Technology is changing everything about the workplace and what jobs require. To keep up, people are investing in credentialing programs to build new knowledge and skills, and companies of all sizes across nearly every industry are investing in employee training and development.
Regardless of what and how people learn, it has to realistically fit into their lives and align with how companies actually operate. All of that requires flexibility, technology that’s accessible and easy to use, and quality support when they need it.
But how do you verify their skills and knowledge? Employers need a reliable way to see what someone can actually do, and candidates need a legitimate way to prove it. So, you need an assessment process that’s credible, consistent, and secure.
Shifting from in-person to remote proctoring
Companies relied on in-person exams at testing centers for years and years. But online proctoring grew in popularity and stuck around far beyond COVID because it fits how the world works today.
Simply put, showing up to a testing center costs candidates time, and it can be a higher-cost option for organizationseven though there’s a lack of consistent evidence that in-person proctoring is better at catching cheating than online proctoring.
Different types of proctoring
There are several different types of remote proctoring, each with its own strengths and weaknesses.
Browser lockdown software
AI remote proctoring
Uses artificial intelligence to monitor remote exams, with no human oversight, which can negatively impact the experiences of test takers and exam administrators. For example, when the AI proctoring software uses sound detection (not voice detection), if a test taker sneezes, the AI flags the noise and could even kick them out of the proctored test.
For sound detection alone, imagine how many unimportant noises (coughing, tapping the desk, dog barking) could be flagged during tests that exam administrators must review afterward. Navigating through a tremendous amount of false flags is the greatest complaint about AI-based proctoring solutions.
Live remote proctoring
A live remote proctor monitors one or more test takers at once. Typically, this format is the most expensive, but not always the most effective because proctors may watch as many as 10 or 12 test takers simultaneously. For test takers, being watched can be distracting and stressful (and creepy).
Additionally, exam scheduling can be challenging for test takers in this format.
Challenges of only using live proctoring in professional education
Professional education programs have typically relied only on live remote proctoring. These proctoring companies boast low proctor-to-test taker ratios, but they ignore the fact that they cause more issues than they solve, they’re inconvenient, and they incrementally chip away at your bottom line with unexpected variable costs. such as low efficacy, inconvenience, rigidity, and high costs.
A quick Google search (or Reddit) will give you plenty of “Failure to Launch” and “Human Error” stories. Candidates share horror stories about proctoring platforms failing at the worst time, which leaves them unable to start or finish their exam.
To make it worse, many of them reach out for support and they wait… and they wait… and they wait. Some even said that their proctor didn’t actually show up at the time they had scheduled.
And the cherry on top: Some end up stuck rescheduling, paying extra fees, and missing deadlines through no fault of their own.
Honorlock’s smarter proctoring approach for professional education
The perfect blend of live proctoring & AI
In contrast to other online proctoring services, Honorlock offers a hybrid proctoring solution that combines AI monitoring with live remote proctors.
Our AI monitors the exam session and flags suspicious behavior. Then, a trained proctor reviews those flags and only intervenes if needed.
This approach avoids the downsides of using AI or live proctoring only. It’s secure and scalable to keep costs more predictable as volume grows.
To meet accreditor expectations and follow common best practices, your proctoring solution has to spot problems and address them right away, such as:
- Having unauthorized devices (e.g., a cell phone or tablet), notes, or tools in the workspace
- Wearing headphones or a smartwatch when not permitted
- Moving one’s face out of the frame or looking down at notes
On-demand live proctoring & support
Honorlock’s unique approach frees online test takers from the burden of scheduling (and rescheduling) proctored online exams. Our live test proctors and support team are available 24/7/365 so participants can take their exams when and where is most convenient and beneficial for them, without introducing obstacles such as driving, traffic, parking, waiting, or unexpected delays.
Secure assessments in any format
Honorlock’s flexible proctoring platform works for traditional online assessments (multiple-choice, true or false, etc.), but it can also be configured to secure:
- Live virtual interviews
- Technical interviews using real software
- Written assignments (typed or handwritten)
- Math tests requiring calculators or pen and paper
Our approach is intentionally different because it's better
No other remote proctoring service innovates and improves the online assessment experience by leveraging the best of both worlds—humanity combined with the power of our highly trained and responsive AI.
Schedule a demo with Honorlock
Read more articles
