> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://academy.synap.ac/doc/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://academy.synap.ac/doc/exams/proctoring-with-synoptic/install-levels/synoptic-browser-extension/sitting-a-synoptic-browser-extension-exam.md). # Sitting a Synoptic Browser Extension Exam Guide for candidates sititng their first Synoptic Exam {% embed url="" %} Synoptic Browser Extension Candidate Demonstration {% endembed %} System configurations may need to be granted to ensure Google Chrome has permissions and access to webcams and screens. Some school or business devices have this disabled by default.
Enable Google Chrome screen recording on MacOS [Step by step guide](https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/mac-help/mchld6aa7d23/mac)
Enable Google Chrome screen recording on Windows [Step by step guide](https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/office/troubleshoot-camera-microphone-and-screen-recording-permissions-for-stream-on-sharepoint-4b5ba409-0651-4416-8112-c0019a7f85dd)
## Troubleshooting / FAQs #### **1. Chrome Version & Compatibility Issues** ❓ *"I got an unclear error message, and Synap wouldn’t work until I updated Chrome."* **Solution:** * Synap **supports older versions of Chrome**, but we **highly recommend** keeping Chrome up to date to avoid compatibility issues. * To check and update Chrome: 1. Open Chrome. 2. Click the three-dot menu (**⋮**) in the top-right corner. 3. Go to **Help** → **About Google Chrome**. 4. If an update is available, install it and restart Chrome. * If installation is **slow**, it could be due to your **internet speed**—try connecting to a stronger network. *** #### **2.Screen Sharing Not Recognised** ❓ *"Synap says I'm not sharing my screen, even though I am."* **Solution:** * Some computers have settings that **restrict sharing only one window at a time**, instead of the whole screen. * Make sure you **select ‘Entire Screen’** when prompted. * If your screen **still isn’t recognised**, try: * Restarting Chrome. * Checking if another app (Zoom, Teams, etc.) is interfering with screen sharing. * Restarting your computer and trying again. **Important:** Synap **cannot override your computer’s privacy settings**. If your system blocks screen sharing, we cannot detect why—so ensure permissions are enabled. *** #### **3.Repeated Screen Sharing Prompts** ❓ *"Synap keeps asking me to confirm my screen sharing every few seconds."* **Solution:** * If you don’t **select ‘Entire Screen’**, Synap will ask you to **confirm again.** * When prompted, always select **Entire Screen** instead of an individual window. * Make sure you've granted screen sharing permissions to Google Chrome * [Guide to enable Google Chrome screen recording on MacOS](https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/mac-help/mchld6aa7d23/mac) * [Guide to enable Google Chrome screen recording on Windows](https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/office/troubleshoot-camera-microphone-and-screen-recording-permissions-for-stream-on-sharepoint-4b5ba409-0651-4416-8112-c0019a7f85dd) *** #### **4.Camera Not Working with Synap** ❓ *"My camera stops working when Synap is running, but works fine otherwise."* **Solutions** **Check Chrome Permissions:** * Go to **chrome://settings/content/camera** * Ensure **Synap/Synoptic** is **allowed** to use the camera. **Mac Users: Check System Preferences:** * Go to **System Settings** → **Privacy & Security** → **Camera**. * Ensure **Google Chrome** has access. **Try Restarting Chrome & Your Device** * If permissions were recently changed, Chrome might need to restart to recognise them. *** #### **5.Sleep Mode & Session Issues** ❓ *"If my computer goes into sleep mode, I have to confirm all permissions again."* **Solution** * If your device **goes to sleep**, Chrome may **pause Synoptic’s background processes**, requiring **reconfirmation** of permissions. * Before your exam, **disable sleep mode**: * **Windows**: Go to **Settings** → **Power & Sleep** → Set "Sleep" to **Never**. * **Mac**: Go to **System Settings** → **Battery** → Set "Turn display off" to **Never**. ❗ **Does this count as a breach?**\ Not necessarily, but it could **interrupt the proctoring session**. Avoid this by **keeping your device awake**. *** #### **6.MacBook Users Need to Restart Chrome** ❓ *"After starting the exam, I had to close Chrome, re-confirm laptop settings, and restart."* **Solution:** * **MacOS does not grant permissions until an app requests them**. * If permissions were **not granted before the exam**, you may need to **restart Chrome after granting them**. * **Before the exam**, go to **System Settings** → **Privacy & Security** → Check permissions for: * **Screen Recording** * **Camera** * **Microphone** * **Restart Chrome** to ensure changes take effect. #### **7. Issues loading Synap, question content or Synoptic** ❓ *"I'm having problems launching Synoptic."* **Solution:** * Ensure that the following domains are whitelisted on your network ``` https://<>.synap.ac/ # or your custom CNAME domain if using one https://synap.ac/ https://api.synap.ac/ https://web-app-assets.synap.ac/ https://service.prod.api.synap.ac/ https://synap-files-prod.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/ https://widget.synap.ac/ https://files.synap.ac/ https://k9v6y2xuhl.execute-api.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/ ``` *** There is a detailed candidate guide below which includes a video walkthrough of sitting a synoptic exam. You can use this guide to help with instructions or pinned note pages on platforms as well as the content above. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://academy.synap.ac/doc/exams/proctoring-with-synoptic/install-levels/synoptic-browser-extension/sitting-a-synoptic-browser-extension-exam.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.