A Note on CMPSC 461 Remote Exams
How will we run the exam?
We will try to mimic the experience of an open-book/notes and in-person exam. Moreover, to reduce potential anxiety due to unfamiliar ways problems are delivered and answers are submitted, we will follow the approach we have used for homework so far (i.e., using Gradescope). In particular,
• The exam will be available on Gradescope, in the same way that we post homework
• All of your answers must be written on blank papers or tablets, rather than typing them
in web-based format. This mimics the experience of an in-person exam.
• After the exam time, you’ll have extra time to upload your answers to Gradescope, in
the same way that you submit homework so far
However, to enforce academic integrity, we will impose the following restrictions throughout the exam:
• You’re free to use mouse/fingers to browse exam questions and any lecture note that is pre-opened in a browser. But the use of keyboard, or typing on smartphone/tablet, is strictly restricted for asking exam-related questions in ZOOM chat window.
• Remove all hats & headphones.
• When possible, remove face masks. Otherwise, unmute yourself during the exam.
ZOOM and Camera usage: we need to proctor the exam via ZOOM. We will assign students to different ZOOM rooms by their last names:
• A-C: https://psu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIocumorTojGdGFUSITwlS1lkl6m2IRMV7D
• D-G: https://psu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAodu2hrDIqH9TP0R297FHFTV1ltXjjzbq4
• H-L: https://psu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwpd-yvrzgrHdOQ1HuVjQpnlGgFb6XADgy0
• M-P: https://psu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEqcOurqT8rGNzPOP5eG53Klm7SgfBzlYtf
• Q-T: https://psu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0kc-mvqTwjE9x4o3CF4AHPAnJVjdIVxH2C
• U-Z: https://psu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0vcumrqzMsGNV-zTg2se-BsQdu1uZfZbkp
So, you’ll need to turn on your camera and allow us to see your face and hands throughout the exam (if not possible, try to focus on hands without revealing contents on paper). We also need to see the immediate surroundings (no virtual backgrounds). Before the exam starts, we might also ask you to show your photo ID.
If students do not have access to a camera or have concerns that prevent them from being able to use a camera, the student must make the faculty member aware of these concerns at least 48 hours before the time of the assessment.
Before the exam: carefully read this note and let the instructor know if you have any special needs for the exam. All student will be in their assigned ZOOM rooms. We will not use ZOOM breakout rooms.
You also need to prepare the following before the exam:
• A photo ID
• A computer or smartphone to
o join the ZOOM meeting for the exam
o read the exam questions on Gradescope
o upload your answers at the end of the exam (like the way that you submit
homework submissions on Gradescope)
• A camera (on computer or smartphone) so that we can see you during the entire exam
• A few blank papers and pens to write down your answers
• A device that allows you to take pictures of your answers or scan them. If scanning is
preferred, here are some recommended apps: o Android: img2pdf, CamScanner
o iOS: DocScan
What to expect during the exam?
• 6:50PM: You should join the assigned ZOOM room BEFORE 6:50PM. The exam will be released at 6:50PM, and you should use 10mins to
o Adjust your camera so that we can see your face and hands o Change your ZOOM name to be your legal name
o Log in to Gradescope
o Make sure your photo ID is ready
o Read questions, or write them down on paper if you prefer
o Read the EXAM instructions
One of our proctors will check the camera setting of each student and ask to show the photo ID. After that, you’re all set before the exam starts.
Note that you CANNOT open the exam before joining ZOOM. We will check timestamps on both ends to enforce that.
• 7:00PM to 8:40PM: You can work on the exam questions for 100 mins. During this time, you should
o Keep the camera turned on
o Browse questions on Gradescope and work on your answers on papers
o If you have any question or need help, use ZOOM chat
o If you want to submit early, ask your proctor for that and move on to the next
bullet
• 8:40PM to 8:50PM: You cannot work on the exam anymore (otherwise, a 20% penalty
might apply).
o The camera should still be turned on
o submit your work on Gradescope (the same way that you submit homework on
Gradescope)
o Once submitted, let the proctor know in ZOOM Chat
o You can leave the ZOOM meeting once the proctor says OK (so that we have a
timestamp on when you leave the meeting)
o Note that any submission to Gradescope after you turned off the camera will not be graded