Inspera Exam Portal FAQs for off-campus exams
Why has UQ selected Inspera for online supervised exams?
Inspera Assessment has been used for assessment at UQ since 2020 after being selected as the preferred university-wide digital system following an extensive market research process. Inspera Assessment has been successfully used on-campus supervised exams at UQ, and Inspera Exam Portal builds upon UQ’s digital capability to allow off-campus students to also complete supervised exams.
Many courses at UQ are accredited by bodies that require that a portion of the assessment is supervised. Due to large numbers of students being off shore, supervision needs to be provided remotely.
Supervised examinations also reduce potential inequities that may arise in the assessment process by enabling a consistent approach and access to resources for all students enrolled in the course.
Will my exam be supervised in real time by a live supervisor?
No. Inspera Exam Portal only takes a video recording of your exam session, which will only be reviewed by UQ staff and only if there is a need for review.
I don’t feel comfortable with the thought of somebody being able to see my personal space. What can I do?
If you don't feel comfortable with the room you are sitting in being recorded, the following options are available to you:
- We recommend that you select a neutral space in which to do the exam and also have the webcam face a blank wall behind you.
- Provided that you comply with Government COVID-19 restrictions, you could take the exam outside of your place of residence in a location with suitable space and adequate Internet service where you can complete the exam without interruption. You will need to ensure ambient noise is minimal and that your computer webcam is not viewing other people.
- If you would like to undertake your online supervised exam on campus, you must book a space.
What events are flagged for review during the examination process?
The whole exam-taking process is recorded and can be reviewed by your school’s Academic Integrity Office. You are expected to stay sitting at your computer and complete the exam with your face visible at all times. The kinds of events that will be flagged are:
- Fully or partially covering your face (for example, leaning on your hands)
- Talking or making other loud noises
- Covering or disconnecting your camera
- Disconnecting your microphone
- Leaving your computer or disappearing from the view of the camera
- Closing Inspera Exam Portal before submitting your exam
- Additional people being present in the room.
Note that the flagging of events does not immediately indicate academic misconduct in the same way text matching tools (like Turnitin) do not immediately indicate plagiarism. Any suspected breaches of academic integrity will be reviewed under the UQ Student Integrity and Misconduct policy (https://ppl.app.uq.edu.au/content/3.60.04-student-integrity-and-misconduct). Incidents are investigated under usual UQ procedures, in the same way that an incident report from a pen and paper exam is investigated.
Will Inspera Exam Portal determine when a student has committed academic misconduct?
Inspera Exam Portal flags certain events (listed above) that occurred during the examination process. Inspera Exam Portal does not make any allegations regarding misconduct. The report provided to UQ will assist in identifying recordings of examinations to review, but only UQ staff can make a decision about whether to make an allegation of academic misconduct and initiate appropriate academic misconduct proceedings. This is the same process for on-campus exams where information is provided by Examinations to Academic Integrity Officers.
Note that the flagging of events does not immediately indicate academic misconduct in the same way text matching tools (like Turnitin) do not immediately indicate plagiarism. Any suspected breaches of academic integrity will be reviewed under the UQ Student Integrity and Misconduct policy (https://ppl.app.uq.edu.au/content/3.60.04-student-integrity-and-misconduct). Incidents are investigated under usual UQ procedures, in the same way that an incident report from a pen and paper exam is investigated.
I am undertaking my studies from another country and don’t have a student ID card. What should I use?
You will need to present your University of Queensland student ID, or if you do not have one, a government-issued photo ID with your photograph and name on it. For example, overseas students who have never picked up their UQ student ID should use their passport or similar photographic identification.
Who will be able to access examination data?
Only certain UQ staff members with access to your exam (typically your course coordinator and support staff) will be able to see your examination data.
How is my data stored and for how long?
Inspera Exam Portal only records your exam session for the duration of the exam, and you are welcome to uninstall the software once you have completed all exams that will require it.
Inspera Exam Portal session data (screen recording, webcam audio/video, images (photo and ID) and text log files) are stored on encrypted servers. Unless there is an issue with the student’s identity match, the student ID data is deleted 365 days after your exam.
UQ's contract with Inspera does not allow for the on-selling or commercialisation of student data. Only UQ staff with roles in the management of academic integrity will have access to the data for the purposes of maintaining academic integrity. Inspera staff may only be granted access when technical support is requested. The data will not be provided to any other parties for any purpose.
All examination data will be deleted after a period of 12 months in accordance with UQ policy, which is the same data retention period as for traditional on-campus exams, with the exemption of data that UQ may need to retain in relation to disputes or to ensure compliance with applicable laws.
Can I use a mobile phone during the exam?
