Exam Information
Exam Incidents & Appeals
Exam Invigilation
Virtual Proctoring:
ASSA online exams will be invigilated using well-proven online proctoring services. ASSA selected EXAMITY as proctoring service provider.
Online Proctoring – A213b | N211 | A311 | F100 | B100 |F200 | B200
As part of your preparation for your exam, all candidates will have to create an online proctoring account with Examity (proctoring service provider). Details and step-by-step instructions will be provided to you in your Test exam that will be made available before your exam. NB! This exam will close 5 working days before the exam so please ensure you access your Test exam on time.
Please ensure you use the SAME email address that is used in your ASSA Member profile to create your proctoring profile.
Video Room Invigilation – A211 | A213a | N311
All handwritten exams will be monitored via the Video Room invigilation tool. The good news is that no software or extensions need to be installed for Video Room Invigilation. Test exams for these subjects using Video Room will also be available before the exam that will contain information on how to access Video Room and requirements for video/camera and screen sharing.
NB! The Test exams will close 5 working days before the exam date. Separate screen-sharing sessions will be arranged with all candidates to test this ability with an ASSA resource.
Venue Based Invigilation
ASSA offers both venue-based or online invigilated (remote) exams. Candidates who select to write their exams at an ASSA venue will have to ensure they are present at the identified venue at least 30 min before the exams start. Venues will be arranged in Cape Town and Johannesburg.
Please indicate your preference for writing at an ASSA venue in Jhb or Cpt with registration.
Last-minute option changes will not be allowed, so ensure you are clear on where you will write the exams.
All exams at the venues will still be hosted and written on the ASSA Exam platform. ASSA will provide the PC’s and software required for the exam.
Note: Even though Venue-based exam does not require the use of the Examity proctoring tool we encourage ALL exam candidates to create an Examity Profile and test the online invigilation to serve as a backup for unforeseen circumstances.
Exam format per subject
Virtual Exams:
This will be a written exam invigilated online using your PC with a webcam and microphone. Invigilation will make use of Video Room Invigilation for this exam. Exam papers will be made available in the ASSA Exam Platform.
Candidates must ensure they have a full clean Exam pad to write the exam answers on – single side. Your candidate number must appear at the top of each page. Adding your candidate number must take place within the exam timeframe and not beforehand. Candidates must indicate on the last page of their answer pack “The End” with a line across the page.
Candidates can use any cell phone scanning app to scan their answer script into the Exam Platform during the dedicated scanning time at the end of the exam. Candidates must please ensure they are familiar with the scanning app on their cell phone and how to transfer files between their cell phone and PC and onto the Exam Platform before the exam time expires.
A Test exam will be made available where candidates can familiarise themselves with the Exam Platform, Video Room access as well as how to scan and upload scripts. NB! The Test exam will close 5 working days before the exam date so please ensure you access and test in time.
Candidates must manage their exam time and may not continue writing into the allocated scan and upload time. NO late or unsuccessful uploads will be accepted.
PC and technology specifications are listed in the Online Exam Requirements Document of this page.
Venue Based Exams:
PC’s with the required specifications and software will be available at the venues.
Candidates writing at an ASSA venue will not use the Video Room tool or scan their own scripts as you will be person invigilated. Scripts will be handed to the invigilator at ASSA exam venues. Please ensure your candidate number is on your scripts.
Exam papers will be available on the Exam Platform at the venue.
Virtual exams:
Paper A –
This will be a written exam invigilated online using your PC with a webcam and microphone. Invigilation will make use of Video Room Invigilation for this exam. Exam papers will be made available in the ASSA Exam Platform.
Candidates must ensure they have a full clean Exam pad to write the exam answers on – single side. Your candidate number must appear at the top of each page. Adding your candidate number must take place within the exam timeframe and not beforehand. Candidates must indicate on the last page of their answer pack “The End” with a line across the page.
Candidates can use any cell phone scanning app to scan their answer script into the Exam Platform during the dedicated scanning time at the end of the exam. Candidates must please ensure they are familiar with the scanning app on their cell phone and how to transfer files between their cell phone and PC and onto the Exam Platform before the exam time expires.
A Test exam will be made available where candidates can familiarise themselves with the Exam Platform, Video Room access as well as how to scan and upload scripts. NB! The Test exam will close 5 working days before the exam date so please ensure you access and test in time.
Candidates must manage their exam time and may not continue writing into the allocated scan and upload time. NO late or unsuccessful uploads will be accepted.
Paper B –
This paper will be a typed exam using an Excel file that will be provided as part of the exam, also invigilated online. Paper B will make use of the Examity proctoring tool and students must ensure they create/update their online profiles and test their technology in line with the communicated requirements and process.
Test exams will be made available where candidates can familiarise themselves with the Exam Platform, Video Room access (paper A), Examity proctoring tool access (paper B) as well as how to scan and upload scripts for paper A. NB! The Test exams will close 5 working days before the exam date so please ensure you access and test in time.
Refer to the Online Exam Technology Requirements Document for technical and software requirements.
Venue Based Exams:
PC’s complying with the technical requirements will be available at the venues. Papers will be made available via the Exam Platform.
