Online proctoring information

About online proctoring

This online option gives candidates flexible exam start times and a convenient at-home writing location, and ensures all candidates have access to write certification exams. If you aren’t sure about writing your exam in an online proctoring environment, consider these elements of the online proctoring experience before you decide:

Technology: Candidates must meet Yardstick and ProctorU’s Online Proctoring Technical Requirements. Before you select online proctoring as an option, consider if your computer system meets the technology and system requirements necessary for online proctoring. There are no exceptions to these requirements.   

Exam environment: Candidates must write from an appropriate secure exam environment, see Preparing your exam environment for these requirements.

Privacy: Your entire exam session, including webcam, microphone, and computer screen, are recorded through the ProctorU interface. Your exam session and chat logs are recorded and maintained in their entirety by ProctorU. FP Canada will have access to review these items.

Be sure you choose a launch time in the time zone where you will be taking the exam.

Access your exam account 

If you register for online proctoring, you’ll receive an email from testingsupport@meazurelearning.com with instructions about how to access your exam account with Yardstick using your FP Canada ID number.  

• You’ll use your Yardstick account to access your exam, so you must record and remember your password to access the system on exam day
• Neither FP Canada nor its testing partners will be able to provide you with your password information on exam day
• If you forget your password on exam day you must reset it using the email address on file with Yardstick, so you must have access to your email account to reset your password
• When resetting your password, remember that the email address field is case sensitive
• Log in to the Yardstick platform ahead of exam day—at least 72 hours in advance of your scheduled exam time—to test your username and password

If you cannot access your Yardstick account on exam day, you will not be able to write your exam.  

Book your connection launch time 

Once you’ve logged in, you can book your connection launch time. The time you choose is not your exam start time. It’s the time you’ll begin the connection process. Your exam will begin after the connection process is complete.

• Select a time between 7:00 AM and 3:30 PM ET
• Connection times are in 10-minute increments
• The times are displayed according to the 24-hour clock
• Make sure you choose the time zone where you will be taking the exam
• This video provides an overview of the booking process

You can change your connection launch time until three weeks before your exam date by logging back onto the Yardstick platform.

Be sure you can meet the technology requirements  

To write your exam via online proctoring you must meet all the technology requirements. If you do not meet these requirements, you have the option to secure the appropriate equipment, write at an in-person test centre, or register for a future exam sitting. 

Your exam day computer must also be equipped with:  

• A functioning camera and microphone: You will require a web camera to scan your work area, and this can be on your laptop or a separate camera
• The Guardian Browser: install the Guardian Browser before your exam. Download the Guardian Secure Proctoring Browser:  
  • Windows Download  
  • Mac (Intel) Download  
  • Mac (M1) Download  
    • Need help identifying which Apple download to use? Read this support article to determine if you are on an Intel or M1 Mac
• A six-foot (minimum) extension cord: to allow flexibility in the placement of the computer and camera if the proctor determines that these items must be moved
• One monitor: ProctorU supports the use of one monitor only. You may either use a laptop computer with the built-in screen only or use a desktop computer with a separate monitor
  • Candidates who use two (or more) monitors will have to remove or cover any excess monitors beyond the one monitor allowed
• An appropriate operating system: ensure that your computer’s operating system is compatible with the exam day requirements
  • While online proctoring supports both Mac and Windows operating systems,  a Windows operating system on a Mac device via a virtual machine  cannot be supported 
  • The following systems cannot be supported: Google Chromebooks, tablets (Nexus, iPad, Tab, Note, etc.), smartphones, Linux operating systems, Surface RT and running inside any virtual machine, unlicensed/inactive versions of Windows and test builds/modes
  • Candidates whose operating systems have not been correctly activated (which can show as a watermark on the computer indicating that the system needs to be activated) will experience technical issues that will not allow the exam to proceed
    • Proctors are expected to stop a candidate from writing if the operating system is not correctly installed
• A stable internet connection: ensure your internet is both consistent and connected. Confirm your upload and download speeds are consistent and can be relied upon.  

FP Canada recommends hard wiring the internet connection to your computer rather than relying on a WIFI connection.  

