ONLINE INTRODUCTORY SOMMELIER EXAMINATION GUIDE

The online exam will be administered in a live proctored environment monitored via webcam.
We will utilize ProctorU to proctor your online exam. ProctorU is a service that monitors and
records your webcam view and your screen while you’re taking your exam online to ensure that
no one has any unfair advantages while testing. Using this service allows you the convenience
of testing from home or in a private room at the library. Review ProctorU’s terms of service and
privacy policy.

This document will walk you through the steps to take before your exam and what you can
expect from the launch process.
Contents:
1. Exam Requirements………………………………………………………………………………………………2
2. Exam Launch Process………………………………………………………………………………………...3-4
3. Exam Platform………………………………………………………………………………………………….5-11
4. Exam Regulations………………………………………………………………………………………………..12
5. Exam Scheduling………………………………………………………………………………………………….13

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 Exam Requirements
What you need to have before you to take your exam:
Personal o Review the Test-Taker Experience Video
o One form of a valid government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, passport, military ID, state ID). Please ensure that the name you
register under is the name that appears on your ID.
o Remove any non-religious head coverings, smart/sunglasses, earplugs/buds/headphones, watch.
o Please use the restroom prior to exam as there will be no breaks allowed during the exam.
Test Taking o Private, well-lit room with no one else around you
Area o A hard surface to work on
o Clear your workspace of all items except your ID and any permitted resources.
 Permitted (optional): pen/pencil, up to 2 sheets scratch paper, glass of water or water in unlabeled bottle.
 Unpermitted: all items (other than the permitted resources) including, but not limited to, electronic devices
(phone/watch/tablet), food, beverage industry related items/visual aids (books, pictures, posters, maps, service
equipment, bottles/cases, etc.) on display or in exam taking environment

Equipment o A desktop computer or laptop with a MacOS or Windows operating system; see specific version requirements supported for Live
& proctoring. (NOT supported: tablet, Chromebook or mobile device)
o No duplicate computer monitors; unplug any secondary monitors
Technology
o A strong internet connection
o A working webcam and microphone
o A mirror or cell phone with a front-facing "selfie" camera (only needed if webcam is not mobile enough to scan monitor)
o Download the Guardian Browser
o Close all third-party programs and make sure you have disabled or removed any other proctoring extensions
o IMPORTANT: High CPU/RAM usage will disrupt your exam
 CPU and RAM usage will fluctuate during the check-in and exam process. Ideally, keep CPU below 50% and RAM below 90%. If
usage exceeds 85% for CPU or 95% for RAM, your connection will be disrupted. Learn more about ProctorU's CPU/RAM requirements
 Close unnecessary applications/programs to free up resources. If needed, search online for “How to check and optimize
CPU/RAM usage" for tips on improving system performance.

 Review system requirements. If you do not meet the requirements, you will NOT be able to take the exam.
 After reviewing system requirements, TEST YOUR EQUIPMENT. If any of your equipment does not pass the check, click on the chat
box at the bottom right corner of that page. There you can speak with a representative to troubleshoot any issues. We suggest you
test your equipment prior to scheduling your exam, three days prior to your exam, and again an hour prior to your exam so they can
resolve any problems that may be detected.

Do you need special accommodations? If you require special testing accommodations, we will need to let ProctorU know. Please review our
Accommodations Policy and work with us prior to your exam to make sure your accommodations are noted in their system.
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 What Happens During the Exam Launch Process?
Review the following demonstration video: LIVE HUMAN PROCTORED LAUNCH. At the time of your exam,
you’ll log into your ProctorU account and be guided through a 10- to 15-minute start-up process that will verify
your identity, review the rules of your exam, and get you into your exam. Be sure to test your equipment before
test day to minimize the chance of technical issues. If you experience any technical issues during the start-up
process, ProctorU technicians will work with you until the problem is resolved. This time is not subtracted from
the time you’re allowed in your exam. In extreme cases when you cannot connect due to technical problems,
you may have to reschedule.

1. Log in to your ProctorU account 2-3 minutes before your scheduled appointment and click Start Session
when the countdown timer reaches 0:00:00.

2. Pre-checks: If you don’t already have the Guardian Browser, you’ll be prompted to download it. You’ll be
required to accept exam guidelines and terms of service. The browser will prompt you to share your
screen, a required part of being proctored online. You’ll be automatically guided through a series of
equipment checks to make sure your system meets minimum requirements.

