Self-study
Question for folks who have taken the LSAT remotely before: I'm planning on taking it tomorrow (June 6) at 10 AM EST. I downloaded the ProProctor software today, and noticed that the "camera preview" cuts off the bottom half of my face, to the point that I would have to tilt the screen to a very uncomfortable degree or sit at an insane position to always stay in frame. The issue isn't my camera, which shows a perfectly normal frame setting on my built-in camera app, AND when I use the ProProctor setting to take a photo of my ID and my face, it accesses my normal camera (no face cropping issues). This problem persists across both my personal and work laptop (which are both normal, high-quality Windows devices purchased within the last year). I don't know what view the proctor will have: the preview camera view (with face cropping) or the normal camera access (which so far only works on ProProctor for the ID/selfie verification).
I've heard enough horror stories about terrible proctors and getting interrupted mid-test that I'm worried that if the proctor view is accurate to the camera-specific preview, they'll do that and make me adjust the camera/screen a bunch and lead me to waste time and energy and become more stressed. So I have a couple questions for folks:
Has anyone else encountered this issue? Is the proctor actually able to see the full camera view or the cropped version shown in the camera preview setting?
I've tried calling every Prometric and LSAC support number and they've doom looped me and routed me to 4 different phone numbers at this point, with no one able to answer my question. My backup is to just grab an external monitor, keyboard, mouse, and camera from my office, and plug it into my laptop with the laptop turned on but closed, so it looks like a desktop. If that passes the ProProctor technical calibration settings I feel like that's the best bet, but would love any confirmation on if that actually has worked for people.
I can't believe we pay almost $300 for a test sitting and the customer service is this fucking terrible.
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4 comments
Update for anyone following, I tried using external monitor + keyboard + mouse + camera plugged into a docking station that was plugged into a closed laptop computer. It passed the first 6 "compatibility" checks where it makes sure your operating system, screen resolution, camera, etc. are compliant, but then ProProctor said it couldn't "secure" the testing interface and forced me to quit.
I tried a second configuration with just the external camera and mouse plugged in, and that both passed the compatibility checks and did not trigger an error message. Fingers crossed that will be enough and the proctor won't make me pretend to be a giraffe for 3 hours.
The proctors are tough to deal with at times for sure. I did find though that they won't start the test unless everything is good from their view. There is time before they start the test where you can send a message to your proctor, I'd suggest asking if they are okay with the view/if there are any issues before they start in the chat section. Basically, when you get ready to take the test, you login to the software, some random person comes and does the room check via video and if there's a view issue I'd definitely assume they'd bring it up there. (For example, when I took the test, they saw some tattoos on my arms and were like "show us them now so we can check them" so they probably won't overlook a camera issue.) Once the person on the video leaves, you then have to wait for your digital proctor that you can't see but that you can chat with and they can see you. Ask them if their view is ok to double confirm before even starting the exam. I'd say that's really the only way to control the issue, but the camera split is probably due to their system. If you open up the regular camera on like Facetime or Photobooth does everything appear normal?
@mkos99 That is actually really reassuring to know, and that you can double check everything with both proctors before starting the clock. My camera is totally fine on every other app and also from the ID verification setting of the ProProctor app. Thanks so much for the info!
@sagely No prob! Maybe also check in throughout the exam like during the break section bc you never know if the cam will stop working for some reason. Fingers crossed it goes well!