No. You must complete your exam using a computer and not refer to your mobile phone. It should be switched off or set to silent. The only times you may use your mobile phone are for:
- Multifactor authentication (MFA) when logging into your exam
- Calling AskUs and/or taking photos of your screen if you need technical support
- Using the personal hotspot on your phone for Internet access if all other Internet connection options are unavailable
In all instances, the phone should only be touched when required, then put into silent mode and placed face down on the floor beneath your desk.
Can I use my personal hotspot?
If you have exhausted all other Internet connection options and still cannot get a stable connection, you may use your mobile phone’s personal hotspot, provided that your hotspot allows a stable Internet connection. The phone should only be touched at the beginning of your session for this purpose, then put into silent mode and placed face down on the floor beneath your desk.
Can I use a printer during the exam?
No.
Can I download or save my exam?
No.
Can I use an online dictionary, textbook or other resources?
Your course coordinator will post an Exam Information Sheet on your Learn.UQ (Blackboard) course site in advance of your exam. Please consult this Exam Information Sheet to determine what materials are permitted in your exam. If you are permitted to refer to supporting materials during the exam, remember that you must not communicate with anyone or copy and paste the exam into any external websites.
Can I use earmuffs or earplugs to block out external sounds during my exam?
If you are concerned about noise disturbances during your exam, it is recommended that you use small, in-ear plugs only. Earmuffs may alter the shape of your face, making you unrecognisable to the camera.
Can I use headphones or earphones during my exam?
No. If your exam contains audio content, you should find a quiet place away from others where you can sit the exam and use your computer’s speaker to hear the audio content. Headphones are not advised as they may alter the shape of your face, making you unrecognisable to the camera.
I don’t have a laptop. Can I borrow one for my exam?
If you don’t have access to a suitable device for your studies or the Inspera Assessment, you may be able to:
- Get a short-term laptop loan (ranging from 1 week to a whole semester)
- Apply to receive a free, new laptop via the Student Laptop Scheme. All applications are assessed based on individual financial circumstances.
- Use an on-campus exam venue (see FAQ, ‘I would prefer not to use my personal computer to sit my Inspera exam. Is it possible to use University equipment?’ below).
I don’t have a webcam. Can I borrow one for my exam?
If you do not have access to a webcam for your online exam, please contact the Diversity, Disability and Inclusion team, who are available to help students access the equipment they need to succeed in their study.
- Phone: + 61 (07) 3365 1704
- Email: inclusion@uq.edu.au.
I would prefer not to use my personal computer to sit my Inspera exam. Is it possible to use University equipment?
If you would like to take your online supervised exam on campus, you must book a space. When booking a booth, ensure that the booking time aligns with your scheduled exam time.
About the venue and the exam booths
The UQ Centre has been configured to be COVID safe. The room is organised into individual 2 metre by 2 metre exam booths, each surrounded by a 2.5-metre-tall screen. There are wide aisles, one-way walkways and hand sanitiser available. See the UQ Centre floorplan.
The booths are sanitised after every use. You can also clean the booth using one of the self-service cleaning stations.
Exam booths have a desk, chair, light, and either a UQ computer or a power point for your own laptop.
Exam booth computers have the sound muted so as not to disturb other students in the area.
Book an exam booth
To book an exam booth, have your personal exam timetable handy and the start time of your exam. You'll need to make a separate booking for each of your Online Supervised exams.
- Complete the Book an exam booth in the UQ Centre form. Enter the details for your exam. Indicate whether you are bringing your own device or need a booth with a UQ computer.
- Submit the form.
- You'll be sent to UQ BookIT. Log in UQ Single Sign-On (SSO) student ID and password.
- Select a booth. Don't adjust the date or times – they've been prefilled for you and include additional time to get set up and complete your exam.
- Add your course code to the booking title.
- Click Book.
- You'll receive a booking confirmation email.
Adjust or cancel a booking
If your booking is incorrect, or your circumstances change, you can cancel your exam booth booking in the 'My Bookings' section in UQ Book It (https://support.my.uq.edu.au/rd1=AvNe~wopDv8S~yn3GuVi~yKZMusoXy77Mv98~z7~Pv_1&2=25917).
To adjust an incorrect booking, we recommend that you cancel the booking and then use the Book an exam booth in the UQ Centre form (http://www.library.uq.edu.au/book-exam-booth/) to find another booth.
Get booking help
The UQ Library are providing online exam technical support for students and can assist you with booking an exam booth. Contact the Library for assistance.
Can I use a secondary device (laptop, tablet, phone, desktop computer, etc) during my exam?
No. If you have an open book exam, resources will need to either be in hard copy or provided electronically on the same device on which you’re sitting the exam.
