Common Misconceptions About Proctored Exams

When you are studying for an upcoming exam, the last thing you want to worry about is where you are going to take the exam and if it is a secure and credible environment. You may not even be sure what a proctored exam is; the simplest way to put it is that proctored exams are administered in-person or remotely where you have a proctor there the whole time monitoring you from start to finish. Learn about why proctored exams are important in our other blog. When looking at the two options of doing an in-person exam at a testing centre or using an online service, there are misconceptions when it comes to both. We have cleared up some common misconceptions about proctored exams below.

Online Proctoring 

Misconception # 1: Less invasive 

While this may seem true as you are not in the same physical space as the exam supervisor, this is a misconception. To do an online proctoring exam you need to show the supervisor the room you are taking the exam in, allow access to your camera and microphone on your laptop, let them see your working space, and make sure nothing is on your person that could potentially lead to cheating. This ends up being way more invasive than expected. 

Misconception #2: More secure  

Whenever you are giving someone else access to your computer or laptop, you are creating a security risk for all your data attached to that IP address. No matter how secure a platform or exam technology is said to be, there is always a risk. It happened to 400,000 university students who had their data breached, and all their personal information became freely available on online hacker forums.    

Misconception #3: Most affordable option  

Yes, the cost of an online proctoring service is cheaper than the cost of an in-person exam. But that is just the cost of the exam. It does not account for any of the equipment you need including a reliable laptop or computer, a decent microphone and webcam, and a stable high-speed internet connection. Having to provide these extra necessities for an online proctoring exam can create an unintended barrier to access for many people.    

In-Person Proctoring 

Misconception #4: More noise and distractions 

If you have never done a proctored exam at a professional testing centre, your image of what it is like is probably similar to exams you have done at primary or secondary school—a loud open space with lots of people talking and desks being moved. This is a misconception. At Ashton Testing Services, we have a limited number of seats, and every candidate has access to a large partitioned desk and noise-cancelling headphones to ensure comfort and ease for your exam. 

  

Misconception #5: Doubled anxiety 

This misconception comes from the idea that you have a stressful exam that is anxiety-inducing, plus you are completing it in an unfamiliar environment causing double the anxiety. Fortunately, this has shown to be false because when you go to an in-person proctored exam, the staff are there to take care of everything such as sanitization, exam set up and dealing with any technical concerns/issues. This allows you to be able to solely focus on acing your exam. Plus, with the friendly and efficient staff at ATS, you will be relaxed as soon you enter the reception area. Before your exam, be sure to learn some tips on how to reframe your academic stress to ease some of your anxiety.   

Misconception #6: No accommodations 

There is a thought that testing centres want to fit as many bodies as possible into a room and provide no additional accommodations for anyone who needs it. This is false. Here at ATS, we accommodate students with special needs and provide them with a private room that is equipped with a height-adjustable desk. Our centres are also easily accessible and conveniently located with ample street parking and two public parking facilities nearby, as well as easily accessible via public transit.   

Next Steps 

If you have any concerns or questions about specific accommodations we can provide, do not hesitate to email us at testcentre@ashtontesting.ca. Our staff is looking forward to helping you with all your exam needs and providing you with the best proctoring services in BC. Best of luck in your upcoming exam! 

Written by: Lindsay McKay

 

 

How to Make Studying Work for You

 

Studying can be a unique process depending on your learning style and preferences. If you want to maximize your effectiveness and make your life easier, consider how you can make studying work for you instead of against you. What steps can you personally take so that you get more out of your individual study sessions? How can you structure those study sessions more efficiently and effectively? It helps to analyze your current studying practice and look for gaps or potential room for improvement. Remember that it is not about being perfect; it is about finding creative ways to make studying a positive and effective experience for you. 

Diverse Learning Styles 

Traditional styles of education prioritize written information and memorization through repetition. In the public school system, standardized tests are often based on demonstrating your recollection of information as opposed to demonstrating your understanding or analysis of that information. Because of this common structure, many of us are more familiar with visual learning styles and studying with the goal of memorization. There are a number of other effective learning styles to consider. Perhaps you are a kinesthetic learner, or you prefer to study review your exam notes using a screen reader or automated voice. Maybe podcasts are your ideal way to absorb information. Spend the time to try and identify your preferred style of reviewing notes, lecture materials or readings. When you identify your strengths, you can structure your study sessions around them and make better use of your time. If your upcoming exam includes a writing analysis or any written assignments, you could also consider a communication course to give yourself an added boost of confidence and insight. 

