Overview
Taking a proctored assessment with Questionmark and Talview is designed to be straightforward. This article walks you through everything you need to know — from booking your appointment to submitting your exam — and answers the questions you're most likely to have along the way.
Before you read on, there are two things that are essential to know:
⚠️ You must test the exam software before exam day. Completing the 'Test It Out' session in advance is the single most important thing you can do to ensure your exam goes smoothly. It confirms your device is compatible, lets you experience the process before it counts, and gives you time to fix any issues.
⚠️ On exam day, you must launch your assessment 15-30 minutes before your scheduled start time. If you launch after 15 minutes, you will not be able to sit your exam as this does not allow enough time for the required hardware, environment and ID checks.
Before Exam Day
How will I know when I can book my exam?
You'll receive an email when your assessment is ready to book. Follow the link in that email, log in to Questionmark, and go to My Assessments where you will see your assessment to choose a date and time that works for you.
Do I need to set my time zone before booking?
Yes — it's important to set your local time zone in your Questionmark profile before you book. Your appointment time will be based on the time zone recorded in your account. If no time zone is set, Questionmark defaults to UTC. When selecting a date and time, you will also have the option to select the time zone if you wish to use different to your profile set time zone. To update your time zone, click your username in the portal menu and select Edit profile, then update the Time zone field under Locale settings.
Why can't I see any available time slots?
If no slots are showing, it may be that all available times within your exam's scheduling window are fully booked, or that the scheduling window hasn't opened yet. Contact your exam provider if you're unable to find a slot.
Can I cancel or change my booking?
You can cancel your appointment as long as you do so more than 24 hours before your scheduled start time. If your appointment falls within this window, you will not be able to cancel — you'll be clearly warned about this before you confirm your booking, so you can choose a different slot if needed.
If you need to cancel within 48 hours due to exceptional circumstances, contact your exam provider directly.
I've booked my appointment but the launch link isn't showing — is that normal?
Yes. The launch link only becomes active in My Assessments 30 minutes before your appointment time. If you've booked successfully but don't see the link yet, check back closer to your appointment time.
I need more time due to a health condition or disability — what should I do?
Please contact your exam provider before booking your appointment to discuss your requirements. If an accommodation is agreed, your exam provider will make the necessary arrangements in advance. This cannot be arranged on the day of your exam.
What do I need to do to prepare for my exam?
There are some preparation steps to complete before exam day:
- Complete the 'Test it out' session — a short practice run of the Talview proctoring experience. See below for more detail on why this matters.
- Download the Talview Secure Browser (TSB) — if your assessment requires it, you'll be prompted to download and install TSB in advance. A link is provided in your confirmation email and on the My Assessments screen.
- Prepare your assessment environment - please ensure your assessment environment is tidy and clear of unnecessary items. Clear your desk area to only have items required for the assessment.
You'll receive reminder emails if you haven't completed your preparation at two weeks, one week, and 24 hours before your appointment. Once you've completed your preparation, reminders will stop automatically.
What is the 'Test It Out' session and why does it matter?
The 'Test It Out' session is a short practice proctoring session that lets you experience the full exam launch process before it counts. You'll go through the same onboarding steps you'll face on exam day — camera and microphone checks, screen sharing, environment scan, and ID verification — using the same device you plan to use for your real exam.
This matters for two reasons. First, it means there are no surprises on exam day — you'll know exactly what to expect and can focus on your assessment. Second, and more importantly, if a technical problem prevents you from sitting your exam on the day, having completed the 'Test It Out' on the same device is what demonstrates your system was working in advance. Without it, it may be difficult to resolve any dispute about what went wrong.
We strongly recommend completing the 'Test It Out' as early as possible after booking, using the same device you will use on exam day, so you have time to resolve any issues well before your appointment.
What equipment do I need?
Make sure you have the following ready before exam day:
- A laptop or desktop computer (tablets and iPads are not supported)
- A stable internet connection (wired/Ethernet is preferable where possible)
- A secondary device — a smartphone or tablet — fully charged
- A valid photo ID (government-issued passport, driver's license, or military ID)
Specific additional resources required for an assessment will be detailed by the exam provider.
Can I take my exam on a tablet or iPad?
No. Your primary exam device must be a laptop or desktop computer. However, you may need a smartphone or tablet as a secondary device during the onboarding process — this is used to scan a QR code and provide an additional camera view of your exam environment.
What devices can I use as my secondary device?
If required, any smartphone or tablet can be used as your secondary device. Make sure it is fully charged before your exam. You will be asked to scan a QR code with it and allow camera access.
What is the Talview Secure Browser, and how is it different from taking my exam in a standard browser?
The Talview Secure Browser (TSB) is a dedicated application that provides a more controlled environment for your exam. When TSB is required, it restricts access to other applications and websites on your device during the assessment, helping to maintain exam integrity. Not all assessments require TSB — your confirmation email and the My Assessments screen will indicate whether it applies to you. If it does, you'll need to download and install it before exam day.
