Examinations with Zoom
Frequently asked questions and answers for teachers/examiners who are conducting an exam with Zoom.
Can I use Zoom in the examination?
(Last reviewed February 23, 2023)
Zoom presence may be used when it is considered by the examiner to be a suitable method. Note, however, that there is a difference between examining with Zoom Presence and Zoom Monitoring . It is only permitted to use monitored exams in Zoom at impact level high and after an exemption procedure according to the scenario planning. Written remote examination with camera surveillance may be used in exceptional cases and must be justified for both pedagogical and practical reasons.
When examining remotely with Zoom presence, the student writes an exam in any undisturbed place while at the same time being available on Zoom for communication with the examiner or the teacher on duty. The method of remote examination with Zoom presence can be seen as a form of home examination where the examiner can follow and authenticate the students' ongoing work through a follow-up meeting that takes place during the examination, to, for example, counteract cheating and offer students an alternative method to develop their answers.
Read more about Examination with Zoom .
What do I as an examiner have to do to implement exams that are to be using Zoom?
(Last reviewed February 23, 2023)
The process, roles and responsibilities are described on the pages Examination with Zoom .
How do I avoid common problems with Zoom and examination?
(Last reviewed February 23, 2023)
The most common problem with exams using Zoom is that students cannot log in. It is therefore important to create a practice opportunity or to ask students to try to log in to Zoom, well before the exam day so that the IT support can help them gain access. Access to Zoom is assigned to the students' account before each exam separately, so they need to try to log in to Zoom with their KTH login before each exam.
Why are students recommended to use Zoom on the mobile phone?
(Last reviewed February 23, 2023)
It is nearly impossible for a web camera in a laptop to focus on the ID document, so the invigilator can’t read the personal identity number. Several tests have been made and mobile phones yield the best quality pictures, and therefore they are recommended.
How do we deal with late arrivals?
(Last reviewed February 23, 2023)
Late arrivals are usually not handled at examination with Zoom. Students arrive on time for the exam or do not participate in the exam.
How do we deal with bathroom breaks during remote examinations with Zoom?
(Last reviewed February 23, 2023)
During an exam with Zoom presence, the student informs the meeting host that they will deviate from the camera for a short time so that time for the absence can be noted.
The recommendation for a monitored exam with Zoom is to divide the exam into smaller parts, with predetermined breaks, and having the students hand in their answers after each part is done.
Should students with a normal writing time sit through the duration of the ordinary writing time?
(Last reviewed February 23, 2023)
It depends on the design of the exam wording. If students stay in the Zoom session throughout the writing period, it can counteract unauthorized cooperation between students. If the examination wording is designed so that the students can finish whenever they want, it is preferable.
Do I have to monitor the exam with Zoom?
(Last reviewed February 23, 2023)
As the examiner, you are quite free to decide how the exam should be designed. The recommendation is mainly to examine in forms that do not use Zoom. Ask your Director of First and Second Cycle Education (GA) if you are unsure about your alternative or adjusted examination. Under the intranet pages about Examination , you will find information and tips on different forms of examination.
Does Zoom surveillance really work?
(Last reviewed February 23, 2023)
No. Zoom mostly contributes to a good contact between examiner and students. However, Zoom is used for monitoring at several universities around the world, as it is deemed to work well enough to be used for emergency replacement of proctored campus exams. The recommendation is to instead use Zoom for exams with Zoom presence, where you can follow that the students work with the exam assignments. Read more about exams with Zoom presence on the pages under Examination with Zoom presence .
Zoom and GDPR, what applies?
(Last reviewed February 23, 2023)
Information regarding Zoom and GDPR can be found on the following link:
Zoom and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
What happens if the student does not participate in Zoom but still hands in the exam?
(Last reviewed February 23, 2023)
Students that do not participate in Zoom but still hand in their exam shall not be graded. The exam is deemed to not have been completed correctly. It is important that the teacher compares the list of attendants with the handed in exams.
How do I know if I have the latest Zoom version?
(Last reviewed February 23, 2023)
Follow the instructions to see the latest version on the page: Zoom: download and install .
How do I update Zoom?
(Last reviewed February 23, 2023)
KTH platform computers (KTH Windows, KTH Mac and KTH Ubuntu) are updated automatically.
If you are on an external computer, follow the instructions on the page: Zoom: download and install .
If the students are having technical difficulties?
(Last reviewed February 23, 2023)
Should the technology fail, the examiner can deem the examination invalid. In cases where the examiner deems the exam or parts of it invalid, the students should quickly be offered a re-exam date within a reasonable time. The examiner can call students at random during the assessment and inquire about their answers as part of the examination. In case of smaller technical difficulties, it is more likely that the examiner would call the students and check their knowledge.
Even if there are technical difficulties, the students are advised to try to reconnect to Zoom and finish the question(s) if possible. It is then possible to pass the student, possibly with supplementary questions.
If the students are having technical difficulties, this in combination with the deviation report from the invigilator or other circumstances that the examiner may notice during assessment, may form the basis for a report of an attempt of misleading in combination.