Laurel P&P Lesson 4

Track 1: Laurel VEC P&P — Lesson 4 of 7

Administering & Monitoring Exams

Required applicant instructions, VE monitoring rules, special accommodations, and how to handle cheating.

Learning objectives

  • Recite the required instructions that must be given to every applicant before testing
  • Apply the correct monitoring rules (what VEs may and may not do)
  • Handle suspected and confirmed cheating correctly
  • Provide appropriate exam accommodations for applicants with disabilities
Part A — Required instructions

What applicants must be told before the exam starts

These instructions must be given verbally to all applicants and may also be included in written form with exam booklets. They are required — not optional §97.511 P&P App. 4 §2.19 App. 8 §6.1.

  • ✓Examinees must follow all VE instructions. Failure results in exam termination and disqualification from the session §97.509(c) App. 8 §6.1.1–6.1.2
  • ✓The following devices are prohibited during exams: cell phones, smart watches, tablets, earbuds/headphones, smart glasses App. 4 §2.19.3 App. 8 §6.1.3
  • ✓Personal calculators are permitted but must be checked by a VE before use — no programmed formulas or stored memory App. 4 §2.19.4 App. 8 §6.1.4
  • ✓Electronic devices (phones, tablets, watches) may not be used as calculators and must be turned off App. 4 §2.19.4.1 App. 8 §6.1.4.1
  • ✓Calculations and formulas go on the back of the answer sheet; additional scratch paper available on request App. 4 §2.19.5 App. 8 §6.1.5
  • ✓How to mark the answer sheet and how to correct an answer App. 4 §2.19.6 App. 8 §6.1.6
  • ✓No talking while exams are being administered (library-like atmosphere) App. 8 §6.1.7
  • ✓If you leave the exam area before finishing, your exam will be graded immediately App. 4 §2.19.7 App. 8 §6.1.8
  • ✓If caught cheating, the exam will not be graded and you must leave the facility; other LARC VEC teams and other VECs will be notified App. 4 §2.19.8 App. 8 §6.1.9
  • ✓The team’s retest policy App. 8 §6.3
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Applicant flexibility

Applicants may take any exam in any order, at their discretion §97.509 App. 8 §6.4.1. They do not have to pass one exam before starting another. App. 8 §6.4.3 They may take breaks between exams. App. 8 §6.4.4 Large-print exams are available on request — no proof of visual impairment required. App. 8 §6.9.1

Part B — Monitoring rules

What VEs must (and must not) do while monitoring

Administering VEs must observe examinees throughout the entire examination §97.509(c) P&P App. 8 §6.6.

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While monitoring, VEs may NOT: P&P App. 8 §6.6.2–6.6.3

Read books, magazines, or newspapers · Use any electronic device (phone, tablet, etc.) · Engage in conversation with applicants or other VEs unless performing their duties

✅

VEs MUST: P&P App. 8 §6.6.1 App. 6 §1.7

Be present in the room where exams are being administered · Observe applicants at all times while they are taking exams · Immediately notify the Session Leader of suspected or observed cheating, VE non-compliance, or applicant non-compliance

Part C — Cheating

Handling cheating

Suspected cheating P&P App. 5 §3.3

Continue monitoring. Have additional VEs observe the applicant if possible. Until cheating is confirmed, treat the applicant like any other — do not accuse them prematurely.

Confirmed cheating — enough VEs to continue the session P&P App. 5 §3.4.1

  • 1

    Discreetly remove the applicant

    Ask them to step away from where they are testing. Inform them that one or more VEs observed them cheating. Describe what was observed. App. 5 §3.4.1.1–3.4.1.2

  • 2

    Inform and dismiss

    Tell the applicant they may not continue and must leave the facility. App. 5 §3.4.1.3

  • 3

    Record as failed

    All exam results for the applicant are entered as Failed. Answer sheets are marked with the word “CHEATED”. App. 5 §3.4.3

  • 4

    Notify

    Notify the Regional Coordinator and Team Leader. App. 5 §3.4.4 App. 4 §2.23 Other LARC VEC teams and other VECs will be informed so they can take precautions.

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If removing the cheating applicant leaves fewer than 3 VEs P&P App. 5 §3.4.2

Halt the exam session. Announce it. Instruct all examinees to remain seated with exam booklets closed. Remove the cheating applicant as above. Resume once you can maintain the minimum VE count.

Part D — Accommodations

Special exam accommodations

Physical disabilities §97.509(k) P&P App. 8 §6.9

VEs must accommodate examinees whose physical disabilities require special procedures. Large-print exams are available. An applicant may request that an exam be read aloud. App. 8 §6.9.1–6.9.2

When reading an exam: three qualified VEs take turns reading questions and answer options (to avoid vocal inflection cueing the correct answer). App. 8 §6.9.2.3 VEs also take turns marking the answer sheet per the applicant’s choice. App. 8 §6.9.2.4

Non-physical (cognitive/neurological) disabilities P&P App. 8 §6.9.3

The LARC VEC is not prepared to provide accommodations for non-physical disabilities without a physician’s note describing the disability and recommending a testing method. Even with a physician’s note, accommodation may not be possible. Notify your Regional Coordinator when this arises.

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Off-site exams P&P App. 8 §6.10

Teams may choose to administer an exam at an applicant’s residence if the applicant’s disability prevents them from appearing at the exam facility. This is at the team’s discretion.

Knowledge Check

A VE notices a suspicious applicant. The VE wants to be sure before acting. What is the correct approach?




Knowledge Check

While monitoring, a VE pulls out their smartphone to check a message. Is this permitted?




Knowledge Check

An applicant caught cheating has already completed two of the three exams they planned to take. How should the results be recorded?




Knowledge Check

While monitoring a paper exam, a VE’s cell phone buzzes with an urgent text. What is the correct action?




Need to check the source document? Full P&P Reference →

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