For both Paper A and Paper B, candidates writing at an ASSA venue will not be required to create an Examity account or use any of the invigilation tools. These candidates will be invigilated by a person at the venue.
Candidates writing Paper A at an ASSA venue will hand in their scripts to the invigilator. (no need to use a cell phone to scan). For Paper B candidates will upload their Excel script directly into the Exam Platform.
This exam will only be offered as a typed exam on the ASSA Exam Platform.
Virtual Exams:
Invigilation will take place online through the Examity proctoring tool.
Candidates must make sure they create their Examity profiles and test their technology environment well before the exam day as per communicated instructions.
Candidates must also participate in the Test exams that will be made available before exam day. These test exams must be used to familiarise yourself with the Exam Platform and text editor as well as to test the proctoring technology and process. NB – Test exams will close 5 working days before the exam day, so please ensure you access the Test exam in time.
PC and technology specifications are listed in the Online Exam Technical Requirements Document.
Venue Based Exams:
PCs complying with the technical requirements will be available at the venues. Candidates may bring their own mouse and approved calculator.
Exams will be available on the ASSA Exam Platform.
NB – Test exams will close 2 working days before the exam day, so please ensure you access the Test exam in time.
This exam will only be offered as a typed exam on the ASSA Exam Platform. Microsoft Office templates will be provided as part of the exam for completing answers in. Candidates are responsible for saving and uploading their answer files onto the Exam Platform in time, as no late submissions will be accepted.
Virtual Exams:
Invigilation will take place online through the Examity proctoring tool.
Candidates must make sure they create their proctoring profiles and test their technology environment well before the exam day as per communicated instructions.
Candidates must also participate in the Test exams that will be made available before exam day. The test exam must be used to familiarise yourself with the Exam Platform, with the ability to download .pdf files and upload answer files as well as using the proctoring technology and process. NB – Test exams will close 5 working days before the exam day, so please ensure you access the Test exam in time.
PC and technology specifications are listed in the Online Exam Technical Requirements Document.
Venue Based Exams:
PCs complying with the technical requirements will be available at the venues loaded with the required Microsoft Office programs. Candidates may bring their own mouse and approved calculator.
Exams will be available on the ASSA Exam Platform. Completed scripts will be uploaded into the Exam platform.
Candidates writing at an ASSA venue will not be required to create proctoring accounts, as these candidates will be invigilated by a person at the venue.
NB – Test exams will close 2 working days before the exam day, so please ensure you access the Test exam in time.
These exams will only be offered as a typed exam on the ASSA Exam Platform.
Virtual Exams:
Invigilation will take place online through the Examity proctoring tool.
Candidates must make sure they create their proctoring profiles and test their technology environment well before the exam day as per communicated instructions.
Candidates must also participate in the Test exams that will be made available before exam day. This test exam must be used to familiarise yourself with the Exam Platform, downloading and open a .pdf file and upload your saved exam script as well as to test the Examity proctoring technology and process. NB – Test exams will close 5 working days before the exam day, so please ensure you access the Test exam in time.
PC and technology specifications are listed in the Online Exam Technical Requirements Document.
Venue Based Exams:
PCs complying with the technical requirements will be available at the venues. Candidates may bring their own mouse and approved calculator.
Exams will be available on the ASSA Exam Platform. Exam scripts are typed in MS Word and uploaded back into the Exam Platform.
Candidates writing at an ASSA venue will not be required to create proctoring accounts, as these candidates will be invigilated by a person at the venue.
NB – Test exams will close 5 working days before the exam day, so please ensure you access the Test exam in time.
These exams will only be offered as a typed exam on the ASSA Exam Platform.
Virtual Exams:
Invigilation will take place online through the Examity proctoring tool.
Candidates must make sure they create their proctoring profiles and test their technology environment well before the exam day as per communicated instructions.
Candidates must also participate in the Test exams that will be made available before exam day. This test exam must be used to familiarise yourself with the Exam Platform, downloading and open a .pdf file and upload your saved exam script as well as to test the Examity proctoring technology and process. NB – Test exams will close 5 working days before the exam day, so please ensure you access the Test exam in time.
PC and technology specifications are listed in the Online Exam Technical Requirements Document.
Venue Based Exams:
PCs complying with the technical requirements will be available at the venues. Candidates may bring their own mouse and approved calculator.
Exams will be available on the ASSA Exam Platform. Exam scripts are typed in MS Word and uploaded back into the Exam Platform.
Candidates writing at an ASSA venue will not be required to create proctoring accounts, as these candidates will be invigilated by a person at the venue.
NB – Test exams will close 5 working days before the exam day, so please ensure you access the Test exam in time.
Will I need to type my exam paper?
Only A211 and A213 (paper A) candidates will be allowed to write the exam. All other exams will be typed-only exams.
Will I be able to print my exam paper
You will not be allowed to print the exam paper or copy it in any way outside of the Exam platform.
Copy/past of sections of the questions into the answer blocks or MS Office will be allowed.
You will be allowed to have scrap paper with you to make notes on and plan.
What other programs must I have on my PC?
