Mouse Allowed?
Answered
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If you are using a balled mouse, you likely will need a mouse pad but sometimes they work but that depends on how the ball rolls on the surface it is on. If you are using an optical mouse, you really should be able to use it if the surface has a detectable texture. Mouse pad not contain anything that could be helpful notes just a general texture of an ambiguous level.
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Does this answer your question:
Yes to mouse pad.
I know how NCARB operated since I dealt with these folks for some 15 years. Nothing they do is surprising. Why is a mouse will likely work but with slightly degraded performance on that particular table's surface but some surfaces are so glassy smooth and lack color or a even a subtle texture pattern for the optical mouse sensor to work well. This is what they are talking about regarding clean desk.
The clean desk policy is spelled out all over Prometric and PSI which is virtually identical because it's standardized. I've read it. READ the posted guidelines. The ONLY thing you should have on your desk is computer, mouse (and mouse pad), monitor, keyboard, and webcam either built into the monitor (in case of laptop) or as an external webcam sitting on top of the monitor looking at you.
You need to setup your immediate testing work area to about as clean and devoid of anything within maximum arm's reach even with leaning plus a foot or two. Everything else in room should be 5-6 ft from you or otherwise not within reach in any direction. Otherwise they need to be behind you, out of immediate reach, and that it would require you to look away because during remote proctoring, YOU have to be looking at the monitor at ALL times except during the allowed break. You're not to be looking away from the monitor during remote proctoring. That is part of why they remove the scrap paper & pencil/pen.
Every remote proctoring requires as a standard operating procedure that the examinee to be looking at the screen essentially at all times.... not looking away for long periods of time because as part of proctoring standards, they have to see your face on the camera from forehead to chin. They ALL require that for any professional certification exam and licensure exams. It is not an exception in the U.S. and much of the world. It's internationally standardized. I have insight because I was involved in exam development for CPBD certification exam for the ANS accreditation of the certification program which is an ongoing process. Prometric, PSI, & NCARB is applying those same basic standards for the exam.
You need to set up your testing environment very similarly to a setup like the test center as far as your immediate testing area. Your room should be tidied up and otherwise cleaned up so you don't have loose papers and your books are on bookshelves, calculators or other NON-AUTHORIZED (prohibited items) not in the room you are testing in. Period. No EXCEPTIONS. NCARB already published some of that a week or two ago.
Read the first four documents here: https://www.ncarb.org/data-resources
Especially this: https://www.ncarb.org/sites/default/files/ARE5Guidelines_OnlineProctoring.pdf
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Your secure testing area (during Remote proctoring) should be clean like that computer desk (minus the number 10 on the cubicle wall and the table. You don't necessarily need to have it be in a cubicle but just a simple table with nothing but the absolute minimum on there and only other things being authorized items.
Look at the picture, your secure test area should be comparable to the test center desk area.
Watch this video from Prometric:
Watch this video from PSI:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvqONzwF2nM
That is what you will be expecting and what the proctors are expecting to see for a secure testing area in your home.
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NCARB will get to you and answer anything else that isn't already published or stated sometime before the end of the year.
PS: I am taking the ARE exam but not scheduled yet because I am waiting for the online proctoring to come online. It's one of those sit and wait situation. I'm not going to schedule for an online exam until after I see the digital whiteboard. FYI, NCARB had been pretty much not answering anything for the past week and when they do, they don't answer the question fully or even in-depth.
Regarding your question: Is a wireless mouse allowed during the remote exam? Read page 13 under NCARB Requirements of this PDF document as follows - https://www.ncarb.org/sites/default/files/ARE5Guidelines_OnlineProctoring.pdf
Arielle, I wish you best in getting through these exams.
A plain, single color or grid pattern (including plaid pattern) mouse pad would work great for optical mouses and that the mouse pad's surface is of a matte to semi-gloss finish. The key is the surface the mouse is on provides diffused reflectivity of the light emitted off the LED (or laser even infrared spectrum).
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Richard Balkins, again I was not asking you and these comments are not helpful. If you truly are an ARE candidate, your time would be much better spent studying the material instead of trolling these boards. I challenge you to prove that you are not a troll by NOT RESPONDING to this post. Go read MEEB instead.
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Hey Arielle,
I can help with your questions! Yes, a wireless mouse is acceptable. You have the option to use a corded mouse, wireless mouse, or a laptop trackpad. If you are using a wireless mouse, make sure the batteries are sufficiently charged to complete your exam.
Regarding the mouse pad, they can be used but will be subject to inspection by the check-in agent.
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Hey Elena,
A trackpad (corded or wireless) would be acceptable. If the trackpad requires additional software to function, this may create an issue with the ProProtor software. If the trackpad requires no additional software and connects to your computer the same way as a mouse, you should be ok.
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Thank you Arielle Lapp for the question. While we are talking about mouse, are we allowed to use a trackball mouse?
I am used to Logitech M570 Wireless Trackball mouse. Don't know if it is acceptable for taking ARE Online Proctoring...
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