Online Test Taking

Online Test Taking

Online test taking is a very convenient, useful, and efficient way to take exams. It provides flexibility and access for students, simpler and automatic grading for professors, and utilizes technology to aid in the education process. However, as a student, there are certain things to keep in mind in order to successfully complete an online exam.

Notice: Skipping any one of these items could cause an exam to hang or crash, potentially impacting your exam grade. Be sure to follow all of the instructions!

Before You Begin:

  1. Set Aside Plenty of Time. Give yourself plenty of time to complete the assigned exam and do not wait until the last minute. This will give you the best opportunity to receive assistance and complete the exam before the deadline should you have the misfortune of experiencing an issue.
  2. Use a Wired Connection. The single biggest cause of exam failure or loss of progress is an unstable or dropped WiFi connection. If you do not have access to a wired ethernet connection at home, we suggest taking a test in a on a wired computer in one of USC’s many libraries or computer labs or at your work.
  3. Use a Recommended Browser. Firefox is the most compatible browser for Blackboard. If you do not have Firefox installed on your computer you can download it here.
  4. Close Extra Browser Windows and Tabs. Leave only Blackboard open in order to assure that you have the most bandwidth available and that you will not disrupt the test by accidentally clicking outside of the designated test area.
  5. Close Other Open Applications. Close any other open applications such as Microsoft Word or Adobe Reader which might drain computer resources and affect the performance of your browser.

Once the Exam has Started:

  1. Do Not Hit the Back Button. This disrupts the exam.
  2. Do Not Launch Browsers, Add Browser Tabs, or Open Other Applications During the Exam. If you leave Blackboard and attempt to return to the exam screen you risk the possibility of being locked out of the test.

What to do if you have trouble:

  1. Contact USC ITS Customer Support. USC ITS Customer Support is available around the clock at (213) 740-5555. Please give us a call if you have any concerns.
  2. Email your Instructor. While your instructor may not be able to immediately correct the issue it is important to inform your instructor that there was difficulty with the exam.