It’s safe to say that nursing students take A LOT of exams throughout their educational journey, and for good reason–because nurses save lives. While online nursing programs offer students flexibility and convenience, the programs themselves face a dilemma because exams can be difficult to protect without the right proctoring solution. Without online proctoring, test questions can end up online, students can use AI or phones to look up answers, and groups can work together during exams.
But finding the right solution for your exams can be tricky because there are several types of proctoring with different features and functionality, which we’ll discuss to help find the best solution to secure your programs’ assessments
Quick overview of how each type works
- Automated proctoring uses software and/or AI to monitor exams, restrict behaviors, and flag potential exam rule violations.
- Browser lockdown software is a type of automated proctoring that restricts what test takers can access during an exam, such as other websites, applications, keyboard shortcuts, copy and paste, and screen capture tools.
- Live proctoring uses human proctors to monitor multiple students in real time and intervene when/if they see suspicious behavior or exam rule violations.
- Hybrid proctoring combines AI monitoring with live human review. AI flags potential issues, and alerts a live proctor who, ideally, will review the behavior before deciding whether to intervene or not.
- Record and review captures exam audio, video, and screen activity for review after the exam by institutional staff or the proctoring provider.
What’s the best way to proctor online nursing exams?
The best proctoring solution for nursing exams is hybrid proctoring, also called blended proctoring, which combines AI monitoring with live human review. This type of solution is referred to as hybrid or blended proctoring.
This is the best approach because while AI proctoring (automated) is good, it isn’t perfect and neither are humans. Both have strengths, and they’re most effective when combined. Combining AI with live human review creates a noninvasive test environment with fewer distractions, streamlines the review process. and it works for many different exam formats, which is essential for nursing programs.
How does hybrid proctoring work?
Step-by-step summary of how hybrid solutions work
AI monitors behavior
Detects misconduct?
If potential misconduct is detected, the AI alerts a live proctor to review the behavior.
No misconduct, no intervention
A proctor only intervenes if misconduct occurred. If not, test takers aren't interrupted and admins won't need to review the flag.
Easy, focused review
Admins can filter reports to focus on important behavior and review timestamped HD recordings.
The same type can be a different experience
Two companies may offer the same type of proctoring, but the actual exam experience can be very different.
Here’s how different it can be when two different companies offer hybrid proctoring:
- Company A may pause the exam and have a proctor intervene whenever the AI flags possible misconduct, even when it’s unimportant behavior like a coughing.
- Company B sends flags to a live proctor, who reviews the behavior and only intervenes when necessary to address misconduct.
Nursing exams aren’t always multiple-choice test formats. They may require handwritten calculations, open-book materials, charting software, or equipment demonstrations, so ask how each company how their version of proctoring handles those real exam scenarios before you choose a provider.
What kinds of nursing exams can be proctored?
Virtually any nursing exam can be proctored just like you would in person, such as:
- Traditional exam formats such as multiple choice or true/false for entrance exams, licensure, and continuing education.
- Nontraditional online exam activities such as:
- Handwritten math and essays: Students complete dosage calculations along with an essay about patient safety and protecting privacy.
- Written assignments: Students write an essay within a word processor such as Microsoft Word or Google Docs; access to specific sites or case studies can be provided while blocking everything else.
- Virtual demonstrations and presentations: Students identify the parts of a specific medical device and show how it works.
- Using real nursing charting software and creating an explainer video: Students add mock patient information into the charting system and explain each step they complete.
Relevant resources
How can other exam proctoring features can help?
Blocking unauthorized AI tools
Proctored exams can prevent nursing students from using AI:
- Chatbots (e.g., ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini)
- Browser extensions
- Desktop assistants, also called “invisible assistants”
Honorlock can block all AI and applications by default. It also allows exam admins to select which applications they want to allow students to use. For example, they could give students access to a nursing-specific case study and allow them to respond to a prompt in Microsoft Word or Google Docs while still blocking all other applications.
