Getting Started
You must be logged in and be a member of faculty to view the content of this page. Roughly, these are the steps to get started using the ORCA: Sample Syllabus Statements Below are some suggested statements you may add to your syllabus. In general, our recommendation is that you link out to the ORCA […]
PrairieLearn Setup
**Under Construction** – this page is currently under construction and will be updated soon. You must be logged in as an instructor to view this content.
Canvas Setup
**Under Construction** – this page is currently under construction and will be updated soon. You must be logged in as an instructor to view this content.
Policies (for teaching staff)
On this page are ORCA policies relevant faculty members and course teaching staff. There are more policies relevant for students on this page. Allowed materials in ORCA exams Before students start their assessments, all student belongings must be placed at the front of the room (backpacks, bicycles, skateboards, purses, laptops, cell phones, etc…). Computers in […]
Invigilator Reporting Tool
If ORCA invigilators need to report anything, such as academic or non-academic misconduct, issues with an ORCA computer, a medical or security issue, or anything else, do so on the “UBC ORCA Proctor Reporting Tool” page.
Getting Started
Each term, instructors will invite students to their course on PrairieTest – the reservation system used by ORCA to manage sessions and reservations. Here is a list of steps you will need to do each term, for each course that is using the ORCA for assessments: For subsequent bookings, you can go directly to https://us.prairietest.com […]
Faculty Frequently Asked Questions
Signing up to use the ORCA If you are interested in using the ORCA for your course, fill out this survey: Adding Students To add students to your PrairieTest course: Students cannot make reservations until they have been added to your course. Linking Exams Unable to Make Reservations There are multiple reasons why a student […]
Invigilator Frequently Asked Questions
Terminology We will use the following terminology to keep the FAQ more succinct: Schedule What happens if the exam doesn’t start exactly “on time” (e.g., at YY:00)? If the exam starts late, PrairieTest will automatically adjusts the end time of all students writing exams on PrairieLearn. For example, if the exam duration is 50 minutes, […]
Invigilation Instructions
There are three sections on this page, things for proctors to do “before the test”, “during the test”, and “after the test”. Before the Test Well before your assigned session, you should login to PrairieTest and ensure you can see details of your assigned session(s). You should be scheduled to start your shift 15 minutes […]
Troubleshooting
The following are steps for troubleshooting ORCA hardware such as the computers and monitors.
Student Management
This step is needed to ensure that only students registered in your course get access to book assessments in the ORCA. You will need to do this regardless of the assessment system (PrairieLearn, Canvas, DrRacket, etc…) used in your class. There are 3 options, depending on which platform you’re using (Canvas, PrairieLearn, or something else, […]
Missed Exams
The ORCA policy for missed reservations can be found on the policies page.
Term Setup
Each term, the administrators will need to create a new center in PrairieTest (PT), then import the courses and exams. ORCA Center Setup To set up the ORCA center with its courses and exams, follow these instructions: Orientation Sessions Ask instructors of first year CS courses and courses from departments where ORCA use is uncommon […]
Scheduling
Sessions General scheduling guide: Tips from Previous Terms Proctors General proctor scheduling guide for the first week: General proctor scheduling guide for following weeks: Tips: Labels Here are some commonly needed labels to make at the start of the term:
Invigilator Script
Before each session, a proctor will go through a series of instructions and steps.It might be helpful for you to review these in advance so you know of all steps. Roles Proctor 1: Proctor 2: -10 mins to start time: Proctor 1: Proctor 2: -5 mins to start time: Proctor 2: -2 mins to start […]
TA Walkthroughs
TAs are encouraged to proctor sessions for their respective class. TA walkthroughs are an excellent way to understand the student experience in ORCA. The procedure is simple: TAs are not required to stay for the entirety of the session. Visiting TAs must remain respectfully quiet and avoid distracting testing students. If active communication is needed, […]
Maintaining Integrity
If you see an incident of an academic integrity violation, report it using the Proctor Reporting Tool. Major reportable incidents Minor incidents
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I do if I missed my exam? See the missed exam policy. What am I permitted to bring to a ORCA exam? You may NOT bring anything else, INCLUDING calculators, wireless headphones (without accommodations), or smart watches. You are required to leave your phone in the phone storage at the front of the […]
CfA Accommodations
Last Updated: September 7, 2026 Welcome! You’re visiting this page likely because you are a student registered with the Centre for Accessibility (CfA), have some exam accommodations, and are wondering if you should register to write your exam with the CfA, or write your exam in the ORCA. The guidance below has been developed in […]
Policies
Quick Tips We have created a reference sheet with some of the key rules important for the ORCA linked here. Arriving late If you arrive late, no additional time will be provided to you. You will need to finish the assessment in the time remaining in your reservation. Missed Reservations The process for what happens […]
News & Updates
As we improve the ORCA, hardware, software, and policies will evolve. Recent updates and changes to the ORCA are listed below in chronological order. July 1st, 2026 CBTF is now ORCA – the open resource centre for assessments! More details here… April 14, 2026 Starting April 14 2026, students will be required to place their […]
Administrators
ORCA administrators are responsible for organizing and running the ORCA. This involves communicating with course staff, planning and managing sessions, managing proctors, and scheduling shifts.
Invigilators
Proctors are undergraduate or graduate TAs that are responsible for several critical functions of the ORCA: Overall, proctors are critical to the overall functionality of the ORCA. In general, proctors are not permitted to answer students’ content-related questions, though they are there to help students deal with unexpected technical issues. Refer to the invigilation instructions, […]
Students
Welcome to the student information section of the ORCA (Open Resource Centre for Assessments). We hope this section of the website will help you get familiar with the ORCA so you can be prepared for your reservation and assessment. ORCA reference sheet (for students) Procedures Below are important procedural things you should know, before your […]
Instructors
You must be logged in and be a member of faculty to view the content of this page. General Info As you consider whether to use the ORCA in one of your courses, it’s worth thinking about the up-front effort required, as well as the long-term steady state effort needed to continue running your assessments […]
Home
Welcome to the Open Resource Centre for Assessments (ORCA)! The Open Resource Centre for Assessments (ORCA) aims to solve a key problem in teaching and learning: helping instructors run digital assessments at scale securely and equitably. ORCA is best described as a distributed centre (multiple rooms scattered across campus) of network-filtered computer labs dedicated to […]