OnVUE candidate information

The online proctored exam is available for the Intern Written and CAOP exams.

OnVUE exams allow you to conveniently take an examination in the comfort of your home or office while being monitored by an online proctor. All communication with the proctor is in English.

You can sit the online proctored exam anywhere that has:

• a reliable device with a webcam
• a strong internet connection, AND
• a room where you will not be disturbed for the duration of the exam

You will need a smartphone to verify your identification.

On this page:

• Registration
• Sitting the exam
• Checklist and advice
• Security of OnVUE exams
• Resources

Registering for your exam

OnVUE exams run 24 hours a day.

For details on how to register for your exam see either:

• Intern Written exam step-by-step guide, OR
• CAOP step-by-step guide

You cannot change delivery mode after you've confirmed your appointment. For details between the two options, see a comparison between test centre and online proctored exams.

Confirming your exam

Once you have registered, you'll receive a confirmation email from our exam provider, Pearson VUE.

Read this email carefully because it will contain important details on the exam process such as:

• date and time
• system requirements
• misconduct protocols
• terms and conditions

Rescheduling your exam

You can reschedule the time of your OnVUE appointment up until 1 hour before your exam's scheduled time. This is subject to availability.

Refunds and cancellations

You can cancel your exam and request a refund in the 'My Exams' section of the candidate portal.

Supporting documentation will be required if you request a refund after the registration period. You will need to provide these details within 4 weeks after the exam date. See our Examinations fee refund policy for more information.

This policy also applies if you're ill, or if personal circumstances prevent you from sitting the exam on the day.

Sitting the exam

The check-in process:

1. Start the process by logging into the Candidate Portal or use the direct check-in link found in your confirmation email from Pearson VUE.
2. When you start your exam appointment, OnVUE will provide you a link to an OnVUE app.
3. The OnVUE app will prompt you to take photos of the following with your desktop camera or smartphone:
   • Headshot
   • Primary ID - see Identification Documents for details
   • Testing environment
4. The Proctor will ask you to scan your room using your webcam. They will request to inspect any materials near your workstation.

The proctor will stop your exam if you:

• use your phone, unless Pearson VUE contacts you about a technical issue
• are not fully clothed throughout your entire exam
• access other applications on your device
• leave your webcam view
• get up and walk around
• have a third party enter your testing environment
• leave your testing environment
• consume food or smoke
• move your webcam once your testing session has started
• mumble or speak out loud (will lead to a warning)
• use headphones and headsets (wired or Bluetooth), unless explicitly approved by your test sponsor
• use a pen or stylus.

You will not be able to continue or reschedule your exam. You will not be eligible for a refund.

Items to have with you

You can have:

• a calculator
• any item on the Comfort Aid list
• a glass of water
• your mobile phone (in case you experience technical issues)
• reference materials.

You cannot have:

• a wristwatch
• a mobile phone
• pens or pencils
• stylus/stencil pens
• food
• blank sheets of paper or notebooks.

PearsonVUE provides the following online tools:

• Calculator
• Online whiteboard tool
• Scratchpad (CAOP only)

Identification Documents (ID)

You'll need to show 1 form of identity to commence the exam. It must be an acceptable form of primary ID from the list below. All IDs must be current and valid. We cannot accept expired, photocopied or digital IDs.

If you do not have an acceptable primary ID from that country, use an international travel passport from your country of citizenship as your primary ID.

Primary ID

This ID document must be issued by your government and contain: your full name your date of birth a recognisable photograph your signature Types of acceptable primary ID include: international passport government-issued national identity card (with a photo) government-issued citizenship card (with a photo) Australian or New Zealand driver’s licence IDs that we cannot accept for online proctored exams: Renewal forms with expired ID’s Government-issued name change documents with Government ID Photocopy or digital ID

ID requirements

The name on your ID must match the name you used to register for your exam. Email us at exams@pharmacycouncil.org.au before the exam if your name on your ID is different from the one you used to register. The ID must be an original document. We will not accept photocopies, even if they are certified. If you have an issue with your ID, email us at exams@pharmacycouncil.org.au at least 3 days before the exam to request a pre-approval.

Reference materials

The Intern Written Exam is 'open-book'. This means you can bring any printed or hand-written reference materials. Please see the Intern Written exam guide and sample paper for more details.

The CAOP is a 'restricted open-book exam'. This means you can bring with you 1 copy of each of the approved reference books (any edition):

• Australian Medicines Handbook (AMH) – an evidence-based independent medicines reference book
• Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary (APF) – an everyday guide to pharmacy practice
• British National Formulary (BNF) – the latest edition includes treatment summaries for all drugs commonly prescribed in the United Kingdom

Please see the CAOP exam guide and sample paper for more details.
 

Technology requirements

To ensure your device is compatible with OnVUE, you are required to run a system test prior to your registration and exam date. Make sure you run through the entire test and complete the latest updates on your device.

You should be able to launch a sample exam and successfully complete the system test. A BrowserLock message will appear if your system is blocking the program. It will note what applications are preventing you from running the program. If you cannot get past the BrowserLock message, your device may not be compatible.

OnVUE requires a stable internet connection and strong Wi-Fi. You cannot use a mobile hotspot.

If you experience any technical interruptions, you should immediately raise your concern to your online proctor.

Please see OnVUE's system requirements for more information.

Checklist and advice

Before exam day

Review OnVUE's system requirements. Run through the entire system test. Familiarise yourself with the online whiteboard and/or scratchpad tool. Ensure you have the correct form of ID. Check what you can and can't bring. Read confirmation emails regarding misconduct. You can reschedule/cancel up until 1 hour prior to your exam by logging in to the candidate portal.

On exam day

Check-in 30 min prior to the exam. If you arrive 15 minutes after the scheduled exam time, you will not be able to start your exam. Have your photo ID ready with you to use. Have all your reference books with you before you start and clear your desk of anything else. You cannot make notes or use any pens/pencils. Allow notifications from the OnVUE application before starting the exam. If your access code is invalid, try closing the tab, and getting a new access code. Your exam will begin within 15 minutes of your appointment time. If you have checked in early this may seem like a long time to wait but please be patient. Exam conditions will begin during the check-in process. You will be recorded.

Security of OnVUE online proctored exams

Monitoring

OnVUE's online proctoring combines live proctoring with Artificial Intelligence (AI). Your proctor will be a Pearson VUE certified proctor who monitors you via webcam and microphone.

SmartReview, powered by AI, monitors, records, and flags suspicious behaviour. For example, it will detect if the candidate swaps seat with someone during the exam.

Exams are terminated immediately if prohibited or suspicious behaviour is detected.

Personal data protection

Pearson VUE manages and deletes your data according to the data privacy laws in Australia.

Your information is kept for 90 days. It will then be permanently deleted.

Your keystrokes are saved every three seconds to avoid data loss.

Checking your ID

You will need to check yourself in. This means you will run through ID authentication protocols using artificial intelligence (AI).

If you cannot pass your AI photo verification process, you will be automatically connected to a live greeter, who manually performs the ID verification. They will instruct you to make any necessary modifications to the testing environment.

You will not be permitted to sit your exam if you cannot be positively identified.

Resources

To learn more about the contents of your exam see:

• Intern Written Examination guide and sample paper
• CAOP guide and sample paper.

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