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 ORCA assessment.
Before your test
Students should plan to show up 10 minutes early to your reserved test time. An ORCA invigilator will let students into the room about 10 mins before the scheduled session start time.
While entering the ORCA room please keep your voices down as some students might still be taking tests from the previous session (some students and courses will be writing longer exams). Of course, talking to other students is absolutely not permitted during the test.
UBC Card
Your UBC card will be required for check-in. If you have lost your UBC Student Card, or had it stolen, please see the instructions here on replacing it While you wait for a replacement, you may use another piece of government-issued photo ID, but please note a report will be created by the proctor to track students that check-in without their UBC card. If you consistently come to ORCA without a UBC card, a proctor is allowed to deny you entry.
Check-in
You can only take your test during the time you reserved it, in the exact room you reserved it in (unless your reservation is moved by the ORCA Staff). If you do not check in, you will not be able to start your test. Check-in will be conducted by showing your UBC Student Card to the proctor, and then tapping it on the card reader.
Assigned seats
Upon check-in, a seat will be assigned to you. You must sit in the seat assigned to you at check-in. If the seat assigned to you is not functional, let your proctor know and they will reassign you a new seat.
Logging in
When you arrive at your assigned seat, you will need to login to the computer with your CWL.
For PC computers, you will login with: cwl@student.ubc.ca and <your password>.
On Mac computers, you will login with cwl and <your password>.
Starting your Test
All tests in the ORCA will start from PrairieTest. You should start in PrairieTest, and follow the instructions to open the learning platform for your course. Your test might be conducted on one of several platforms: PrairieLearn, MTA, Canvas, Dr. Racket, etc… This is something your instructor should already have informed you about. Below are some brief instructions depending on how your test is setup.
Be respectful to other students, avoid whistling, humming, talking, or gesturing wildly to yourself – this can be very distracting to other students!
After your Test
Once you are finished with your test, close all browser windows and log out of your computer. Please do not turn off the computers.
While exiting the ORCA room, please keep noise down to a minimum when picking up your belongings. Remember to pick up your phone, and take all clothing and belongings with you. Students should keep their voices down and avoid talking while exiting, or while in the hallway directly outside the room.