Online exam rules

⏰  At least 3 days before the exam, complete the Mandatory Equipment Check.

The Mandatory Equipment Check must be carried out on the same equipment on which you will subsequently take the exam. This will minimise the likelihood of technical problems on the day of the exam. The Mandatory Equipment Check is not evaluated in terms of compliance with exam rules; it only serves to check the readiness of your equipment.

If you do not complete the Mandatory Equipment Check 3 days before the exam, we cannot guarantee technical support during the exam. Three days before the exam is also the deadline for cancellation of the exam due to technical problems.

🧹  Carefully prepare your work surface and the room where you will take the exam.

Online exams are conducted under conditions comparable with face-to-face exams. You take the exam alone in a closed room and completely without assistance, in front of you is a completely empty desk and its immediate surroundings, and on it only the permitted items:

• computer with one monitor OR laptop,
• webcam and microphone,
• smartphone used as a second camera,
• keyboard and mouse*,
• ID document,
• drink,
• lamp,
• other permitted aids (e.g. phone stand, laptop pad).

* It is forbidden to use more than one keyboard, mouse, webcam or microphone. In the case of an external microphone, it must be a separate microphone – it is not allowed to use a microphone in conjunction with headphones, speakers, etc.

Ensure all permitted items are ready before the start of the initial checks.

 

📵  During the exam you must not have any electronic devices available other than those explicitly permitted by these rules.

 than those explicitly permitted by these rules.

• A smartphone must be used as a second camera (see below).
• Any other phones, smartwatches, tablets or other electronic devices that could be used to search for information or communicate are prohibited. They must be placed away from your work surface and have both sound and vibration turned off.

If necessary, you may use either the phone used as a second camera or another phone to contact customer support. 

• If you use another phone, after the call you must clearly put it away out of reach so that it is obvious you cannot use it further during the exam. 
• If you use the phone set up as the second camera, after the call you must reconnect and re-set it as the second camera.

 

🖱️  On the day of the exam, log in to ScioLink using the button on the invitation.

• Take the test in your Chrome user profile. Do not use Guest or Incognito profile.
• Enter the test at the official start time indicated in the invitation.
• At the beginning of each exam, ScioLink checks your webcam, microphone, internet connection speed and the disk space on your computer.
• After checking the minimum technical requirements , you will be prompted to install the Proctoring Desktop extension. This extension monitors running processes and devices on your computer. The extension must be running during the entire exam.

💳   Prepare your personal document (passport, ID in Latin script) and undergo an identity scan.

As with a face-to-face exam, we need to verify that you are taking the exam with your ID.

• Before the exam begins, you will be asked to take a photo of your face and ID and film your room.
• The photo of your face must be clear and the details on your ID card clearly legible.
• You can use your civil ID card, driving licence or passport.
• The app allows you to hide some parts of your ID or passport and save only

📱  Connect your smartphone as a second camera during the initial exam checks via the ScioLink application.

• The smartphone must have a working camera and internet connection.
• Place the phone horizontally against a stable object (e.g. stand, mug, pencil holder, flowerpot). Adjust the angle so that throughout the exam the computer screen, keyboard, both hands and chest are in the frame.
• If necessary, you may use the phone to contact customer support. After resolving the issue, reconnect and re-set the phone as the second camera.
• Keep the phone connected to a charger or power bank throughout the exam. Do not risk it shutting down.
• A detailed guide on setting up the phone as a second camera can be found in the FAQ – section Second Camera.

Tip: For best visibility throughout the exam, place the phone in an elevated position on a stable base, at least arm’s length away. Make sure the camera has a clear view, especially avoiding accidental covering by your hands

🎥  Slowly and clearly scan the entire room, including entrances, the work surface, and the space under the desk. Show on the main webcamera that you are not wearing headphones and that your wrists are empty. Check the scan.

• In order to prove that you are alone in the room, you need to turn the webcam around your room (360° view). You really need to take a picture of the whole room, not just a partial view. The exam must be taken in a closed room.
• The scan of the room must be complete and clear, including the entire work surface, the space under the desk and a peek behind any potential obstructions. Carefully film all entrances to the room as well. You can find how to do it here.
• Make sure that only permitted objects are on the work surface and in its immediate vicinity and that there are no prohibited objects in your field of vision.
• Scan the table and room slowly and clearly.
• If note papers are allowed on the test, show all the sheets on both sides to the camera to show that they are blank.
• After completing the room scan, show the camera that you are not wearing headphones (turn your head to both sides) and that your wrists are empty (show both hands clearly to prove you are not wearing any watches, bracelets, or other items).
• Always play back and review the recording; if necessary, you can redo the scan.
• You must enter the test itself within 30 minutes from starting the initial checks. If you encounter a technical or other serious problem during the initial checks, you must immediately address it and promptly contact Scio customer service. A late entry without such justification may be considered a violation of these rules and your result may be blocked.

🙍  You must remain fully visible in the cameras’ view at all times during the exam, including between individual test sections.

• You are required to be visible in the frame of both cameras throughout the exam. 
• In the main camera, you must be visible at least from head to chest; in the second camera, the monitor, keyboard, both hands and chest must be visible.
• Continuously monitor the previews from both cameras throughout the exam.
• You must sit at a table or desk for the exam. It is not allowed to take the exam, for example, from bed.
• It is forbidden to leave the view of either camera at any time during the exam, even between individual test sections. You may leave the view only to contact customer support, after which you must scan the room and work surface again, similar to the initial scan. Such situations will be reviewed.
• It is forbidden to leave the view of either camera after completing the room scan, even between its steps. The room scan consists of several consecutive steps (e.g. a 360° rotation around the room, scanning the workspace, etc.); remain visible in the frame of the main webcam between these steps.

🗨️  It is forbidden to communicate in any way with another person during the examination.

• No other person shall be in the room. If a person accidentally enters your room, you must ask them to leave and the record must show that the person has actually left the room.
• It is forbidden to have any communication with any other person in any way.
• No animals are allowed to roam freely in the room.

💻  During the exam, work with only one monitor, the Google Chrome browser and ScioLink application.

• It is forbidden to open any other browser windows or applications besides the ones required to take the exam. Their triggering is detected throughout the exam.
• It is forbidden to actively use touch monitors.
• It is forbidden to use more than one monitor, transmit images, or record the exam.
• It is forbidden to use text search (e.g. Ctrl+F) during the exam.
• It is forbidden to use any translator during the exam.
• If the live transcription function starts during listening, immediately disable it. If live transcription remains active, the exam may be blocked.

And don’t forget: you must take the exam properly, meaning by yourself, without any outside assistance and without using any unauthorized sources of information..

😟  If your result is blocked, you can request a review.

The result is always blocked if there is a violation of the Obligations of the NCE Participant or the Rules, as a result of which Scio cannot guarantee that the participant did not or could not gain an undue advantage over others.
Violations are detected especially by the online NCE recording, but also by other evaluation procedures (e.g. analysis of answers). Scio may also block the result if it cannot, beyond reasonable doubt, confirm from the recordings and other available data that the result was achieved properly.

The results of the National Comparative Examinations, as forwarded to faculties and used in the admission process, must meet strict criteria of correctness and comparability. Scio guarantees this to faculties and participants. If Scio cannot guarantee that a result meets these criteria, it cannot be used in admissions and will be blocked. 

In the Terms and Conditions this situation is described as an “Non-guaranteed result”.