Republic Polytechnic

Online Entrance Test

Instructions for Candidates
Contents
1. Overview ....................................................................................................................... 3
2. Schedule of Activities .................................................................................................... 3
3. Examination Code of Conduct & Rules ......................................................................... 4
4. Requirements for Room Setup ...................................................................................... 7
5. System Requirements for Primary Device (Laptop/Desktop/iPad) .............................. 11
6. System Requirements for Secondary Device (MobilePhone/Tablet) ........................... 11
7. Joining the Zoom Invigilation Room ............................................................................ 13
8. Installing & Launching the Respondus LockDown Browser ........................................ 15
9. Accessing the Entrance Test in RP’s Brightspace....................................................... 17

Page 2 of 20
Information is correct as of Jan 2024
1. Overview
This instruction for candidates contains all the information you will need to prepare you for the
entrance test.

The entrance test will be conducted online via Zoom and the Brightspace Learning Management
System, integrated with Respondus LockDown Browser.

You will need to have the following to sit for the online entrance test

• A primary device: Laptop, desktop or iPad with minimum system requirements as stated in
Section 5 of this document
• A secondary device: Mobile phone or tablet that is camera and audio-enabled, with minimum
system requirements as stated in Section 6 of this document.

If you have any queries about the Online Entrance Test, please contact us at
https://www.rp.edu.sg/service-excellence/contact-us.

2. Schedule of Activities
Please ensure that you are on time for all activities.

Date & Time Activity

(Singapore Time, UTC +8)
24 January 2024 (Wed)
• 2.00 pm to 4.30 pm
29 January 2024 (Mon)
• 4.30 pm to 6.00 pm
Technical Rehearsal 1 Note: Please ensure that
your room setup, primary
and secondary devices are
ready for the technical
rehearsals so that any
Technical Rehearsal 2 potential issues can be
identified and eliminated
before the actual test.

31 January 2024 (Wed) Online Entrance Test

• 9.30 am to 11.00 am • English (1.5 hours)
• 1.00 pm to 2.30 pm • Mathematics (1.5 hours)
• 4.00 pm to 5.30 pm • Science (1.5 hours)
Note: Candidates are to join the Zoom
link 45 minutes before the test starts for
verification of identity.

Page 3 of 20
Information is correct as of Jan 2024
3. Examination Code of Conduct & Rules
Code of Conduct

3.1. Attire
• Please ensure that you are properly dressed in smart casual attire.
• Hats, caps, and other articles of clothing that covers your face or blocks the view of
your screen from the invigilator are not allowed.

3.2. Prohibited Devices

• Headphones or earpieces are not allowed to be used during the test.
• Smart wearables such as smart watches and Google Glass are not allowed to be
worn during the test.
• Media players such as TVs, and smart devices such as Google Home and Alexa,
are not allowed to be in the room that you are taking the test in.
• Any other communication devices other than your laptop / desktop and mobile
phone are not allowed to be used during the test.

3.3. Academic Integrity

• Academic Misconduct is defined as any activity that tends to undermine the
academic integrity of the Polytechnic, and may include misrepresentation, deception,
dishonesty, or any act of falsification done by a candidate to influence a grade or
other academic evaluation. Academic Misconduct also includes intentionally
assisting other candidates in acts of dishonesty.
• During this online test, academically dishonest behaviour includes but is not limited
to:
i. Intentionally using or attempting to use unauthorised notes, books, dictionaries
(both in book and electronic form), or other media that is not specifically
permitted by the Invigilator.
ii. Having someone else with you in the same room during the test.
iii. Leaving the room, contacting anyone, or interacting with anything else besides
your laptop during the test.
iv. Moving or turning off the camera once the Invigilator has confirmed your
camera set up and position.
v. Speaking to, communicating, or interacting with other candidates in the Zoom
Invigilation Room.
vi. Disconnecting your desktop/laptop PC or smartphones before permitted by the
Invigilator.
vii. Using a virtual background or background blur in the Zoom Invigilation Room.
• Any candidate suspected of academic misconduct will be disqualified from
the test and will be barred from taking any remaining entrance tests that they
are scheduled for.

3.4. Confidentiality of the Exam Content

• The content of the exam must remain confidential and must not be filmed,
photographed, or reproduced in any way.

