Using the Evaluation and Proficiency Center (EPC)

About the EPC?

The primary function of the Evaluation and Proficiency Center (EPC) is to provide students with a secure, distraction-free environment for taking assessments in courses that utilize the EPC. The EPC is designed to allow students to concentrate fully on their assignments while offering the convenience of scheduling an appointment within the range of dates the assessment is available.

All EPC assessments occur in room 201 G in Engineering Building 2.

Proctors

One or more trained proctors will be present in the EPC during scheduled evaluation periods. Proctors will move around the room during an exam to monitor student progress, to ensure that no unauthorized materials are present, to make certain that lab equipment is not moved or removed, such as monitor screen protectors/filters and to answer basic Webcourses login questions. Proctors will assist you with password protected assessments and provide scratch paper when necessary. Please, raise your hand to capture the attention of a proctor.

Check-In Assistants

Our check-in assistants are responsible for answering basic questions about the EPC, assisting with locker issues, and helping with the student check-in/out processes. At check in, you will be asked to show both sides of your hands and present any materials that you intend to bring into the EPC.

Who Can Use the EPC?

EPC access is restricted to students enrolled in courses that require assessments administered through the EPC.

Scheduling Your Assessment

Appointment Window

Your instructor assigns (or is assigned) a specific window or period of time for each assessment given in the EPC. It’s your responsibility to schedule an appointment with the EPC during the assessment period. Failing to schedule an appointment within the assigned window may result in missing the opportunity to take the assessment. We recommend scheduling all of your exams early in the term to secure your preferred assessment times.

Scheduling Process

An appointment is required to take an assessment in the EPC. You must schedule appointment via our website.

First, select the course for which you’d like to schedule an assessment. Next, choose the specific assessment title and a preferred appointment time. Appointment times are available in 30-minute intervals. After scheduling, always review your appointments to confirm that your new appointment was successfully booked.

For all scheduled appointments, you have 15 minutes prior and 14 minutes after the appointment time to check in with our front-end staff. Example: Your appointment is scheduled for 10:30 AM. You may check in for the appointment any time between 10:15 AM and 10:44 AM.

Missed Appointments

If you miss an appointment check-in window, you may be able to make a new appointment provided the assessment period is still active and there is space available in the EPC.

Closures

The EPC is closed for all campus-observed holidays and emergency closures. During weekday home football games, the EPC’s operational hours will align with the designated campus hours.

Exceptions

To schedule exceptions (assessments outside the designated window), we require written permission from your professor sent directly from their @ucf.edu inbox to ours (epc@ucf.edu).

Along with your permission, we need the following information to set up an exception:

Canceling Appointments

Only you may cancel your scheduled appointments. Please be courteous of your peers and cancel any unneeded appointments, so that the appointment window becomes available for another student.

Preparing for Your Assessment

Lockers

The EPC offers a limited number of free lockers with electronic locks, available on a first-come, first-served basis. Lockers come in three sizes. To ensure availability for all students, please use the smallest locker that accommodates your belongings, leaving larger lockers for those with larger bags.

The EPC is not responsible for lost or stolen items. If you encounter any issues with a locker, ask an EPC staff member for assistance.

Special Items

Identification

To access the EPC, students must present a valid and scannable UCF Student ID. Your ID will be swiped by EPC staff at check-in to verify your identity and again when checking out.

If you are not in possession of your UCF ID Card, a new one can be obtained from UCF Card Services.

If you do not have your UCF ID, you may use the once-per-semester pass by presenting an alternate photo ID (physical or digital) and completing an online form. EPC staff will provide a QR code for the form if needed.

Writing Utensils

At check-in, EPC staff will provide a pen for use with EPC-provided scratch paper. Pens are the only permitted writing instruments in the EPC. You may bring your own pen if you prefer, but pencils are not allowed.

Scratch Paper

The EPC provides scratch paper for assessments. At the end of your assessment, you are responsible for ensuring all scratch paper is scanned into the system. Review the on-screen scan preview to confirm that all pages are legible and properly scanned, as some faculty use scratch paper to award partial credit.

Headwear

Brimmed or billed hats must be worn backward or left outside the EPC. Additionally, hoods must remain down during testing to ensure EPC staff and cameras can clearly see your eyes and ears at all times.

Calculators

For courses that allow calculators, the EPC provides TI-30XIIS and TI-36X Pro models. Your instructor will specify which model is permitted.

