Invigilation is the same as proctoring.  Both terms refer to someone who watches you when you take tests to ensure it is done fairly and that there is no cheating.  This can be your instructor, or it may be someone else who watches over you while you write.  

What do you need to know?

You will want to read through your course outline, or any email, or communication that your instructor has sent you explaining how/where your exams will be taken and any other important information regarding your tests.  If anything is unclear, reach out to your instructor and ask.  Most exams will be either closed-book or open-book.  Here is the difference:

• Closed-book – this means that you cannot use any resources during your test except what is provided to you by the invigilator.  You will have to turn off your phone and have it put away in your bag and all other papers will also have to be put away, and your bag away from your desk.  When writing a closed-book test, it is best to only bring pencils, pens, erasers, etc unless otherwise told by your instructor – for math, physics, or chemistry, you may also need to bring a calculator.
• Open-book – this means that you can bring outside resources to the test, but make sure you know what you are allowed to bring with you – some open-book tests may restrict what it is you can bring along.

Always verify what you are allowed to bring to a test so there are no surprises!

Where do I take my exams?

This is up to your instructor, but most exams will be invigilated in person.  In-person means that you will be writing your test in a room with a real person (not online).  This is to prevent cheating which is extremely easy to do in an online environment.  

For evening self-directed classes:

• Your exams will all be in person during class time and invigilated by your instructor.  Check with your instructor if you are not sure if it is an open or closed-book exam.

For online, self-directed classes:

• Your exams are most likely in-person but can be taken at many locations:

Free options:

• At the Nanaimo campus as pre-arranged with your instructor, or a scheduled Friday exam day that happens every third Friday at 10 am
• At the Cowichan campus, pre-arranged with your instructor – your instructor will connect you with the person at Cowichan invigilating the exams
• At the tiwšɛmawtxʷ campus (Powell River), pre-arranged with your instructor – your instructor will connect you with the person at tiwšɛmawtxʷ invigilating the exams.
• If you don’t live near a campus:  speak with your instructor about other possible ways to arrange an in-person invigilator – for some courses, there are other options – but this will depend on the subject.
• Online testing – for most subjects, online testing is not an option due to the potential to cheat.  This would be done using ‘Teams’, and the invigilation would be done online. 

Costs money:  if possible, your instructor will work with you to try and come up with a free option, but if none are available, students have used the following:

• Other institutions – other colleges and universities usually have invigilation services.  If you live near a college or university, check it out – be aware that these are often very costly.
• Public Libraries – most public libraries offer invigilation services, often through their Reference Desk.  This option often costs around $30/test – check with your local Public Library to see if this is an option.
• Tutors – some students have used their tutors to invigilate their tests, as long as the tutor is willing.  The cost would be whatever you and your tutor work out.