Online examens

Oral exams
Written exams
Technical issues
Computer and internet connection
Privacy

Digital oral exams

Digital oral exams usually run through Microsoft Teams. Specific instructions on your oral exams will be communicated by your professors on Canvas. Please make sure to keep an eye on the notifications.

Microsoft Teams

Install MS Teams beforehand using this step-by-step plan (it's a free tool for all VUB students). 

A few important things:

  • Add your lecturer as a contact person, so you can see whether he/she is available, or still in conversation with the student before you (more info).
  • In most cases, you will receive an invitation for the oral exam in advance. You can participate directly on the day of the exam by clicking 'Join Microsoft Teams meeting' on the event in your calendar. If you received a link in advance, you can open the link at the time of the exam. Choose to open the meeting via MS Teams application.
  • The way in which the exam is organised depends on your lecturer. You will receive the necessary instructions from your lecturer beforehand. Keep an eye on Canvas for this.
  • Do you want to test MS Teams in advance? Check the tips in this video!

Digital written exams

Do you have digital exams? Discover more about the different forms of examination and how to participate.

Respondus LockDown Browser
 

Digital exams take place on campus, via your own computer. To avoid irregularities, these digital exams will be conducted via a 'Respondus Lockdown Browser'. This prevents other programmes or webpages to be opened temporarily while taking the exam.

Make sure to install Respondus before the exams start and test it out, in order to avoid any surprises during your exam. You can only install the browser using this link. Important: If you've installed LockDown Browser in the previous exam period, make sure to update it. Click in the taskbar in the top right corner on the information icon and click "check for the newer version". 

LockDown Browser doesn't work if you've installed a Virtual Machine. A Virtual Machine, like Bluestacks, makes sure you can use your mobile apps (such as Whatsapp) or other operating systems on your computer. You'll need to remove these in order to use LockDown Browser. Contact the ICT Helpdesk if you need help with this. Afterwards, make sure to test if LockDown Browser works via this test.

If you get the message that 'the app you're trying to install isn't verified by Microsoft', please check what to do here.

We strongly recommend you test the browser in plenty of time before the exam and report any technical problems without delay. The VUB cannot guarantee that it will be possible to immediately solve any technical problems which are only discovered at the moment of the exam. If you do not install the file, you will not be able to take the exam. This is equivalent to not sitting the exam. Students have the right to request a catch-up exam, in the case of absence due to force majeure. A catch-up exam may be organised if it is possible in terms of organisation. The examiner will decide on how it should be set up (Art. 111 OER).

Important: For digital exams you need your (smart)phone to log in via multifactor authentication. Make sure it's charged and don't forget to bring it for a digital exam on campus. After logging in you will be asked to turn the device off and put it away.

Tips & Tricks

Make sure you're prepared for your digital exam, by going over these notes:

  • It's really important that you install and test the tools to be used beforehand! Take part in the test moments and/or mock exams organised by the study programmes or set up your own test moments with fellow students. That way, you won’t be confronted by any unpleasant surprises on the day of the exam.
  • In the event of technical problems, contact the ICT Helpdesk asap.
  • For digital exams you need your (smart)phone to log in via multifactor authentication. Make sure it's charged and don't forget to bring it for a digital exam on campus.
  • Has your computer been on for a few hours? Make sure your computer is running smoothly and is up to date ahead of time.

Technical issues

Using technology to take exams, means technical issues are a possibility. Your laptop freezes or the wifi drops out. What do you do?

Interruption of the exam by the student due to a technical issue 

If technical problems arise, you should get in touch with the lecturer or supervisor immediately. In case the problem cannot be fixed right away, the lecturer can decide to go on with the exam in an alternative way.

Computer and internet connection

Your access to internet plays an important role when you are studying or taking exams. We try to help students with internet-issues or questions as much as we can. Check out the answers to your frequently asked questions about internet.

Digital exam without a decent laptop or internet connection.

If you do not have the necessary ICT infrastructure (laptop with webcam and microphone), contact Social Legal and Financial Support. They'll help you find a solution. 
Laptop and internet

Minimal computer requirements

We advise you to make sure your operating system is up-to-date. This is important for the operation of the software and for security of your laptop or desktop. Make sure your webbrowser is also up-to-date. Students who need to take a written exam with Respondus LockDown Browser will get information from their teachers and check the minimal computer requirements here.

Privacy and digital exams

Disclaimer*
Any reference to 'recording' is a reference to an audio and/or video recording. Recordings may be used only for the purpose for which they were made and by the persons for whom they are necessary (e.g. only the lecturers of that subject). In the context of the implementation of the contract between the VUB and you, the student, you must identify yourself before each exam, regardless of whether it is on campus or online.

In the context of the implementation of the contract between the VUB and you, the student, supervision will be possible for each exam, whether live on campus or live online, or by means of an automatic monitoring system with human review.

Recording an oral exam

If you want to record an oral exam, you must ask the explicit consent of the lecturer and all other persons who will be visible or heard in the recording (for example, in the case of a group presentation, all your fellow students must give their permission). You must tell them why you want to record the exam, how long the recording will be stored (preferably up to three months after the end of the academic year) and who will have access to the recording. The lecturer and students must give their consent in writing (by email). At the time of the exam, you must ask them to confirm their consent.

If your lecturer wants to record an oral exam, they must ask for your explicit consent. It's best to give this consent by way of an email so that there is tangible proof (particularly if you do not consent). The lecturer must indicate why they want to record the exam, who will view it and how long the recording will be stored. The normal storage time for this type of recording is up to three months after the end of the academic year. This is also the storage time for exams. This term will only be adjusted if an appeal is ongoing and the recording is needed for that process or if the lecturer has asked permission for the extension. We recommend that the lecturer asks you to explicitly confirm your consent at the beginning of the exam.

If you don't want the exam to be recorded and you see that the lecturer is going to record, make it clear to them that you do not want them to record the exam. You have the right to do so and it has absolutely no implications for you as a student or for your exam. It is also not a problem if you first gave your consent but have now changed your mind. Indicate this clearly to the lecturer. 

The teacher or supervisor(s) wants to monitor the students live via the webcam during the exam

If the lecturer organises an digital written or digital oral exam with written preparation, they may opt to supervise (or have supervision carried out) by way of the student's webcam. We expect from the lecturers that they notify students of this in plenty of time in advance.

  • If you, the student, object to the use of the camera in your home environment, we give you the opportunity of notifying us of that, stating your reasons, you can request an exam space on campus.
  • If you wait until just before the exam to indicate that you have a privacy problem, the lecturer will be unable to do anything other than mark you 'absent'. You should then lodge an official objection with the DPO (and not with the lecturer) at dpo@vub.be If this objection is accepted, you will be marked 'legitimately absent'. If this objection is not accepted, you will be marked 'absent without reason'.
  • If, during the exam, you indicate you have a privacy problem and stop the exam, the lecturer will make a note of this. You must then lodge an official objection with the DPO. The lecturer will mark the exam to the extent it has been completed.
     
The teacher or supervisor(s) wants to verify your identity via live webcam

At the start of the exam, the lecturer may ask you to switch on the webcam so they can check your identity live. The lecturer may also ask you to hold your student card up to the webcam. You may not refuse to do so. If you do refuse, you will not be allowed to start the exam and will be marked 'absent' for that exam. If you do not have your student card with you, you will have to identify yourself some other way (with an identity card, driver's licence...).