Proctored exams are almost never open book. The fundamental purpose of proctoring is to ensure academic integrity by preventing unauthorized resource access. You must assume all proctored exams are closed book unless you receive explicit, written instruction stating otherwise.

Key reasons why proctored exams are not open book include:

Core Integrity Principle: Proctoring exists to verify that your work is entirely your own. Allowing external materials contradicts this primary security function.
Standardized Assessment: Most proctored exams, like placement tests (Accuplacer) or certification exams (CompTIA, Cisco), are designed to measure recall and application under secure conditions.
Explicit Prohibition: Proctoring software requires a pre-exam room scan to confirm the absence of books, notes, or secondary devices. Their presence can lead to immediate exam termination.

In the rare case a proctored exam is open book, the instructor or institution will provide unambiguous, advance authorization detailing exactly which materials are permitted. Without this explicit directive, you must operate under the strict assumption that no external resources are allowed. Preparing for proctored exams, therefore, relies on thorough prior study and mastery of the material, not on access to references during the test.