For our online exams, we run digital invigilation to ensure the Academic integrity of the online exams. If you have chosen to participate in ICB Online exams, there are a few technical settings and requirements that are compulsory.  



Contents of this document are:


1. General Technical requirements
2. External venue extra setup checks

3. Troubleshooting connectivity




1. General Technical requirements

  1. The exam can be taken at home, office or college, but the student must take the responsibility to ensure that unforeseen disruptions will not adversely impact them. 
  2. Booking for an online exam means that students agree that they have the listed requirements available at their disposal in order to participate in the ICB online exams.
  3. Technical Specifications are subject to change as processes are refined and updated after every exam session.
  4. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that all the listed specified technical and connection requirements are met. 
  5. Should a student still be disrupted and unable to complete the exam, they may only apply for a mitigating postponement for circumstances beyond the scope of the technical specifications. Please see the ICB Exam Postponement Policies for details.
  6. If a student completes an exam but has technical difficulties during the exam, these can be reported in the post-exam survey for the assessor to be aware of.  



In order to meet the requirements below you must match the following:


If you do not meet ALL of these, then you are not using the recommended specifications and will have issues on exam day.


TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS FOR ONLINE EXAMS

SPECIFICATIONS

Connection

Connectivity requirements

FIXED LINE 
Wired connectivity is required. This refers to a DSL/ADSL/Fibre connection where your device is connected directly to your router via network cable and you are using this connectivity for the exam.



WIRELESS: NOT RECOMMENDED 
*Wifi connections - the use of a wifi / wireless connection is not recommended as the network is not reliable. Used at your own risk

MOBILE DATA: CANNOT BE USED
*Mobile data connectivity of any kind cannot be used for online exam. This includes LTE connectivity. Used at your own risk



Click here for a more detailed explanation of network connections

Internet line speed

5 Mbps minimum download speed for the duration of the exam PER PERSON.  Do a speed test or Check in with your ISP if you are unsure of your speed. (ISP = Internet Service Provider)

Data requirementsAt least between 3 - 5 gb of data for the exam duration.

Device security / firewalls / permissions

The online exam requires access to camera / mic / pop-ups / screen sharing and 3rd party cookies. The browser, device  and network being used must have access to all of these.

Hardware

Desktop or Laptop

Fully charged if laptop - (Tablets and mobile phones are not permitted)

Screens

Only ONE screen allowed

Microphone

No headphones (Unless this is your only working mic). Must be enabled in both your browser and your device.

Webcam

1280x720 resolution. Must be enabled in both your browser and your device. Camera must show students full face clearly.

Ram

4GB   

Calculator   

Basic or Scientific calculator  (Not Financial)

Software

PC users

Windows 8 or 10

PC user browser

Chrome

  

Mac users

Mac OSX Sierra

Mac user  browser

Chrome 

   

Recommended scanning app

Adobe Scan 

Software 

MS Office - Word, PowerPoint, Excel   

PDF documents   

Must be capable of downloading and opening PDF documents. A PDF reader can be used   

OtherBrowser TabsAll non Macci tabs must be closed in your browser.
AppsAll apps on your device must be closed




2. If you are writing at an external venue e.g. work, library, college, etc. 


2.1 Connectivity (ie network speed)


  • The Technical Specifications for Connection, Hardware and Software must be met for each individual student writing an online exam. If the venue is unable to provide or confirm that these specifications can be met per student for the duration of a online exam, an alternative source must be found. 
  • Use the technical specifications table provided to confirm these with the external venue prior to writing the online exam. 


2.2 Network Access (3rd party blocks)

  • Some organisations block 3rd party access on devices and / or networks and this will not allow you to access the exam. 

  • The ICB is not able to remove any of these blocks for you but this will give you information to discuss with the IT department ahead of the exam. If they cannot resolve the issue, you will need to find alternatives for the exam.

  • You can run this check to ensure that there are no 3rd party blocks on the external device and/or network you will be using for the exam. Click Here>> Third Party Blocks




3. Connectivity Troubleshooting 


One of the biggest obstacles with Digital invigilation is maintaining the right level of connectivity to stream the exam. If you are having any issues with connectivity, these tips may help:

  1. Restart your device and router before the exam session.
  2. Double check that all other applications on your device are completely closed. Some of these run in the background and use bandwidth. (ie email, WhatApp etc)
  3. Close all other tabs in your browser.
  4. If you are at home, make sure no-one else in the house is using the connection during your exam session.


NB: Save this link: Instructions on how to do troubleshooting on exam day:  





Other resources:


Please remember to visit our help videos which will help you setup and prepare for the online exam.


Click below to access videos on YouTube