3. Photos & Authentication: You’ll take a photo of yourself as well as your I.D. for identity verification
purposes.

4. Proctor Connection & Confirmations: Your proctor will greet you and confirm that you passed your
identity verification steps. You’ll review the exam rules with your proctor and they’ll ask to see any
permitted resources that your instructor has allowed you to use during your exam.

5. Remote System Check: Your proctor will ask to take remote control of your mouse and keyboard via the
LogMeIn Rescue applet in order to make sure no unpermitted programs are running. Your proctor may
need to disable the screen shot/display settings and close any open programs. If you’re on a Mac, your
proctor will turn off the ability to use your keyboard screenshot hotkeys. You will be able to see everything
that your proctor is doing during this step, and it is impossible for them to access any files without your
knowledge.

6. Camera Pan: Your proctor will ask you to show the 4 walls of your room as well as your desk space via
your webcam. You may be asked to show your computer monitor using a mirror or cellphone camera.
Your proctor will ask you to place your cell phone out of reach.

7. Navigating to the Exam: Your proctor will then direct you into your exam delivery system so that they can
unlock your exam.

8. Take Your Exam: Your proctor will release control of your computer and you’ll begin your exam when
you’re ready.

NOTE: Your webcam view and your screen will be recorded through the duration of your exam.

Steps to take when you’ve completed your exam:

1. Alert the proctor when finished BEFORE submitting: Prior to submitting your exam, let your proctor
know through the chat box that you’re finished. They will oversee the submission process. You may also
be required to tear up any scratch paper that was used during the exam.

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 2. Review results: Upon finishing the exam, your results will be displayed immediately. You may review for
as long as you’d like. You will also receive a copy of your results by email.

3. Log out of your exam site and browser: After reviewing your results, your proctor must observe you log
out of the exam website and close out of all browser tabs.

4. Close out of ProctorU chat box: This will end your session with ProctorU. Once the chat box closes, you’ll
be invited to complete a customer satisfaction survey.

5. Done: You’re done! Enjoy your day!

More questions? Please view ProctorU’s test-taker support FAQ

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 Exam Platform Instructions
Below are some brief instructions to review for your ease in using the examination platform. If they read at all
confusing, don’t fret. The system is very straightforward once you begin.

• You will have a maximum of 45 minutes to complete the 70 multiple-choice question examination:
Time begins when you click the "Begin Exam" button. There is a “Time Remaining” countdown in full
view at all times in the upper right-hand corner.
• To start the examination: click on the “Begin Exam” button.
• There is only one correct answer for each question.
• To choose an answer: click on the circle to the left of it.
• To progress to the next question: click on the “Next Question” button on the bottom right.
• You may return to any answered OR unanswered question(s) you would like to review: click the box
next to “Review Later” on the top right before progressing to the next question.
o Once you have answered your last question, you may click on the “Questions Marked for
Review” button to return to every question marked as such.
o The platform will remind you that you have questions marked for review with a prompt if you
try to submit without doing so.
• You may skip a question without answering it: click on the “Next Question” at any time.
o Once you have answered your last question, you may click on the “Questions Marked for
Review” button to return to every unanswered question.
o The platform will remind you that you have unanswered questions with a prompt if you try to
submit the examination without doing so.
• You may return to any question at any time and change an answer: click on the “Previous Question”
button on the bottom left until you arrive to the question. When you want to return to your previous
place, click on the “Next Question” until you arrive.
• Friendly hint: there are no negative points assigned for wrong answers – so, answer every question
even if it is just a guess! 25% chance is better than no chance, right?
• To end the examination: click on the “End Exam” button on the bottom right of the Question 70 page.
• BEFORE clicking Confirm to end your exam, alert your proctor, either through the chat box or
speaking to them through the microphone, that you’re finished.
Once you have ended your examination, you will receive your Results immediately! You will be given:

• Overall Score Percentage

• 10 Highest Category Score Percentages
• 10 Lowest Category Score Percentages
• A notice of Pass or No Pass

We will e-mail you this feedback in text form shortly thereafter.

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EXAM PLATFORM VISUAL

After student has been verified by ProctorU, the proctor will direct student into the exam. Below are visuals of
the exam delivery system.