3.5. Examination Recording

Page 4 of 20
Information is correct as of Jan 2024
 • The entirety of the test will be recorded in Zoom. By sitting for the test, you consent
to being recorded for the entire duration of the test.
• The recordings will be stored securely for a period of 90 days following the entrance
test and will be deleted thereafter. The recordings will only be used for review and
investigation in the event of any potential infringement of the Examination Rules or
Code of Conduct.
• Candidates who refuse to be recorded or to turn on their cameras will be disqualified
from the test.

Examination Rules

• You will not be allowed to leave the test or leave the room once the test has started.
Please visit the washroom before the start of the test.

• Check that you meet all the room and system requirements required to take the test.

• Please ensure that your laptops, computers and any other devices used for this test
is in good functioning order and have uninterrupted power supply and internet
connection throughout the duration of the test.

• Your identity will be verified before the examination starts. Please prepare and have
ready your passport or identity card that clearly shows your face. For students with
passports or identity cards that are not in English, please prepare the notarised
translated document as well.

• During the test, you are required to use a primary and secondary device with the
following settings

Device Video Audio Speaker Power

Primary
(Laptop /
Desktop) - OFF OFF OFF
use for
taking test
No screen-saving or sleep mode at all
Secondary
times. Both devices must remain “ON”
(Mobile
throughout the test.
Phone /
Tablet) - ON ON 50%
use for
invigilation
via Zoom

• Ensure that you are always visible on the secondary device’s camera during the test.
Your upper torso, including hands, must always remain visible to the camera of the
secondary device.

• During the test, if you need to communicate with the Invigilator, raise your hand and
wait patiently for assistance. Do not speak into the microphone or make any other
noise to attract attention.

Page 5 of 20
Information is correct as of Jan 2024
• Remain in the Invigilation Room in Zoom for the entire duration of the test, even if you
have finished answering the questions and submitted the test.

• If you are completely disconnected during the test, you may be disqualified.

• You will not be given any extra time if you are late for the test. The time left to attempt
the test would also include the time taken for invigilators to perform the necessary
verifications and room scan.

Additional Rules for Candidates taking the Mathematics and/or Science Paper

• You will be allowed to use an electronic calculator that is

(i) non-programmable
(ii) battery-operated only
(iii) silent and
(iv) without any remote communication capability.

• You must ensure that your calculator is in good working condition. Request for
replacement during the test will not be allowed.

• Instruction manuals, external storage media and other peripherals are not permitted.

• You may prepare sheets of blank writing paper for your own workings. Please note that
these workings will not be submitted for the test. Before the test, you will be required to
show each sheet of paper to the Invigilator to ensure that they are empty.

Test Paper Number of blank sheets allowed

Mathematics 3
Biology 1
Chemistry 1
Physics 1
Combined Science (Biology, Chemistry) 1
Combined Science (Chemistry, Physics) 1
Combined Science (Biology, Physics) 1

Page 6 of 20
Information is correct as of Jan 2024
4. Requirements for Room Setup
During the test, you will need to be in a private and enclosed space such as your home.
Please ensure that the room is properly set up according to the requirements below. Failure
to do so may lead to your disqualification from taking the test.

4.1. Preparing your room for the Entrance Test

• Select a room that is private, quiet, and has a door that can be closed.

• The room should be cleared of furnishing as much as possible (e.g. posters,

bookshelves, display items).

• Ensure that you have a stable internet connection in the room, even when the room door
is closed. It is strongly recommended that you use a wired connection if possible.

• There should be a power outlet near your table to provide a continuous source of power-
supply during the test. Alternatively, please ensure that your devices are fully charged
and can last for more than 3 hours when fully charged.

• Arrange your table, chair, primary and secondary devices such that your secondary
device (mobile phone or tablet) is beside your chair, providing a clear view of your screen,
your hands, the room door, and your immediate surroundings including the space under
your table if possible.

• Please setup your secondary device (mobile phone or tablet) in landscape mode.

• You will be asked to show your room and surroundings during the technical rehearsals
as well as the actual test day. Please ensure that you use the same setup for the
technical rehearsals and actual test day.

4.2. To minimise potential disruptions during the test, please:

• Ensure that both your primary and secondary devices can stay connected for the entire
duration of the test i.e. they should
i. be fully charged or connected to the power supply,
ii. have sleep-mode or power-saving mode disabled, and
iii. have a stable internet connection.

