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Williams College is currently piloting Exam.net, a secure digital assessment platform. Exam.net allows instructors to conduct digital exams using students' personal devices while maintaining a secure, distraction-free environment to uphold academic integrity.
As an instructor, we encourage you to watch this short demo of Exam.Net from student and teacher perspective (ATS-created video, 4:40 - recommended watching at 1.5x or 2x speed) and engage with this guide, which covers the essentials for using the platform during our 1-year pilot.
Instructors: Getting Started with Exam.net
Exam.net is designed to be user-friendly with minimal technical overhead. Notably, students do not need accounts; you will simply provide them with a unique Exam Key to access your test.
1. Signing In
Exam.net is not integrated with GLOW. You will sign in directly using your Williams Google credentials.
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Go to Exam.net.
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Click Teacher Sign In and select Teacher sign in with Google.
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Select your Williams email address (e.g., abc1@williams.edu). For your first time logging in, enter the Williams website URL (https://www.williams.edu/) and verify your account via the email sent to your Williams inbox.
2. Creating and Configuring Exams
You can create auto-marked questions (multiple choice, short answer), essay-style free text prompts, or upload a PDF test. Use this guide for step-by-step details about creating your first exam.
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Lockdown Modes:
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Medium (Recommended): Uses the student’s standard web browser. It prevents copy/pasting and alerts you if a student attempts to leave the exam window.
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High: Requires students to download and install the Safe Exam Browser (SEB). Use this if you need to "whitelist" specific internet resources (like a YouTube video or online journal).
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Exam Status:
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Closed: The exam is in edit mode. You can change questions and configuration settings. Students cannot access.
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Open: The exam configuration is locked, and students entering can immediately begin the exam with the Exam Key.
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Discoverable: The exam configuration is locked, and students entering the exam will be held in a lobby until you open it.
- Scheduled: The exam configuration is locked, and students entering can begin the exam only after a date/time you specify.
3. Accommodations and Time Management
You can enable assistive features (like speech-to-text) globally or for specific students.
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Live Extensions: If you are actively proctoring, you can extend time for individual students "on the fly" while the exam is Open.
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Pre-emptive Extensions: If you are not actively proctoring, duplicate the exam, set a longer time limit, and provide that specific Exam Key only to the accommodated student(s).
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Please consult with the Office of Accessible Education (OAE) regarding testing center availability and accommodations.
4. Best Practice: The "Test Run"
Because students use their personal devices, administering a brief, low-stakes "test run" before your actual exam is critical. This ensures all students have the correct browser or app installed, know how to enter an Exam Key, and can successfully submit a test. Importantly, it gives students sufficient time to encounter, troubleshoot, and resolve any tech issues prior to the exam.
Additional Support & Resources