The Remote Proctoring Step by Step Guide, which was recently released by exam administrator ACER, provides remote exam candidates with information around how the proctoring process will work and how the personal information of candidates will be collected, stored and used.
With remote proctoring being conducted by US-based education technology firm ProctorU, the guide warns candidates that if they have concerns about their information being stored outside of Australia, they should not attempt the exam remotely.
The guide also details a seven step process candidates will need to follow in order to be able to sit the exam via remote proctoring, including registering for the exam via ACER, creating a ProctorU account, scheduling an exam session with ProctorU, completing a technical readiness check and reading ACER’s exam day information guide.
Candidates will need to receive an admission ticket from ACER before undergoing the exam remotely and have a copy of this handy during their proctoring session, as well as having a private room to take the exam in, a webcam, photo ID, writing materials and a mirror for remote proctors to see what is around a candidate’s computer.
Candidates who have already booked their exam session in person will be able to change to a remote proctoring service via the ACER registration process, however they will not be able to schedule their exam session with ProctorU until they have paid for their remote exam registration with ACER, the guide said.
The guide states that exam scheduling through ProctorU closes 72 hours before the exam start date, and that candidates will be charged an extra fee if they attempt to schedule at the last minute.
It also recommends candidates sit the exam on a personal computer, as those in public locations such as workplaces “may prevent the installation or running of the software needed for remote proctoring”, but that equipment tests before the exam may not detect these problems.
Candidates who do not pass the equipment checks can either choose another location to sit the exam and try the equipment test again, or postpone their exam until it is offered in a physical location, the guide said.
This is also the case for candidates who are unable to download the ACER online exam application, which is required to complete the test.
During the exam, if candidates experience technical difficulties that last longer than 30 minutes, they are advised to inform their proctor and ask for their session to be rescheduled.
The release of the guide comes following previous ifa reports around connectivity issues for some advisers in the course of the remote exam, as well as concerns from licensees around the ability of third parties to access candidates’ data.




Let’s hear from the dregs of the advice world, leaving it till the last moment and now whinging and still clasping for the smallest of hope. It’s like the Titanic sinking and hearing from those saying “we can make it”. I now pity those with perfectly good reasons for delaying being lumped with those that have delayed the journey to professionalism. The time for complaining ceased about 2 years ago, get over it.
Philipines huh! Thats under FULL LOCKDOWN from COVID. Banks processing & call centres are closed. How is it Proctor can do this. Then theres the language issue-most times I cannot understand them What a load of BS FASCEA
would you like some cheese with that whine…
Ive got my commodore 64 ready.
I’ll give you $100 for it…lol
I did a Procter exam recently for a Uni Course. It was initially a bit stressful in that i tested the equipment prior (audio, mic) and it didn’t work but was fixed, but then again on the exam day it again didn’t work, and I spent about half an hour trying to get my audio to work. So that was stressful. I was in the office by myself, but the operator requested i close my door. I was able to have a glass of water on my desk, but everything else on the desk, around the desk, under the desk, I had to take off. I used my laptop computer with a cam to show the operator around the room. I had some books on a bookshelf in the corner and they said that’s ok, but everything is supposed to be clean and clear. I had my watch on but was questioned about it and had to show them. The staff are all based in the Phillipines or Manila so English was not that smick. Also don’t pick your nose because you’re being recorded and watched, and no doubt that footage will turn up in five years time. Overall I would not be complaining. Hope that helps.
And yet another complete bumble by the over lords FASEA
What would you have them do Jim? FASEA are boxed in by what it says in the legislation. All the timelines were set by government and put in place before there there was any infrastructure, before there was a board, before there was a CEO or staff. Just a bare framework & tight deadlines. Perhaps you could’ve sat one of the earlier exams…
I’d add that the initial equipment test does NOT check for the number of screens you might have in your desk…but the final test they run moments before the exam does. At that stage it was discovered that I have three screens on my desk! The next 40 minutes were spent trying to reduce this down to one which proved beyond the abilities of the Proctor and so a number of programs that ‘might’ have allowed me to communicate with the outside world had to be uninstalled! Be warned…lol!
“and a mirror for remote proctors to see what is around a candidate’s computer”
Ok, so what is allowed around the computer and how big does the mirror need to be? Can I have mirrors on the ceiling or does it need to be a hand held mirror? Does the door to the room need to locked and if so, does it need to be locked from the outside or inside? Can I have a glass of water? What if the room has an en suite and I have an empty glass in the room? What if this room is my study and I have lots of Financial Planning material on the shelves?
The “onsite” exams definitely did not allow a glass of water. Any drinks had to be left at the front of the room, along with watches, wallets, & keys.
I don’t think having Financial Planning material on your shelves would be an issue. Not much of the exam is actually about financial planning.
Nothing on the desk or under it but the computer, keyboard, mouse,mouse mat, bottle of water (branding label peeled off) one pen, one piece of paper, video conferencing camera and sound unit. Phone had to go on the back shelf behind me which was full of financial planning books…had to clean all the whiteboards…