• Lock your room door and prepare your family members in advance by informing them
not to make excessive noise outside the room.

Page 7 of 20
Information is correct as of Jan 2024
4.3. Examples of Acceptable Room Setups for Entrance Test

Depending on your physical environment, your set-up may differ from the examples shown
below. It may be acceptable as long as you fulfil all the criteria listed in section 4.1 above.

Example 1:
Desktop/
Closed laptop
room door

Chair Mobile Phone

with camera –
placed on
Room is clear of another empty
other furnishings table / shelf

✓ Clear view of the door

✓ Door is closed and can be locked

✓ Room is mostly cleared of other furnishings

✓ Mobile phone has a clear view of laptop

screen and the immediate surroundings
including the space underneath the table

✓ Mobile phone has a clear view of your upper

torso including your hands.

View from mobile phone camera

Page 8 of 20
Information is correct as of Jan 2024
 Example 2:

Closed
Room is clear of room door
other furnishings

Desktop/
laptop

Chair

Mobile Phone with camera

– placed on another empty
table / shelf

✓ Clear view of the door

✓ Door is closed and can be locked

✓ Room is mostly cleared of other furnishings

✓ Mobile phone camera has a clear view of

laptop screen and the immediate
surroundings including the space
underneath the table

✓ Mobile phone has a clear view of your upper

torso including your hands

View from mobile phone camera

Page 9 of 20
Information is correct as of Jan 2024
4.4. Examples of Unacceptable Room Setups for Entrance Test

Please avoid these setups:

Example 3:

 There are some books / files in the room

 The room door is not in view

 The laptop screen cannot be seen

 The space underneath the table is hidden

from view

View from mobile phone camera

Example 4:

 There are many books on the bookshelf

 The room door is not in view

View from mobile phone camera

Example 5:

 The area is too open

 There is no room door

View from mobile phone camera

Page 10 of 20
Information is correct as of Jan 2024
5. System Requirements for Primary Device (Laptop/Desktop/iPad)
5.1. You will need to download and install the Respondus LockDown Browser on your
primary device (laptop, desktop, or iPad).

Respondus LockDown Browser System Requirements

Supported Operating Systems
• macOS X 10.13 to 13.0+
• Windows 11 / 10 (S Mode is not supported)
• iPadOS 11.0+

RAM (Memory)
• Windows / Mac: Minimum 2GB of available RAM

Hard Disk Space

• Windows / Mac: At least 200MB of free hard disk space

5.2. Brightspace is supported on the following desktop / tablet platforms with the latest
browser versions:

Platform Apple Safari Google Chrome Microsoft Edge Mozilla Firefox

Apple Mac OS Yes Yes Yes Yes
Microsoft Windows No Yes Yes Yes
iPad OS Yes No No No

Page 11 of 20
Information is correct as of Jan 2024
6. System Requirements for Secondary Device (Mobile
Phone/Tablet)
You will need to join the Entrance Test Invigilation Room in Zoom via your mobile phone or
tablet. This will be your camera during the test.

Zoom System Requirements for Tablets and Mobile Devices

Supported Operating Systems
• iOS 11* or later
• iPadOS 13 or later
• Android 5.0x or later
• Surface PRO 2 or higher, running Windows 8.1 or higher
• Tablet PCs running Windows 10 Home, Pro, or Enterprise. S Mode is not supported. Tablet
PCs only support the desktop client.

Processor Requirement
• Any 1 Ghz single core processor or better (non-Intel)

Supported Browsers for Web Start

• iOS/iPadOS: Safari5+, Chrome
• Android: Webkit (default), Chrome

Bandwidth recommendations
The bandwidth used by Zoom will be optimized for the best experience based on the
participants’ network. It will automatically adjust for 3G or Wi-Fi.

Recommended bandwidth over Wi-Fi:

• At least 2.6Mbps upload and download speeds for 720p HD video

If you are unsure of your bandwidth, you can conduct a test here: Speedtest

Page 12 of 20
Information is correct as of Jan 2024
7. Joining the Zoom Invigilation Room
Before the test, please download and install the Zoom Meetings app on your secondary
device. You may refer to the installation guide on the Zoom Support website if you need step
by step instructions.

The Invigilation Room will open 45 minutes before the scheduled start of the test. Please
refer to the section Schedule of Activities for more details. Do take note that all times
mentioned are in Singapore Time (UTC +8).