• Candidates’ internet connection and bandwidth issues are the cause of most online proctoring technical issues

Before your exam, the following program types must be disabled on your device:  

• virtual machines, remote desktops, conference/messaging programs, screenshot or capture programs, and development environments
  • Having any of these programs may delay your exam start or prevent your access to the exam, because ProctorU identifies them as a threat to academic integrity
• Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are permissible
• Security software on personal computers that has settings like firewalls may also compromise your ability to use ProctorU 

Use a personal computer rather than a work or corporate computer 

FP Canada recommends that you write the exam using a personal computer.  

There are issues that arise when using corporate computers due to settings and firewalls, including technical issues that could impede your ability to load or complete your exam. These types of technical issues cannot always be resolved during the exam.  

When it is not possible to use a personal computer, and you must use a work or corporate computer that may have stringent security settings including firewalls, we recommend you consult your corporate IT department ahead of the scheduled exam to ensure that your exam day computer meets the necessary requirements beyond those already listed. Yardstick and ProctorU have created a guidance document for IT professionals to use for system assessments for work or corporate computers.

Test it out: Ensure your exam day computer meets all system requirements 

To get ready for your exam day, you must ensure that your computer meets the system requirements using the ProctorU Test It Out feature. You must do this before exam day. 

It is your responsibility to ensure that your computer meets the technical requirements for online proctoring. 

Test your computer’s capability by conducting a system check. This system check is available through the Yardstick platform after you have registered for online proctoring. 

• use the computer and internet connection you will use on exam day
• log in to your Yardstick exam account and click the Test It Out button
• the Test It Out system check will test your camera, computer settings (CPU usage, RAM, operating system, etc.), and your internet upload and download speed

You must test your exam day computer and personal internet connection before the exam date, and you should complete this testing multiple times as the test can change over time.

Use the Test It Out feature:

• at the time of exam registration
• prior to the close of registration
• the week before the exam to ensure your computer continues to meet the technology requirements

This automated equipment check does not guarantee your equipment’s functionality on exam day; unexpected issues may still arise.  

• For example, Test It Out cannot check if your operating system is valid/activated and you must write the exam with a valid/activated operating system. 
• Using the Test It Out feature will ensure the basic requirements of your equipment have been met but does not guarantee that technical issues may not arise during the exam administration. The Test It Out feature reviews a candidate’s computer’s technical specifications at one moment in time, as these may change, as well as the exam environment, unexpected issues may arise.  

Should you be unable to write your exam by failing to appropriately test your system using the Test-It-Out system check and if your system proves incompatible on exam day, you will be subject to the postponement polices and fees.

If you are unable to access your exam because you failed to complete the computer readiness check before your exam, FP Canada will deem that you failed to appear for your exam. Candidates who fail to appear for the examination will forfeit their examination fee.   

Your computer preparation checklist  

• Run a system check using the computer and network connection you will use on exam day. Retest your system’s capability on the morning of the exam. You can check your system through the Yardstick platform after you have registered for online proctoring
  • Once logged in, click Test It Out
• Download and install the Guardian Secure Proctoring Browser:  
  • Windows Download  
  • Mac (Intel) Download  
  • Mac (M1) Download  
• Need help identifying your which Apple download to use? Read this support article to determine if you are on an Intel or M1 Mac  
• Confirm that you can install programs on the computer you intend to use to write the exam on exam day. You will be required to install a personalized plug-in program upon connection to a proctor on exam day, but that download is not available in advance
• Disable your browser's pop-up blocker. Learn how to disable pop-ups in your browsers: 
  • Windows Setting Adjustments
  • MAC Setting Adjustments  
• Test your internet speed before your exam (separate from the Test It Out check) using the computer and network connection you will use on exam day. You are responsible to ensure your internet connection is stable. A hardwired connection is preferred; a wireless connection can be used, but can sometimes be unstable and may increase risk of disconnection during the exam. If you choose to use wireless, we recommend a speed of at least 10Mbps. Check your speed using one of the following tests:  
  • http://speedtest.googlefiber.net/  
  • http://beta.speedtest.net/  
  • https://fast.com  
• Ensure your webcam is connected, working, and can be moved to pan the exam room/environment at the proctor’s request.  
• Ensure your setup includes the use of only one monitor. If you regularly use more than one monitor, disconnect the secondary monitor and ensure it is turned around so that the screen is not facing you. If you choose to use a laptop, you must use the built-in screen to write the exam. A secondary monitor will not be permitted even if your laptop screen is closed and/or turned off.  
• Ensure the following types of programs are disabled on your device: virtual machines, remote desktops, conference/messaging programs, screenshot or capture programs, and development environments. Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are permissible. 