1. Agreement Page

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2. Exam Information & Instructions Page

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3. First Question Page (one question per page)

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4. Last Question Page

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5. Questions Marked For Review

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5. End Page

Once you have ended your examination, results will be shown immediately. You will also receive results by
email. You will be given:

• Overall Score Percentage

• 10 Highest Category Score Percentages
• 10 Lowest Category Score Percentages
• A notice of Pass or No Pass

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 Exam Regulations: what am I not allowed to do during my exam?
To protect the integrity of this certification, we ask all students to abide by the following online examination
regulations. Failure to do so may render a student’s results invalid. Additionally, the Court of Master Sommeliers,
Americas reserves the right to permanently exclude students found guilty of misconduct from its future
programming. Please read thoroughly.

Your live proctor may intervene upon any actions or behaviors that are not allowed. Any violations will be flagged
and reviewed by your instructor/testing organization.

Area Exam Regulations do not allow the following:

Behavior Talking or whispering aloud (unless you have an approved accommodation)
Using an invalid or incorrect ID
Wearing non-religious head coverings, smart/sunglasses, earplugs/buds/headphones, watch
Utilizing materials that are not allowed
Attempting to record, reproduce, or copy/paste the content of the exam or to reveal the content to
others.
Taking notes, pictures, or screenshots during the exam.
Opening drawers or cupboards within the room
Leaving the room
Being out of camera view. Your face, chin to forehead, needs to be in camera view at all times
Looking off-screen for a prolonged period of time
Repetitive behavior; continuous abnormal eye movements to a specific area
Vaping/smoking
Test Taking Room is too dark
Area
Working on a soft surface (sofa, couch, bed, etc.)
Having beverage industry related items/visual aids (books, pictures, posters, maps, service equipment,
bottles/cases, etc.) on display or in exam taking environment
Notes around the room
Other people entering or being in the testing area
Other people talking to you while you're in the testing area.
Additional noises (music, audible alarms, audio prompts)
Labeled bottle of water
Equipment & Accessing computer applications or web pages
Technology
Using electronic devices (calculator/phone/tablet/watch)
Utilizing multiple monitors; you are only allowed to use one monitor attached to one computer during
your exam.
Utilizing a virtual machine
Webcam or microphone drops or lags during exam
Issues caused by use of unsupported technology
Internet drops during the exam. If you lose your internet connection during the exam, you have 5
minutes to log back into your ProctorU account and click “Restart.” You will have to go through the pre-
checks and get connected to a proctor before you can proceed where you left off. If you are unable to
reconnect, email info@mastersommeliers.org noting your issue to determine eligibility for reschedule.

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 Scheduling your exam
Upon registration, you will receive the following three emails from ProctorU (noreply@proctoru.com) to setup
your account and schedule your exam. Please check your spam folder if you do not see in your inbox. Be sure
to add noreply@proctoru.com to your safe sender list for future notifications. If you did not receive, email
info@mastersommeliers.org.

Email 1: Temporary Login Information – you will only receive this email if you do not have an account
already setup with ProctorU. Click the link within the email to login, complete setup of your
account, and reset your password.
Email 2: Pending Reservation – use the link within this email to schedule your exam.
Email 3: Schedule Exam Reminder – a reminder to schedule your exam before the end of the exam
window.

Important Note about Your Appointment Time

When scheduling your exam, please account for anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes to complete the startup
procedures in addition to the 45 minutes for the exam. This is the time it takes to verify your identity, secure
your environment, and get you into your exam. The startup process does not take any time away from the
time you’re allowed in your exam. Your exam timer does not start until you're actually in your exam.

You must take the exam on a Monday, Wednesday, or Saturday between 6:00 AM - 11:59 PM PT before
your course expirations date. We strongly recommend you schedule your exam as soon as possible so you get
a time that works well for your schedule and fits within the exam window. Availability is based on first come
first serve. Be sure to schedule your exam at least 72 hours in advance to avoid premium scheduling fees ($5-
$12).

If you need to reschedule your exam, login to your ProctorU account and click the "Reschedule" button next
to your reservation time. You can choose a new exam date/time as long as there is a date/time available that
falls within your exam window. There is a premium rescheduling fee ($5-$12) for rescheduling less than 72
hours before your reservation.

If you Cancel or No Show the exam, you will need to pay $125.00 rescheduling fee if you wish to take the
exam.

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