You may only use a mobile phone during the exam for the reasons listed above under “Can I use a mobile phone during the exam?”
Who do I contact if I have technical problems during my online supervised exam?
If you have technical difficulties during your examination process, do your best to keep calm and reach out for help via the channel listed below. UQ will help you to resolve any technical issues as quickly as possible.
Support for computer technical difficulties
If you are experiencing technical problems during the exam, follow any on-screen advice provided within Inspera. Do not close your browser. Contact AskUs on +61 7 3335 7047 (or https://web.library.uq.edu.au/contact-us).
Technological issues that can’t be resolved during the exam
If your problem can’t be resolved during the exam you can apply for a deferred exam via the deferred examination process. Take photos of your screen including the error message or issue and the time and date on your computer screen.
UQ Library will have dedicated exam support available throughout the examinations period.
What happens if I have technical problems that prevent me from completing the exam?
If your computer meets the Inspera Exam Portal guidelines, it is unlikely that you will encounter issues that will affect your ability to undertake your online exam. In the event that you encounter difficulties in the examination process, please see the FAQ: Who do I contact if I have technical problems during my online supervised exam?
Course Coordinators have set the duration for online supervised exams to allow you to complete the exam in an online environment. An allowance has been made to your exam window to factor in delays to your exam starting due to technical difficulties that may arise. Your exam timetable will show the duration of the exam. You should plan to complete your exam within this time.
Please provide evidence such as a screenshot to support your application. You should also ask for an email (or transcript of any online chat) documenting any technical advice provided to support your request for a deferred exam.
I use multiple monitors. Can I use these during the online supervised exam?
No. Inspera Exam Portal does not support the use of multiple monitors during an online supervised exam. You must disconnect your additional monitor(s).
Will I have to disable firewalls and anti-virus software in order to sit my online supervised exam?
You will not be required to disable any firewall or antivirus software to undertake an online supervised exam with Inspera Exam Portal.
I have an Alternative Exam Arrangement (AEA). Can this be accommodated?
If you have exam adjustments approved through Diversity, Disability and Inclusion (DDI), you need to notify Central Examinations of any upcoming exams that you'll require accommodations for in advance of exam week.
Most exam accommodations, such as extra time and rest breaks, can be implemented for supervised sessions. If applicable, extra working time and rest breaks will be combined, and it will be the student’s responsibility to manage their extra time accordingly. Where adjustments may not be possible, the student and DDI Adviser will work with the course coordinator to find a suitable alternative. Learn more about alternative exam arrangements.
Also see how to confirm your extra time in Inspera online exams.
Where can I check my exam time and duration?
Your personal exam timetable is the first place to start. If you have been approved for an Alternative Exam Arrangement (AEA) and want to check that this has been applied to your Inspera exam, please follow the instructions at https://web.library.uq.edu.au/library-services/it/learnuq-blackboard-help/inspera-assessment/your-assessments-inspera.
If you log into Inspera Exam Portal and select your exam, you may notice a time window displayed as below:
Note: the time shown here is the full exam window, including a 30-minute buffer time for getting logged in and completing the mandatory system checks and invigilation checks in Inspera Exam Portal. This does not mean you have additional working time. Your personal exam timer starts counting down when you commence the exam and will reflect the duration of the exam shown on your exam timetable.
Can I take a toilet break during my online exam?
As with an on-campus supervised exam, we recommend that you have eaten, have access to water and have gone to the bathroom before you start your exam. When you leave the view of the camera, this event will be flagged in the recording of your exam. You should therefore announce to the camera verbally that you are leaving for a bathroom break so the reviewer can better understand why the event was flagged in the recording.
As leaving the exam space does break the continuity of the exam process we request you limit these breaks. As in on-campus exams, no additional working time is provided for toilet breaks. If you have a medical condition requiring frequent breaks please consult a Diversity, Disability and Inclusion Adviser at Student Services prior to your exam, with an accompanying medical certificate.
I am worried that my Internet connection is not stable enough to sit the Inspera exam. Can I come to campus and use the Wi-Fi?
If you are worried that your Internet connection will prevent you from completing your online exam using Inspera Exam Portal, the following options are available to you:
- You could consider using a library or other quiet space with a stable Internet connection available.
- You could consider using the personal hotspot on your phone.
- If you would like to undertake your online supervised exam on campus, you must book a space and use this information to help you prepare for exam day.
- You may take the exam in any location that meets the criteria. It must be a quiet place where the ambient noise is minimal, you will not be disturbed and other people will not come into the webcam view.
Can I have two sessions of Inspera Exam Portal running at the same time?
No, you are only allowed to run one session at a time.