Technical issues during your exam 

Technical issues may occur when using the ProctorU platform, even when equipment testing has taken place before the exam.  

• About 10% of candidates encounter issues including dropped internet connections, non-functioning peripherals (such as microphones and cameras) and an inability to launch the exam.  
• Of these, less than 1% are not resolved promptly by the candidate’s proctor or with intervention by ProctorU technical support.  

FP Canada works directly with candidates who are unable to resolve their issue to find a solution that ideally will allow them to complete their exam within the exam administration period, such as rescheduling their exam to a later time or postponing their exam to the next administration.

You must ensure that your exam environment is quiet and free of distractions during your exam. Your proctor will assess and confirm the suitability of your environment. 

If you have trouble setting up your station, confirming preparedness, or connecting to the proctor, contact ProctorU directly before or during your exam. 

Your environment preparation checklist  

• a desktop or laptop computer with a monitor, webcam and microphone that fulfill the technical requirements, plugged in for the duration of the exam  
• an extension cord of at least six feet long to allow flexibility in the placement of the computer and camera if the proctor determines that these items must be moved  
• a cleared desk or tabletop. You will be asked to remove anything from their desk that is not permanently affixed or approved for the test  
• cleared areas beneath your desk and chair  
• cleared walls immediately behind and in front of where you will be seated  
• adequate lighting  
• other household members aware of the exam date and time, so they will remain quiet during the exam and not enter the exam room  
• noise limited from outside of the exam room (e.g., TV, conversation, music) so it doesn’t interfere with your ability to write the exam or the proctor’s ability to monitor the exam 
• landlines, non-required electronics, and any security or recording devices in the room are turned off and/or disconnected as appropriate  

Timing

Ensure your computer station is prepared 30 minutes before your scheduled connection time to reduce potential connection issues.

If you fail to log on in the first 30 minutes of your appointment time, you will be deemed a ‘no show’ candidate and will not be permitted to write the exam.

Once the onboarding process is complete and satisfactory, you will be permitted to access and begin your exam.

The first 15 minutes of the booked time will be for the onboarding process with your proctor. During busy times, the wait-time to connect to an onboarding associate or proctor may be extended to 20 to 30 minutes.

Your exam timer does not start until you have completed your onboarding. Stay connected should a delay occur – any onboarding delay will not impact the time allocated for exam writing. Onboarding time does not count towards your assessment time.

Secure onboarding process

To begin the secure onboarding process:

• at least 10 minutes before your scheduled connection time, log in to your account on the Yardstick platform
• at your scheduled connection time, your exam status will change from "Status" to "Start Session"
• click “Start Session” to connect to the session at your scheduled connection time
• when prompted to do so, download the personalized plug-in program that connects your proctor to you, and your screen, webcam and microphone
  • once downloaded, the program will appear in your download folder or default download location
  • if prompted, click “open” or “allow” to give permission to run the program
• you are now in the queue to connect to an online proctor
• while waiting for your proctor to connect, the system will prompt you to:
  • present your photo ID
  • review and/or confirm the exam name and rules
  • share your screen
  • review and agree to the terms of service
• You should then be connected to a live proctor (if not continue to wait). Once connected, your proctor will:
  • secure the physical exam environment using a six-point camera pan (four walls, desk and view of under the desk, standing away from the desk) with your webcam, and a monitor check using a reflective surface (mirror or cellphone selfie camera view) or webcam to ensure the physical computer is secure (no additional cables leaving the computer outside of the mouse, keyboard, ethernet and power cables, and no notes are posted on the computer)
  • secure the virtual exam environment (ensuring only the exam is open on your computer)
  • ask to see your cell phone and visually verify that it is placed out of your reach
    • the proctor will ask to see your cell phone even if you have already put it away or placed it in another room