The interactive example below shows what invisible AI assistants look like during an exam and during a virtual interview.
Detecting cell phones, smartwatches, and other devices
Most students have cell phones and/or other devices, such as smartwatches and tablets, so it’s important to make sure can’t use them during exams.
Instead of hoping a live proctor sees a student using a secondary device, look for a solution that detects when cell phones are present in the testing area and when students try to access test content on secondary devices.
Finding and removing leaked test content automatically
Have you ever found your test question leaked on the internet? It’s common and an unfortunate result of homework help sites and internet forums. However, some online proctoring software have features that can find and remove leaked test content. But, you’ll want to specifically ask how each company does it because it’ll save you a ton of time.
Which option sounds the best to you?
- Option 1: Manually clicking each and every test question you want the proctoring software to search for, wait for the results, and spend time sending takedown requests to each and every one.
- Option 2: Automatically search the internet for all of your test questions in a few minutes and send takedown requests in a single click.
Unless you like time consuming, manual tasks, you probably picked Option 2.
Monitoring and recording behavior and desktop activity
The webcam is used to monitor behavior during exams and to verify their identity and complete workspace check room before to the exam.
The software also records the desktop while preventing and flagging access to unauthorized websites and applications, resizing the exam screen, and blocking keyboard shortcuts and functions.
Integrating directly with the LMS
A direct integration between your LMS and the proctoring platform is a game changer that ultimately impacts the testing environment, ease of use, and data security.
The direct integration between Honorlock’s proctoring platform and the LMS creates a testing experience and environment that’s pretty much the same for educators and students with the exception of a few clicks. This integration also means no extra passwords or logins needed for students or educators.
- Exam admins can create exams just like they already do, and customize the proctoring settings with a few clicks. After exams are complete, in-depth exam reports and time-stamped recordings are available for exam admins without leaving the LMS.
- The experience is just as easy for students. They log into the LMS they’re already comfortable with, verify ID, and launch the exam. Students can also get on-demand multilingual live support during the exam without leaving the LMS.
Detecting voices instead of sounds
Most proctoring platforms use sound detection instead of voice detection. The terms sound similar, but they’re pretty different.
- Sound detection can trigger false flags for basically any noise, like coughing or a dog barking. That means irrelevant flags for instructors to review.
- Voice detection listens for specific keywords and phrases, like “OK Google,” to detect potential cheating and alerts a human proctor in real-time.
Some more advanced he proctoring systems take this a step further by providing a transcript of what the student said.
Locking the browser
Nursing educators and exam admins can enable a browser lock to prevent students from accessing other browsers and applications, restrict some keyboard functions, and record the student’s desktop.
However, browser lockdown software is an entry-level tool that really shouldn’t be the only proctoring technology used to secure any exams in your nursing program, especially if they’re high-stakes.
Streamlining exam review
The best remote proctoring software collects extensive data during the exam and provides actionable reports and time-stamped recordings within the LMS.
The proctored exam reports are in a simple format that’s easy to read and includes relevant information about student activity, like suspicious behavior and potential violations. The session viewer allows you to review proctored exam sessions from start to finish, in an easy-to-read, HD-video quality format.
Removing scheduling hassles and providing live support
Online nursing students may take tests before work, after clinicals, late at night, or on weekends, so they need 24/7/365 live support from REAL people, not chatbots, and they need it quickly. Imagine you need support during an important exam and you don’t get a response for hours. What’s the point?
The right proctoring service should also offer multilingual support and no exam scheduling, so students can get help, understand what to do, and start exams when they’re ready.
Part 2 hows you real examples of how to proctor nursing exam activities like:
- Nursing school entrance exams (in person and online)
- Handwritten essays and math problems, like dosing calculations
- Virtual demonstrations & presentations about how to use medical equipment
- Operating real software used at hospitals, like charting systems
- Open book and open note exams