My security software is blocking the Talview Secure Browser — what should I do?
This can happen if your antivirus or firewall flags TSB as unfamiliar software. TSB is a trusted application — you may need to add it to your antivirus or firewall's list of trusted applications, or temporarily disable real-time protection while installing and launching it. Make sure to turn protection back on after your exam. For step-by-step guidance, see Talview's support article: Talview Secure Browser Platform Compatibility and Technical Requirements.
On Exam Day
Who should I contact if I have a problem during a proctored exam?
Your exam is proctored by Talview, our proctoring partner. For issues during your exam, please use the chat function or you can go to their support site where they have lots of useful information and a chat - Talview support page.
When should I launch my assessment?
You must launch your assessment from the My Assessments screen in Questionmark 15-30 minutes before the start time. The pre-exam onboarding process takes time to complete, and your exam cannot begin until all checks have passed. If you launch less than 15 minutes prior to the start time, you will not be able to sit your exam and will need to reach out to your exam provider to arrange booking another date and time.
Do I need to close any applications before launching?
Yes — if you have any applications running that may interfere with the proctoring software, you'll be prompted to close them before you can proceed. Common examples include Microsoft Teams, Outlook, Skype, and any screen recording software. It's a good idea to close unnecessary applications before you launch to avoid delays.
What happens when I launch my assessment?
Once you launch, the Talview onboarding process begins automatically. The video below shows you exactly what to expect.
The onboarding process covers the following steps:
- Loading and Terms of Use — you'll be shown what data is recorded during your session (including face capture, session recording, and photo ID) and asked to agree to the terms and conditions before proceeding.
- Exam instructions — read these carefully. Violating the exam rules may result in your session being terminated.
- Camera and microphone access — allow access when prompted. Your proctor requires both.
- Screen sharing — you'll be asked to share your entire screen. Make sure to select "Entire Screen" and not just a tab or window.
- Secondary device connection — if a secondary camera is required, scan a QR code with your phone or tablet, then enter a verification code.
- Photo ID verification — hold your ID up to the camera, or upload a copy in PNG or JPEG format. File size must not exceed 3MB. Your camera will then be used to confirm your face matches the ID provided.
- Environment scan — use your secondary device's camera to show a 360° view of your surroundings, including the table, floor, and ceiling.
- Proctor verification — once all checks are submitted, the proctor will review and verify them. Do not refresh the page while this is in progress. Your progress will be updated on screen.
Once all checks are verified, onboarding is complete. Your exam will begin at your scheduled start time — click Start exam when prompted.
💬 Need help during onboarding? You can message your proctor at any point using the chat feature in the lower left of the screen.
What if I don't launch early enough?
If you attempt to launch too close to, or after, your scheduled start time, you will be prevented from completing onboarding and will not be able to sit your exam. This will be recorded as a no-show. Please contact your exam provider to discuss your options.
What if I can't complete the onboarding checks?
If you're unable to provide valid photo ID, or fail the environment check, your proctor will not be able to clear you to proceed. Your session will be recorded as terminated. Please contact your exam provider to discuss your options.
If you run into a technical problem during onboarding, use the proctor chat in the lower left of the screen — they may be able to help you resolve it.
What language does the proctor speak?
Proctors speak English only. If you prefer to communicate by text rather than speaking, you can use the text chat feature in the lower left of the screen — this is available during onboarding, before the exam begins.
Can I take a break during my exam?
No. Once your exam has started, breaks are not permitted unless otherwise noted. The proctor monitors your session throughout and your exam timer continues to run.
Can I stop or pause the screen recording during my exam?
No. Screen recording runs continuously throughout your session and cannot be paused or disabled. Stopping your screen share during the exam may result in your session being terminated.
During and After Your Exam
What happens during my exam?
With onboarding complete, your assessment begins at your scheduled start time. The proctor monitors the session throughout via real-time audio and video. The proctor can pause or terminate your exam if the exam rules are not being followed. Take your assessment as you normally would.
What is my secondary device's camera used for during the exam?
If required, once connected and positioned, your secondary device provides an additional camera view of your exam environment throughout the session. This allows the proctor to monitor your surroundings as well as your primary screen.
What if I experience a technical problem during my exam?
If your browser crashes or you're disconnected and cannot resume within your appointment window, your session may be recorded as terminated. Please contact your exam provider as soon as possible.
This outcome is significantly less likely if you completed the 'Test It Out' session in advance on the same device, as that process confirms your setup is compatible before exam day.
What happens when I submit my exam?
When you submit, the proctoring session ends automatically and your results are processed by Questionmark. Your exam provider will be in touch regarding your results in the usual way.
What is recorded during my session, and who can see it?
Your screen and webcam video are recorded and stored during the session and are retained for future reference if required for 90 days. This also includes your photo ID.