Supervised online exams

Supervised online exams are delivered online via an LMS-based system and supervised remotely.

Ensure you read all instructions on this page.

There is a lot of information contained below, but it is essential that you understand the requirements for each of your exams. Watch the Get Ready for Your Supervised Online Exams video below:

Preparing for supervised online exams at home

Sit your supervised online exam at home in a quiet, private room. You are not required to come to campus for supervised online exams. If you need help finding a quiet space or need assistance with exam equipment you can book a space on campus. Look out for your “Online supervised exam” email for more information on booking a space on campus.

Full details of all supervised online exam assessment tasks will be available on the subject LMS site, including specific instructions from the Subject Coordinator. It is important that you read these details for each of your subjects on the LMS site.

  • Familiarize yourself with the allowable materials for each exam which is listed on the subject LMS site.
  • You are responsible for ensuring you bring the correct allowed materials. Failure to bring the correct allowed materials is not grounds for a request for Special Consideration.

  • A quiet and well-lit room where you will not be disturbed during the exam.
  • The room should have good lighting (light must not shine directly on either camera).
  • If you do not have a quiet space or computer, you will need to follow instructions in the "Online supervised exam" email and book an appropriate space on campus.

Desk/table set-up

During the exam you may keep on your workspace/table:

  • a clear bottle of water
  • writing equipment such as pens, pencils, and erasers
  • blank A4 working sheets
  • any allowable materials as listed on LMS

Ensure your work area/table (including under the table) is clear of any materials not permitted by the exam guidelines. This includes any second monitors, TVs, smartwatches, headphones, or other electronic devices not allowed during the exam.

A primary device

  • You are permitted one screen either a desktop computer with a webcam or a laptop, with a microphone that meets the technical requirements to take the online exam.
  • The laptop must be plugged into a power source and connected to the internet for the duration of the exam.
  • Windows 8.1 or later/ macOS 10.11 or later
  • Good internet connection (3Mbps upload and download)

A secondary device

  • A mobile phone or an iPad, with a camera that is fully charged and plugged in for the duration of the exam.
  • It must be positioned landscape to show you in your workspace and your primary device
  • Mobile phones should be set to ‘Do Not Disturb’ mode during the exam.
  • Mobile phones should not be used for any other purpose during the exam

  • Ensure you can access the Internet and LMS prior to the commencement of the exam, including resolving any sanctions or technical issues that may block access to the LMS.
  • Your name in LMS should match your Student ID. A preferred name in LMS that does not match the name on your ID will delay the onboarding process.
  • Browsers supported for online supervised exams are Chrome, Firefox, and MS Edge.
  • Ensure you complete the practise test to minimise any delays in onboarding on the day of the exam.

A current La Trobe Student ID card is required to complete the Student Identity Check process [PDF 113KB] (when requested by the supervisor). Please refer to the information at Why you need photo ID for face-to-face exams.

  • Ensure there is a stable internet connection
  • Watch our Taking a practice test for your supervised online exam video and complete the practice test using a test exam in your subject LMS site
  • Ensure mobile devices have a working camera, microphone, and speaker to be used as the secondary camera device
  • Test both camera audio and video are working on your mobile device

Watch the Practice Test video

What to expect on the day of your exam

  • Log into your LMS 30 minutes prior to the start of your exam and begin the onboarding process
  • Position your mobile device in landscape (not portrait) orientation so the camera shows a clear view of yourself, your workspace and the computer. Refer to Setting Up a Secondary Camera [PDF 184KB] for instructions
  • Family and friends should be informed that an online exam is being held to ensure you will not be disturbed
  • Request that others in your home avoid bandwidth intensive activities like streaming movies whilst the exam is in progress
  • Ensure you have eaten, have access to water and attended to any comfort or personal needs (e.g. toilet break) prior to the exam commencing
  • Watches are to be removed and placed next to your ID card in view of the secondary camera. Smart watches must be placed in Airplane Mode and have notifications turned off

  • Ensure you follow and comply with reasonable requests from the online exam supervisor. Inappropriate language and behaviour towards the exam supervisor will not be tolerated.
  • Check the chatlog for any instructions communicated by the exam supervisor.
  • You must work alone and not communicate with any parties in any way during the exam, except with the online exam supervisor
  • You are permitted to take limited toilet breaks. If a toilet break is required, request permission from the exam supervisor using the chat function. No additional time will be added to your exam. You will have to do an ID verification process again when you return from the bathroom.
  • You should always be in view of the web camera during the exam.
  • Any suspicious behaviour will be flagged by the online exam supervisor and investigated further by the Exams team. This may result in an academic misconduct referral.
  • If you finish your exam early, contact the online exam supervisor using the chat function.

  • Exams being completed within the LMS Quiz function will be automatically submitted at the end of the exam time
  • If the exam requires submission to Turnitin, you must ensure you submit your exam prior to the end of the allotted exam time
  • Follow any instructions provided by the online exam supervisor
  • Do not leave the exam session until your exam has been submitted
  • For results and release dates refer to Grades and Results

Technical difficulties on the day of the exam

If you experience technical difficulties before you have started the onboarding process, Contact Student IT Support for real-time support.

If you are unable to contact Student IT, please log a support request online as soon as possible, noting the incident/reference number. This number will be needed if you apply for Special Consideration.

  • If your internet connection drops out or computer shuts down during an online exam, you should log back on and reconnect.
    Online exam supervisors may attempt to contact you by mobile phone if the connection drops out.
  • If you are unable to reconnect, take a screenshot of the problem/error message noting the progress state of the exam.
  • Contact Student IT Support regarding any technical issues for real-time support. If you are unable to contact Student IT, please log a support request online as soon as possible, noting the incident/reference number. This number will be needed if you apply for Special Consideration.
  • If possible, you should email your Subject Coordinator, attaching a screenshot showing the current state of the exam with a brief explanation of the problem that occurred. This will assist your Subject Coordinator to have a reliable record of when the problem occurred.

Special Consideration for supervised online exams

If you are unable to complete your exam due to technical or other unforeseen circumstances during the exam you can apply for Special Consideration. Your application should include any evidence of what happened during the exam, including screen shots of error messages, logged requests with Student IT support and evidence of the state of the exam at the time of any unforeseen circumstances.

You need to ensure you provide supporting evidence such as screenshots or emails and complete your application within five business days of the exam.

Recording of supervised online exams

Supervised online exams will be recorded in their entirety. This recording will include a personal ID verification process and for the duration of your exam.

The exam recording will be securely stored on a La Trobe University server for two years. The recording will be utilised solely to examine the academic integrity of the examination process.

More information