For personal calculators, only the approved models listed below may be used. When bringing a personal calculator, remove the cover and insert before entering the EPC. Programmable and graphing calculators are not permitted.

Lab regulations only allow the following calculators to be used during assessment periods:

Electronic Devices

To avoid issues, students are strongly advised not to bring electronic devices into the EPC. If you do bring a device, it must be powered off and remain in your pocket for the duration of your visit. If any EPC staff member sees or hears your device, you will be escorted out, and your exam will be submitted as-is. Your instructor will be notified of the incident.

Noise

To minimize distractions, you may bring and wear foam earplugs during your assessment.

Taking Your Assessment

How Assessments are delivered

All assessments in the Evaluation and Proficiency Center (EPC) are delivered electronically via PC workstations using the Respondus LockDown Browser. Most assessments are accessed through Webcourses.

Your Arrival

Upon arrival at the EPC (ENGR2:201G), enter through the main door and proceed to the locker room on your right (ENGR2:201B). Before checking in, please place all personal belongings in a locker. Remember to keep your UCF ID with you, as it is required for both check-in and check-out. If you intend to use your own pen, please have it ready at this time.

During check-in, an EPC staff member will visually inspect your hands. If any writing is found, you will be asked to wash it off before entering the EPC. If you are wearing any brimmed headwear, you will either be required to remove it and leave it outside the EPC or wear it backwards throughout the duration of your assessment.

Beginning Your Assessment

After checking in, proceed to the Evaluation Room (ENG2-201) and select a computer. If possible, leave at least one seat between yourself and other students.

  1. Log in to the computer using your NID and NID password.
  2. Launch the Respondus LockDown Browser via the desktop shortcut.
  3. Log in to Webcourses using your NID and NID password.
  4. Navigate to the Webcourses dashboard and select the course for your assessment.

Before beginning, confirm that you have selected the correct assessment. If the assessment requires a password, raise your hand, and a proctor will assist you.

Completing Your Assessment

After completing your assessment:

  1. Walk to the front of the EPC evaluation room and use a check-out station to scan your UCF ID.
  2. You will be prompted to scan your scratch paper; this will attach it to your exam attempt. It is your responsibility to ensure each page is scanned legibly. Please use the on-screen preview to verify the scanned images. Scratch paper may not be retrievable later.
  3. Return any EPC-provided materials, such as pens or calculators, to the appropriate bins near the check-out stations. If you brought your own pen or calculator, you may take them with you.

After exiting the Evaluation Room, you may return to the EPC entrance (ENGR2:201G) to access the locker room and retrieve your belongings.

Unauthorized Materials/Misconduct

Only authorized materials are allowed for use during your assessment in the EPC. This means backpacks, food, drink, purses, notebooks, books, skateboards, helmets, scooters, bicycles, or any item that is not explicitly stated as authorized material for your assessment is not allowed in the EPC.

All incidents of suspected misconduct will be documented utilizing but not limited to: Visual accounts, material collection, digital camera recordings, and screen captures. The EPC manager will report these incidents, including all supporting documentation, to the instructor on record for appropriate course of action. The EPC may also submit a copy of incidents to the Student Conduct Board.

Recording devices of any kind are strictly prohibited. Possession or use of recording devices will be referred to the UCF Office of Student Conduct for further action.

Integrity & Accountability

To ensure the integrity of the classes using the EPC, we use a wide variety of security and surveillance measures. This includes, but is not limited to, recording video and audio in the EPC, computer monitoring software, access restrictions on parts of Webcourses, and digital verification methods used to ensure identity.

These measures are in line with the UCF Creed and the UCF Golden Rule Handbook. If an integrity concern arises, any collected data may be shared with appropriate UCF offices for review.

Leaving During an Exam/Quiz

We strongly recommend using the restroom before entering the EPC. Restroom breaks during assessments are permitted only in emergencies. If a restroom break is necessary during your assessment, please raise your hand to alert an EPC staff member, who will provide an escort.

Reporting Problems

Students who encounter an issue with any equipment or software in the EPC shall report the problem to an EPC staff member immediately to obtain assistance. Do not attempt to fix the problem on your own. Whereas tests have time limits, reporting a technical problem as quickly as possible will minimize the time required for you to get back online and complete the test. If any problems are encountered when using the EPC website, please email epc@ucf.edu or call us at 407-823-5619.