Refer to the Online Exam Technology Requirements Document for technical and software requirements for all virtual exams. (Venue based exams will be equipt with PC’s loaded with the correct software)
All candidates must have an updated Adobe Acrobat – (http://get.adobe.com/reader/ ) on their PC’s and ensure their browser permissions are set to allow the opening of the .pdf in a browser tab.
MS Office programs such as MS Word / Excel / Powerpoint are required, templates will be provided in the exam to download and use. Students may not use their own files.
Will my work's firewall allow the exam program?
Only Chrome browsers are supported.
Candidates must be able to install the browser extension for the invigilation service. Installing and deleting Chrome extensions, remote access and sharing of your PC’s microphone (sound) and camera must be allowed by firewalls – please check with your network administrator before the exam.
You will access the Exam platform through your web interface and must be able to share your screen and upload scripts where applicable.
Ensure you conduct your Test exam on the same PC and in the same environment (e.g. at home or at the office) where you will be writing your final exam.
Refer to the Online Exam Technology Requirements Document for technical and software requirements.
Microphones / earphones / earplugs / hats and webcams?
Your laptop / PC should have a working camera and microphone as per the specifications in the Online Exam Technology Requirements Document.
The camera and microphone must remain on for the full duration of the exam. This is used by the online invigilation services and may not be used by the student themselves for other activities.
NO earphones, earplugs or headsets will be allowed. No hats, hoody caps, headgear, beanies, etc. will be allowed. This is applicable to both virtual as well as venue-based students.
Can I use my phone camera to record if I don’t have a webcam?
No. You will need a PC with a working webcam to attempt these exams.
All phones must be off for the duration of the exam.
Are additional (dual screen) or larger monitors allowed?
No dual screens are allowed. The proctoring service also doesn’t allow additional devices attached to your PC ports.
Make use of the “Test my equipment” link within the proctoring service to test your PC set up and ensure you take part in the Test exams that will be set up for all subjects making use of virtual invigilation.
If using a larger monitor your laptop monitor must be closed at all times.
Will I be allowed a bathroom break during the exam?
Due to the nature of the exams and invigilation, the online proctoring service will notify us if you leave the room and this will be logged as an exam incident to be dealt with after the exam.
Ensure you go to the bathroom before the exam starts and if there is a requirement to have a bathroom break, please state out loud that you are leaving the room for a bathroom break and also announce when you get back, so the proctors can easily identify these breaks. All logged incidents will be verified.
Must I stay connect to the internet with my camera and microphone for the entire time?
Yes, you have to maintain connectivity for the full duration of the exam.
Exams are loaded in the ASSA Exam platform which you can only access over the internet. The online proctoring service will also require full access to your webcam and microphone for the full duration of the exam. Significant bandwidth is required to record a full 3-hour exam.
Any loss in connectivity or technology not working properly will be logged as an incident that will be actioned after the exam. No candidate may go un-invigilated during the exams – this includes a working and recording camera and microphone at all times.
A loss in connectivity will require you to reconnect as quickly as possible. You will be required to start up the online proctoring service and re-verify yourself before you may continue with the exam. NO additional time may be provided to candidates who have lost time due to disconnects.
Refer to the Online Exam Technology Requirements Document for technical and software requirements.
Will I have access to the Formulae Book (Orange Book)?
Any Formulae book information, as determined by the Examinator, will be made available online in the ASSA Exam platform as part of the exam.
Candidates may not use their own Formulae (Orange) books.
How will I deal with answers requiring special symbols and characters in the typed exams?
ASSA is in active discussions with the examiners to ensure that the tools available to students during the exam will be sufficient for them to be able to answer all questions.
How will A211 and A213a scan their scripts?
ONLY A211 and A213 paper A will be written exams.
All candidates for these exams must have a smartphone with a scanning app installed. Most iOS and Android phones have a build-in scanning function or you may choose to use a downloaded scanning app. You must ensure you are familiar with your scanning app before the exams as well as on how to transfer your scanned file from your phone to your PC.
Phones will be OFF during the exam and accessed only after the exam time to scan and upload written scripts into the Exam Platform within a limited scanning time allowed. Candidates may NOT WRITE INTO SCANNING TIME and will be flagged if they do so.
Candidates must ensure they are familiar and have practiced scanning and uploading files with their scanning apps.
Are the exams going to be open book?
The exams are not open book, you will not be allowed to access any notes or material during the exam.
Are we allowed to make use of spellcheckers such as Grammarly ?
If you already have Grammarly installed it should work in the Exam Platform.
The ASSA Exam platform indicates spelling mistakes and “ctrl + Right-click” provides suggestions.
What happens if I look around during the exam?
The online proctoring system will pick up your movements and record it in the incident log for review after the exam by the ASSA Incident Committee.
Any suspicious actions will be investigated.
Why are ASSA’s requirements not aligned with the UK IFoA?
ASSA and the IFOA have different governance structures which determine what the standard requirements for exams will be used.
A1 level exams that are outsourced to the IFoA will be written on their standards and according to their rules.
Still got questions? Please submit your question or input below.
You can also email ASSA on: assaadmin@actuarialsociety.org.za