• identify that unpermitted physical or electronic resources have been removed
• troubleshoot and solve technical issues as needed
• unlock access to the exam
  • this is when the exam timer will start
• watch you/your screen throughout the session
• investigate, note and stop suspicious behaviour and cheating
• assist with and/or verify exam submission
• provide reminders for timing and breaks
• your proctor may request additional camera pans during the exam if they suspect suspicious activity or if technical difficulties result in a disconnection between you and your proctor
  • suspicious activities include:
    • speaking aloud
    • frequently looking off-screen (other than for notes and calculations)
    • having another member of your household walk into the room or speak to you
  • technical difficulties include:
    • technical difficulties with your webcam or microphone (if either turns off or disconnects)
    • an unstable internet connection where you become disconnected from the proctor.
• ProctorU has protocols that proctors must follow and issues they are required to enforce. FP Canada supports these protocols and their enforcement. Proctor interruptions are usually brief and are considered a normal part of the exam administration. A candidate who may lose a few minutes time for these interruptions will not be granted additional time or be given policy exceptions after the exam administration.

In some circumstances where a candidate may experience a delayed launch (greater than one hour) due to technical issues that do not allow their exam to launch, FP Canada may provide options for rescheduling within the exam administration period. To be considered for these options, the candidate must contact FP Canada as soon as possible once the technical issue is resolved.

Breaks during the exam

You can only take the scheduled breaks between exam sections. No other breaks are permitted during the two-hour sections of the exam.

Scheduled breaks are:

QAFP^® EXAM

• There are no breaks for the QAFP exam

CFP^® EXAM

• a 15-minute break between sections 1 and 2
• a 15-minute break between sections 2 and 3

Once you submit a section of the exam, you will not be able to return to it, and the exam will advance to the next section when your break is over.

When you submit a section of your exam, the scheduled 15-minute break will begin, and a 20- minute timer will appear on your screen. The last five minutes of this time must be used to resecure your room before you begin the next part of the exam.

Once your break begins, you are permitted to leave your exam area to go the restroom or have a snack. You are not permitted to use your mobile phone in the exam room at this time.

The break can last up to 15 minutes, and you can return to your exam area when you are ready to begin the next section of your exam within the 15-minute break time.

You are not required to take the 15-minute break between sections and can choose to immediately proceed to the next section if you prefer.

You are not permitted to use your exam computer for any reason (including, but not limited to personal/business email, web searches, etc.) during the break, but your screen and camera connection must be maintained during this time.

If you choose to take the 15-minute break, your exam area will be resecured by the proctor before you proceed to the next section.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you are back from your break no later than 15 minutes after it begins.

After a total of 20 minutes has expired from the start of the break, the exam timer will automatically resume. If your break and time for re-securing your exam area extends beyond the 20-minute total (15-minute break and 5 minutes to resecure the area), time may be used from your exam time.

Additional time will not be granted if resecuring your room is required after your break has finished and the exam has been restarted.

It is your responsibility to connect with the proctor when you return from your break at the 15-minute mark.

• You can connect to the proctor using the chat function. Failure to connect with the proctor may result in a room re-secure that happens once your exam (and timer) has commenced. Additional time will not be granted if a resecuring of your room is required after your break has finished and the exam has been restarted.

