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If you live more than 100 km away from MSVU, you have two options for writing your midterm or final exam(s): on campus or with a proctor.

Students who are taking both online and on-campus courses in the same term must be available to write exams on campus and are not eligible to write with a proctor at any point during the term.

If you choose to obtain a proctor, it is your responsibility to arrange for a proctor who is acceptable to Mount Saint Vincent University.

Student Responsibilities:
Here are guidelines for students using a proctor for their exam:

  • Select a proctor for the exam.
  • Book your exam with your proctor for the date and time as indicated by your course instructor or final exam schedule.
  • Inform the proctor about the type of exam. They will need to know if exam is online or paper based.
  • Submit the Proctor Information Form as soon as possible.
  • If you need to switch to a new proctor or change the exam date, you will need to contact exams@msvu.ca for approval.
  • Confirm with the proctor before the scheduled exam to ensure they have all the necessary information.
  • Pay any fees required for the proctoring services.
  • In case of unexpected circumstances, contact exams@msvu.ca soon as possible.
  • You cannot write the exam on a different date or time unless you have special permission from the Registrar’s Office, by emailing exams@msvu.ca
  • If you have any questions, you can contact us via email: exams@msvu.ca or call 902-457-6382 between 8:30am and 4:30pm (AST/ADT), Monday to Friday.

Step 1: Finding a Proctor

Approved proctor sites are located at most accredited universities and colleges across Canada. Check the list of Approved Proctor Sites by Province to determine the most convenient location for you. This is not an all-inclusive list of proctors. Please check with your local university or college to see if they offer proctoring services.

You can find proctor services through most educational institutions; however, if this service is unavailable, proctors can be from the following categories of employment:

  • Lawyer
  • Accountant
  • University Professor
  • Doctor or Dentist
  • Director of Human Resources
  • School Principal/Teacher

Students outside of Canada: Students who are writing exams outside of Canada will require a proctor employed by a post-secondary institution. If a post-secondary institution is not available, a high school with a suitable invigilator, such as a teacher, will be considered.

A proctor cannot be a family member, relative, classmate, co-worker, immediate supervisor, or friend.

Step 2: Contact Your Proctor

Contact your proctor site to schedule the date and time of your mid-term or final exam(s). If your proctor is not available on the regularly scheduled date and time of your exam, you must contact exams@msvu.ca for special permission to schedule your exam on alternate date.

Please Note: You cannot write the exam on a different date or time unless you have special permission from the Registrar’s Office, by emailing exams@msvu.ca

Please be aware that university policy prohibits students from writing an exam before the regularly scheduled date and time. The rule regarding students not writing prior to the regularly scheduled date and time, is stated in the Undergraduate Academic Calendar, item 2.2.21. Examination Policy.

Step 3: Submit your Proctor Information Form

Once you have made contact with your proctor and booked your exam(s) for the date and time as indicated by your course instructor or course sullabus, complete the Proctor Information Form.  If you do not receive a confirmation email after submitting this online form, please email exams@msvu.ca immediately.

This information is needed so that we can arrange for the delivery of your exam to your proctor as well as for the return of the completed exam.

Please note: you will only receive personal contact from the Registrar’s Office if there is an issue with the proctor site you have selected.  Mount Saint Vincent University reserves the right to reject proctors it deems inappropriate.

FAQ's

Frequently asked questions:

Do I contact an approved proctor site or does your office?
Students are responsible for contacting and schdueling a proctor that is able to accommodate your exams. Once you have scheduled your exam(s) with your proctor, you are required to fill out our online Proctor Site Information Form. This form provides us with information needed to send your exam to you proctor. Students are responsible for any fees charged by the proctor.

Can I write before the exam date?
Under no circumstance may you write any proctored exam or test before the regularly scheduled date and time.

I’m going home for the holidays, can I write my final exam with a proctor?
On-campus students are not permitted to write with a proctor at any time during the term. Per Examination Policy (2.2.21 of the undergraduate Academic Calendar), students are cautioned to not make travel arrangements until exams are completed during the examination period as end of term travel plans are not a valid reason to miss an examination.

I live in a different time zone. Do I book the mid-term and/or examination in my local time zone or Halifax time zone?
All mid-terms and/or examinations must be written on the date and time stated in your syllabus in Atlantic Standard Time (Halifax time). No mid-term and/or examination can be written prior to the scheduled date and time. Proctors will return all mid-term and/or examinations not written as scheduled. If you are unable to write on the scheduled date or time, contact exams@msvu.ca

What if my proctor is not available on evenings or weekends?
We understand that not all proctor sites are available at the required time of writing. If you find yourself in this situation, please contact your proctor to find out what their next available time-slot would be and email exams@msvu.ca for special permission to write on an alternate date. Any change to an exam date and/or time must first be approved by our office.

Do I have to use the same proctor for all my exams?
It is expected that you will use the same proctor for the entire term. We understand that sometimes this is not possible. If you are not able to use the same proctor please email exams@msvu.ca with a brief explanation as to your situation.

Do I have to fill out the Proctor Information Form each term?
Yes, as this information does not carry over from term to term, you will be required to submit a new form each term.

I am registered with Accessibility Services. Can I use my approved accommodations at a proctor site?
Advise the proctor of your approved accomodations when you book the exam to ensure they can accomodate, and email exams@msvu.ca to let us know which accommodations you require for your exam.

I’m taking online courses and live nearby, may I still write with a proctor?
Only students living 100km or more from campus may write with a proctor. All other students are expected to come to campus to write their exams.

The proctor I would like to use is not listed on your website as an approved proctor site. Can I still use them?
Our approved proctor list contains the most commonly used and approved proctor sites; however, it does not include all approved proctor sites. If you’re wondering if the proctor site you would like to use is approved by the Mount, please email exams@msvu.ca

Still have questions? Please email us at exams@msvu.ca