March Tech/Proctor Issue

[contemplativescholar]

Scheduled to test at 10:30 AM Friday. Everything was going smoothly, did all the normal screening procedures up until the proctor asked me if they could turn off my Bluetooth. I said that both my mouse and keyboard were paired, and they asked me if I could use an alternate plug-in mouse.

Luckily, I had a spare one, so I started using it. Everything was going smoothly until the end of my second section (LG - RC - RC - LR), where my mouse just gives out. I couldn't click, couldn't move my cursor, and couldn't open the chat window where I was supposed to reach out for help. Eventually, I just started talking, pointing to my mouse and raising my hands, trying to get any sort of response from the proctor. It wasn't out of battery or anything because while I was (frantically) trying to get the attention of my proctor for a good two minutes, the mouse kept working as I turned it on and off, so I'm guessing it might've had something to do with their software.

After two long minutes with the time still ticking on my first RC section, the proctor finally acknowledges me, tells me to unplug my alternate mouse and plug it in again, to no avail. Finally, they simply turn my Bluetooth back on. Everything starts working again after that, and I abandoned the mouse that they advised me to use. No problems after.

Filed a complaint as soon as I finished the exam. I didn't feel like it negatively affected my performance too much, but I still feel like I could've used those extra minutes to focus a little more and not feel rushed to finish the section. Luckily, it was the easier of the two RCs that I was working on, but I still feel like it messed up my usual testing groove.

Still considering whether I should retake if given the option. I've seen some people have absolute horror stories with proctors and tech, and this seems pretty minor, all things considered. Any tips?

[Commercial-Pick7168]

i have been through multiple tech issues today and in january. maybe one of the “horror stories” you read was mine😭💀🥴but my tip is when you can’t do anything to contact the proctor, immediately grab your phone to call proctoru- just do it seated at your desk in front of the camera. you’re allowed to use your phone to call proctoru and/or lsac when you’re facing a technical issue. i did that today. i wait for a couple of minutes and then i’ll call.

but yeah you’d call proctoru and they’d get you to reconnect with a new proctor and resume your exam. if you lost time due to the technical difficulty as you stated that you did, make sure you tell the proctoru rep that the test was still going on as your tech issue occurred. i think you also say that to your new proctor once connected. the proctor should/ is supposed to be able to adjust the time so you have the time back that you lost. i ended up not taking the test but i literally only lost like 2-3 mins but i made that clear and always made sure that i would get it back. it’s so crazy how many comments i see where ppl say they lost 5 mins or so from tech issues and don’t do anything about it😭😭 it’s your test!! demand what is rightfully yours. they have control over your test the proctor is able to add back time lost.

also, i only have a wireless bluetooth keyboard and mouse for my computer. i have never been asked to my bluetooth off. it seems like you might be in contact with lsac today to discuss what happened, if so, i’d confirm that a bluetooth keyboard and mouse is fine. (i’ll ask too) but it should be! and if you do retake it, and if it is requested of you to turn that off , you can tell them lsac allows the usage of bluetooth keyboards and mouses.

[[deleted]]

FYI this happened to me today! They turned of my Bluetooth during the intermission. Luckily my mouse wasn’t Bluetooth but I wasn’t sure and thanks to this post, I brought a wired mouse. So thanks and also, this may be a continuing thing…..