Items not permitted

If you are writing your exam via online proctoring, you are not allowed to:

• wear a hat, coat, scarf, or bulky clothing and the proctor can ask you to remove such items
  • religious attire is permitted
• wear a watch
  • An ‘exam clock’ will be on the screen as part of the software
• wear earphones or headphones of any kind
• access or use any electronic devices that are not listed as required for the exam on you, or within reach
• access or use a communication device or any type of recording device, other than those listed as required for the exam
• have anything in your pockets. You may be asked to show that your pockets are empty
• refuse to move your computer or other objects, or to comply with other requests your proctor makes
• open other websites or programs and/or documents on your computer
• make notes on anything other than on the software platform’s note taking feature or the whiteboard (maximum size 8.5” x 11.0”) (at the end of the exam candidates will be asked to erase any notes on the whiteboard in clear view of the proctor)
• have anything on your desk or table, or within reach, other than what you are allowed to have on your desk

The proctor will perform a “person check” and ask you to remove any non-religious headwear, watches, including analog and smartwatches, and headphones and/or earphones.

This information is to help prepare work or corporate computers to be used to take an FP Canada certification exam with Yardstick and ProctorU.  

FP Canada recommends that you write the exam using a personal computer.  

There are issues that arise when using corporate computers due to settings and firewalls, including technical issues that could impede your ability to load or complete your exam. These types of technical issues cannot always be resolved during the exam.  

When it is not possible to use a personal computer, and you must use a work or corporate computer that may have stringent security settings including firewalls, we recommend you consult your corporate IT department ahead of the scheduled exam and provide them with this resource so that any necessary adjustments can be made to your exam day computer to ensure compliance with these requirements.  

Even after the steps outlined here are taken, technical issues could still arise from the use of corporate computers that delay or disable an exam sitting. FP Canada will work with ProctorU technical support to overcome any issues that may arise, but it may not always be possible to resolve them.  

Program types to disable  

The following program types should be disabled on computers to be used for online proctoring:  

• virtual machines  
• remote desktops 
• conference/messaging programs 
• screenshot or capture programs 
• development environments.  

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are permissible.  

Port/Protocol specifications  

These outbound protocols and ports are necessary for candidates to access the full spectrum of ProctorU services and components.  

• includes ProctorU’s Live/Classic and Live+ products  
• for more technical users and security administrators, these requests will be originating from the client computer accessing ProctorU systems so the Source will be your internal network/LAN
• the Destination will be a ProctorU system or a component
• since these systems are cloud-based and their IP may change, ProctorU strongly recommends opening these ports to all Destinations

Whitelisting and firewall configuration for LogMeIn products  

LogMeIn Rescue domains to be whitelisted  

• *.LogMeIn123.com  
• *.logmeinrescue.com  
• *.123rescue.com  
• *. logmeinrescue.eu  
• *.support.me  
• *.logmein-gateway.com  
• *.logmeinrescue-enterprise.com (Powers account-specific Rescue features, not required for standard accounts)  

Additional whitelist requirements  

Executables (for browsers and firewalls)  

OS X

• LMIGUIAgent 
• LogMeInGUI.app 
• Rescue\LogMeIn Menubar 
• Support-LogMeInRescue  
• LogMeInRescue 
• Guardian Browser  

PC  

• Support-LogMeInRescue.exe
• Support-LogMeInRescue(1).exe  
• Support-LogMeInRescue(2).exe  
• Support-LogMeInRescue(3).exe  
• Support-LogMeInRescue(4).exe 
• Support-LogMeInRescue(5).exe  
• Support-LogMeInRescue(6).exe  
• Support-LogMeInRescue(7).exe 
• Support-LogMeInRescue(8).exe  
• Support-LogMeInRescue(9).exe  
• Support-LogMeInRescue(10).exe  
• Support-LogMeInRescue[2].exe  
• Support-LogMeInRescue[3].exe  
• Support-LogMeInRescue[4].exe  
• Support-LogMeInRescue[5].exe  
• Support-LogMeInRescue[6].exe  
• Support-LogMeInRescue[7].exe  
• Support-LogMeInRescue[8].exe  
• Support-LogMeInRescue[9].exe  
• Support-LogMeInRescue[10].exe  
• Support-LogMeInRescue[11].exe  
• lmi_rescue.exe
• LMI_Rescue_srv.exe 
• LMIRescue.pkg 
• Guardian Browser.exe  

Further information can be found here: https://support.lastpass.com/help/whitelisting-and-firewall-configuration-for-logmein-products.