Step 1: To join the Invigilation Room, click on the link that was shared with you in our email.
The link will look something like this:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88123456789?pwd=1234abc

Step 2: Your Zoom Meetings app should open and

bring you directly to the invigilation room. Depending on
your connection, it may take up to a few minutes to load.

If you join the room too early, you will be placed in a

waiting room and will see the message “The meeting
host will let you in soon.” Please wait patiently for the
Invigilator to admit you.

Note: If it is your first time joining a Zoom link, Zoom will

prompt you to do an equipment check (i.e. camera, speakers,
and mic). Please follow the guided steps to complete the
check.

Page 13 of 20
Information is correct as of Jan 2024
 Step 3: Once you have joined the Invigilation Room,
please rename your Zoom identity according to the
format given in our email (e.g. 001_Jennifer Loh). To
do this, click on the ‘Participants’ tab, then tap and
hold on your name and select ‘Rename’.

Important: You are not allowed to blur your background or use a virtual background
during the online entrance test invigilation. Doing so will disqualify you from the
entrance test.

Page 14 of 20
Information is correct as of Jan 2024
8. Installing the Respondus LockDown Browser on Your Primary
Device
The Online Entrance Test will be conducted via RP’s Brightspace through the Respondus
Lockdown Browser on your primary device.

For laptop / desktop

Step 1: Before the test, please download and install the Respondus Lockdown Browser for
RP Brightspace from the following link:
https://download.respondus.com/lockdown/download.php?id=318110251

Step 2: Click on ‘INSTALL NOW’ and the download should start automatically.

Step 3: Open the downloaded installer file and follow the guided instructions to install the
LockDown Browser.

Step 4: Once complete, you should be able to locate the LockDown Browser icon on your
Desktop.

Page 15 of 20
Information is correct as of Jan 2024
For iPad

In the App Store, search for ‘LockDown Browser’ by Respondus Inc. and click on ‘Get’ to
install the app on your iPad. You will need your Apple ID and Password in order to do so.
The App Store may also prompt you to use Face ID during the installation.

Page 16 of 20
Information is correct as of Jan 2024
9. Accessing the Entrance Test in RP’s Brightspace
Note: Please ensure that you have downloaded and installed the
Respondus Lockdown Browser before the Entrance Test

RP will create your Brightspace account prior to the Entrance Test. Upon the creation of the
account, you will receive an email with the user ID and password. Follow the steps below to
access RP’s Brightspace:

Step 1: In a supported web browser, go to https://politemall.polite.edu.sg/

Step 2: Click on the ‘Login’ button at the top right-hand corner.

Step 3: Select ‘Republic Polytechnic’.

Step 4: Enter the User_ID and password given in your email. Click on ‘Yes’ if you are
asked to stay signed in.

Page 17 of 20
Information is correct as of Jan 2024
Step 5: Click on ‘My Courses’ and select ‘RP Courses’ in the drop-down menu.

Step 6: A new tab will open, and you should be able to see all the entrance tests that
you are scheduled to sit for under ‘My Courses’. Click on the test that you are
sitting for (e.g. Science).

Step 7: In the next page, under the ‘Upcoming events’, click on the entrance test.

Page 18 of 20
Information is correct as of Jan 2024
Step 8: Scroll down to the bottom of the instruction page and click on ‘Test Name –
Requires Respondus LockDown Browser’

Step 9: Next, scroll down to the bottom of the summary page and click on the ‘Launch
LockDown Browser’ button.

Note: If you have not previously installed the LockDown Browser, you can click on
‘Download and install the latest version of LockDown Browser’ before you proceed.

Step 10: In the pop-up message, click on the ‘Open LockDown Browser’ button.

Page 19 of 20
Information is correct as of Jan 2024
For iPad: Click on ‘Yes’ when prompted to Confirm App Self-Lock

Step 11: The LockDown Browser will launch and scan your system. If the LockDown
Browser detects some background processes, it will prompt you to close them.
Click on the ‘Close Process’ button for all processes that appear.

Step 12: Once you have closed the necessary processes, you will need a password
from the invigilator to access the test. Note that the ‘Start’ button will only be
visible within the test’s available date and time. Please wait for the invigilator
to give the cue before you click on the ‘Start’ button.

Page 20 of 20
Information is correct as of Jan 2024