Smart Scheduling 

Schedule dedicated time into your week for regular review. Try to space out your study sessions so that you can gradually absorb the material, instead of feeling overwhelmed. Even a short study session can be beneficial and will contribute to your overall proficiency with the material. Try to make the most of your daily commute and listen to an educational podcast while you drive or review your written materials well on the bus for public transit. Be careful not to exhaust yourself or add unnecessary stress to your day. The goal of a moderate study schedule is to help you absorb the material at a comfortable, gradual pace. 

Helpful Resources 

Do you personally find that you get quite distracted while studying? You are not alone. Focus on creative solutions and the many resources that are available to you. Consider the following: 

• Create an ideal study space so you can stay focused 
• Limit mental distractions by listening to ambient music while you study 
• Take online practice tests to evaluate your progress 
• Try adding meditation to your exam routine so that you can feel more calm and centered 
• Make the most of technology and utilize productivity apps to help you succeed 
• Test your understanding by explaining a complex problem or concept to another person  
• Check out our YouTube playlist for additional study tips before your next proctored exam 

Next Steps 

Once you have a plan for how to maximize your studying efforts, you are ready to book your exam. Plan ahead so that you have plenty of time to review your required materials. Be sure to look for exam proctoring services that include a safe and secure testing environment such as ATS. 

5 Easy Tips to Boost Your Study-at-home Productivity

Online learning and distance education are getting more and more popular over the last year. This can be good news for some people because they can avoid commuting hassles and save on transportation costs. Meanwhile, for some people, studying at home can be challenging due to distractions and social isolation. 

If you feel fatigued or burnout from hours and hours of studying online, try our 5 easy tips to increase your study-at-home productivity.

 

Tip #1: Organize your study space

As a student, your study space is your sanctuary, so it is important to keep your study space clean and clear. A tidy, well-organized desk can boost your study productivity by limiting distractions while ensuring you have all the essentials you need for a study like laptops, notebooks, and writing utensils. Check out our previous blog for more tips on creating the best study space. 

Tip #2: Have a to-do list organized by priority

Sometimes, your brain is not the most effective memory tool. That is when a to-do list comes in handy. As you can tell from its name, a to-do list is a list of things you need to do. It is a popular tool that most people use to keep up with all upcoming tasks. However, organizing tasks by priority is the extra step that could make a big difference in your productivity level. 

A to-do list organized by priority can help you keep track of all the assignment deadlines, exam dates, and what tasks need to be prioritized at that moment. Also, checking tasks off your to-do list is one of the most satisfying feelings in the world. 

Tip #3: Set your own deadline 

In addition to having a to-do list, setting your own deadline get you one step closer to that A grade or crushing your upcoming proctored exams. Look at your study schedules and set your own deadlines at least 1-2 days before the actual due date. This gives you more time to review your assignments or relax before the exam. However, keep the deadlines realistic so you can have enough time to carefully go through all important materials. 

Tip #4: Try the anti-procrastination “two-minute rule.”

Procrastination is your enemy. David Allen, the father of a time management method called “Getting Things Done”, come up with an anti-procrastination “two-minute rule”. It means if you can do anything in under two minutes, get it done now. There are multiple ways to apply this rule to boost your study-at-home productivity with a little twist. For example, instead of trying to do 39 mock multiple choice questions for your upcoming TCF Canada reading test once a week, try to get 3 questions done first. By doing that every day, not only will you eventually build a habit of studying every day for your TCF Canada, but you would improve your reading skills too.

Tip #5: Create a study plan with some short breaks. 

It is easy to develop a study plan from your to-do list organized by priority and study deadlines from previous steps. The detailed study plan will vary between individuals as everyone has different learning styles and preferences. However, it is essentials to include some short breaks in there if you not already did. 

Researches have shown that the longer you work, the more unproductive you are. Hence, breaks are the secret weapon to keep your productivity levels high and improve your focus and attention. Do some stretches, pet your dogs, treat yourself a snack, or even go out for a walk to recharge your energy. They are crucial to avoid any potential fatigue or burnout that may occur after several hours of looking at the computer screen. 

