wearing a head covering which covers your face, you will be asked to lift it briefly in order to verify your identity. You will also need to show your ears to confirm that you are not wearing headphones or other earpiece devices. If you would like to request that these checks be conducted by a proctor of a specific gender, you can request this in advance by following the process described above to book an exam adjustment.
Examination Rules
In advance of the exam, ensure that you have read and understand the BSB’s examination rules so that you do not breach these rules when you take your exam. You will be able to access an online version of the BSB Handbook via a URL. Your screen will therefore not be locked and if you access any other webpages, this will be noted by the invigilator.
Surpass Online Invigilation Guide
You should review Surpass' Online Invigilation Candidate Guide which has detailed information about the system requirements, as well as step-by-step instructions for completing your system check and the exam set-up process you will follow on the day of the exam. Please note that this document makes reference to using a mobile phone/app as a second proctoring device. The BSB does not use the second mobile proctoring device, so you can disregard details within the document specific to that function.
You can find the guide here:
Please ensure you have read the Exam Rules and comply with them.
Be prepared
Ensure that you have everything ready for the exam by checking that:
- the room is set up as described above and there are no unauthorised materials on bookshelves, walls, tables etc;
- you have disconnected any second screens;
- you have your ID to hand;
- you have told anyone with whom you share your house (if you are sitting at home) that you are not to be disturbed and, where possible, to avoid internet use, in particular streaming services, video conferencing calls and large downloads;
- you have told your colleagues that you must not be disturbed if you are sitting at work. (It is advisable to put a ‘Do not disturb’ notice on the door of the room.);
- you have all the materials which you are permitted to use in the exam ready (Please refer to the Exam Rules); and
- you have your PC (laptop or desktop) and charging cable ready.
Pre-exam checks
At the time you are due to take your exam, simply click on the exam link in your email, follow the ID check, environment check, permitted materials check. In order to access the exam you will be prompted to enter a PIN, which the proctor will provide to you once all pre-exam checks have been completed.
Please note that if you click on the exam link in your email before the start time of the exam it will not work. The checks are explained in more detail below.
Close application and browser windows (notifications)
You will be prompted to enable desktop notifications for ProctorExam and to close all applications and browser windows/tabs (except for ProctorExam).
It is your responsibility to ensure that there are no onscreen disruptions during your examination. Please make sure that background notifications for other applications are turned off. The “Set Up Your PC” section above provides help with how to do this.
ID checks
When prompted to do so you must show valid ID. (The types of ID accepted by the BSB are set out above.) You will be prompted to hold your ID to the webcam on your PC (laptop or desktop) in order for a photo of your ID to be taken. You will then be prompted to take and submit a photo of your head and face. You must ensure that you hold your ID close enough to the webcam so that the photo of your ID is clear.
Environment check
When prompted to do so, you must conduct the room and equipment scan as directed.
Camera check
You will be instructed to check your camera is positioned correctly. The stream from your webcam is displayed on your PC screen. Check that you can clearly see yourself. Where necessary, you can reposition your webcam.
Permitted Materials check
When prompted to do so, you will be directed to carry out the permitted materials checks. (Please see Exam Rules for information about which materials are permitted.)
Launch Exam and Keycode/PIN
When you are ready, click to launch the exam as directed. You will be required to input a keycode and PIN when prompted. The keycode appears on the launch test screen. The PIN will be provided to you by the proctor. The exam timer on the screen will begin once you have entered your PIN and accessed the exam.
You will first see the Instructions for Candidates for the exam you are taking. These instructions confirm the duration and format of the exam. Make sure you read in full the Instructions to Candidates. Once you have read these instructions, you can then click Start Exam.
You will have a maximum of 45 minutes from the scheduled start time of the exam in which to complete the above steps and to launch your exam. If you have not launched the exam within this period, you will not be able to sit your exam and you will need to rebook for a future sit.
You must ensure that you comply with the Examination Rules.
During your exam, your computer will not be “locked down” and you will be able to access other applications such as internet browsers. However, it is important to note that if you breach the exam rules with what you access this will be recorded and logged.
Leaving your workstation
You will be allowed to go for toilet breaks during the examination. The examination will not be paused whilst your toilet break is taken. If you have adjustments which allow additional time for breaks, this will be accounted for.
Other than to go to the toilet, you must remain at your workstation throughout the duration of your exam. Excessive breaks will be noted by the invigilator.
Taking your exam
At the start of your exam, you should read carefully the Instructions to Candidates for the exam. You should ensure that you:
- read the questions carefully before answering them; and
- attempt all questions in accordance with the Instructions to Candidates.
- during the exam, there will be a link to the BSB Handbook page available. Please note that during the exam you will not be able to use the "Download Handbook" function. Please instead use the links on the page and the search function to navigate the Handbook.
Support during the exam
During the exam, if you encounter any technical difficulties, you will be able to access online chat support. You will find this in the bottom right-hand corner of your screen. The chat support is for technical difficulties only. You cannot ask about the content of the exam, for example, if you don’t understand a question. If you are unsure about a question or think there is a problem with a question you should note this in your response and continue with the exam.
End of the Exam
When you are happy with your answers, you can click the “Finish” button on the screen and confirm that you want to end the exam. You will not be able to amend any answers after this point as your answers will be submitted.