Summary

Studying at home might not work for everyone. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is inevitable. If you have everything on track, keep up the good work! However, if you are feeling stressed, fatigued, or even burnout, try one of your above tips (or all 5!) to boost your productivity. Don’t forget to check out our Blogs sections and Study Tips playlist on Youtube for more valuable tips!

How to Let Go of Perfectionism Before Your Next Proctored Exam

Perfectionism can both help and hinder your progress when it comes to studying for a proctored exam. Perfectionist tendencies can make you feel super motivated and successful or the fear of failure can hold you back from really absorbing your study materials and succeeding on your exam. How can you recognize habits of perfectionism in your study routine and how can you learn to combat them? 

What is Perfectionism?

As with any personality trait or quirk, perfectionism can look a little different for everyone. For some people, perfectionism can look like success, ambition, needing structure and control and feeling uncomfortable with unpredictability. For other people, perfectionism can look like procrastination, getting overwhelmed, taking on too many responsibilities or that image of being a deer caught in the headlights. For a lot of people, perfectionism can mean a loud inner critic and unrealistic personal standards. Having a strong fear of failure can also connect to procrastination, which hurts your chances of succeeding.

Maybe the thought has crossed your mind that either you will ace this exam, or you will fail it. Either you will achieve your dreams today or you never will. If you have ever had these types of thoughts, you may be leaning on all-or-nothing thinking. This kind of polarized thinking is one aspect of perfectionism, but it is not the only perspective out there or the way that you can think about a situation. How would it feel if you aimed for a more grounded and realistic approach? What if you simply put in the work and tried your best, instead of obsessing over the outcome? You could end up noticing a major shift in how you feel and improve your test scores while you are at it. 

The Academic Perspective 

Within the field of psychology, perfectionism is often broken down into two core ideas about how we strive for success and how we are concerned with failure. Researchers Martin Smith, Donald Saklofske, Gonggu Yan and Simon Sherry succinctly define perfectionist strivings and perfectionist concerns in their academic article about the interactions between these two psychological concepts. On one hand, perfectionistic strivings are defined as "ceaselessly and rigidly demanding perfection of the self." On the other hand, perfectionistic concerns are described as those "nagging self-doubts, excessive concerns over others’ expectations, and overly negative reactions to perceived failures." Perfectionist habits can of course vary and there is often plenty of overlap between what we strive for and what we fear losing. Which of these two ideas do you relate to more?

Researchers Jana Gäde, Karin Schermelleh-Engel, and Andreas Klein explain the dynamic further with their academic article about disentangling the commonalities of perfectionist strivings and concerns. Their collective research explores how "perfectionistic strivings are positively correlated with hope for success, whereas perfectionistic concerns are positively correlated with fear of failure." What they are essentially saying is that perfectionism can help us out when we are inspired and motivated to strive for excellence, but perfectionism can also hinder our success when we are overcome with fears of failure. 

Letting Go of Perfectionism 

What can you do when you notice perfectionism creeping in before a big exam or deadline? There are a number of useful and uplifting habits that you can build through intentional practice. The first thing that you can do is to be kind and generous with yourself. Try positive affirmations to give you a boost in confidence and remind yourself that everything will be okay. By thinking positively, you can actually rewire the pathways in your brain to focus on the good. You will end up feeling better and will be better able to make slow and steady progress.

On the day of your exam, try not to obsess over a single question or section. Move through the questions at a steady pace and you may find that the overall experience is more positive. This goes for studying too. When we obsess or fixate on a particular challenge or learning obstacle, we use up all our mental energy. Your focus and attention can be better put to use by thoughtfully demonstrating your knowledge and insight. 

Finding Your Optimal Environment 

How can you set yourself up for success in other ways? Finding a calm and secure environment for your proctored exam can make all the difference. Look for external proctoring services with an organization that has positive reviews and thorough safety and security guidelines, such as ATS. A professional atmosphere can help reduce the stress or anxiousness that often comes along with a perfectionist mindset.

Summary 

No one can undo years of perfectionism overnight, but having awareness and slowly building up positive habits will help you so much in the long run. When you are easier on yourself and let go of perfectionist concerns, you will ultimately do better on your exam. You will not be so wrapped up in the fear of failure, which will allow you to more comfortably and confidently go through the exam.

Written by CJ McGillivray