What is online proctoring?

Online proctoring monitors test takers’ behavior using software or services, or both. Test proctoring software often includes video and audio monitoring, browser lockdown software, and ID verification to prevent students from cheating on exams. Some proctoring companies also offer cell phone detection, technology to find leaked test content, ways to stop ChatGPT, and smart voice detection.

What are the types of online proctoring?

There are four common methods of online exam proctoring:

  • Browser lockdown: entry-level software that prevents access to other sites
  • Automated proctoring (AI): monitors behavior using AI proctoring software
  • Live proctoring:  test proctors monitor test takers in real time
  • Blended proctoring: combines automated and live proctoring

Can online proctoring prevent the use of ChatGPT?

Some proctoring solutions have a variety of tools that prevent the use of ChatGPT and other AI writing tools during online exams. This is more important than ever because plagiarism checkers have proven ineffective at detecting AI-generated content.

Here’s how online proctoring can stop ChatGPT during online exams:

  • As a starting point, instructors can lock down the browser, but you’ll need a lot more than that
  • Using cell phone detection, smart voice detection, and video monitoring to make sure test takers aren’t using their phones or other devices to use ChatGPT or ask voice assistants to navigate those AI tools 
  • Restricting keyboard shortcuts like copying and pasting information from ChatGPT to the exam activity and flagging the action

How does online proctoring work?

With a blended proctoring solution, which is the most comprehensive approach, instructors create the test in the LMS, choose the proctoring features they want to enable or disable, and provide proctor instructions for accommodations and test rules. For test takers, they’ll log into the LMS like they normally do, verify their ID, and launch the exam. 

During the proctored assessment, AI proctoring software monitors each test taker and alerts a live proctor if it detects any problematic behavior. The proctor can review the situation to determine if they need to intervene or not. After the proctored exams are complete, instructors can review actionable reports and time-stamped recordings within the LMS. 

Online proctoring tools and features

Common proctoring tools for online exams

  • Video monitoring: uses the webcam to record behavior
  • Browser locking: prevents access to other sites
  • Audio monitoring: listens for sounds (different from voice detection)
  • ID verification: verifies identity before starting the exam

Advanced online proctoring tools

More advanced tools that very few proctoring companies provide:

  • Cell phone detection: Detects device sharing apps, like Apple Handoff, and when test takers try to use cell phones to access test bank content
  • Finding leaked test content: automatically searches the internet for leaked test questions and provides one-click takedown requests
  • Smart Voice detection: listens for keywords like “Hey Siri,” then records audio and provides a transcript of what was said
  • Live Pop-in: AI proctoring technology monitors each test taker and alerts a remote live proctor if it detects potential academic dishonesty. Then, the proctor can review the situation in an analysis window to determine whether to intervene in real time or not. This way, the test taker won’t be interrupted unless necessary.

How much does online proctoring cost?

The cost of online proctoring depends on the type of proctoring and the company you partner with.

Proctoring pricing has a lot of variables, but here are a few tips to keep in mind:

  • Look for flat rate proctoring costs: variable costs can add up quickly, like exams that run longer than expected, so it’s important to find online proctoring with a flat rate cost per exam or test taker.
  • Checking the box or worth the investment? Consider whether the proctoring solution just checks the box or if it’s actually worth the investment. For example, browser lockdown software is usually cheap but not really worth the investment because test takers can just use cell phones or any other prohibited resources. What’s the point?

Online proctoring and LMS integration information

Integrating the online proctoring platform with the LMS can be the difference between a great user experience and a poor experience that puts security at risk. A direct LMS proctoring integration means that it’s almost the same experience for instructors and test takers because the exams launch out of the LMS like normal. This direct integration should also mean that no extra passwords or logins are required. 

The proctoring platform should integrate with your LMS, whether Blackboard Learn, Canvas, Moodle, D2L Brightspace, or Intellum. Some proctoring services also provide custom integration toolkits, giving you the ability to create a tailored integration that meets your specific needs.

What is a proctored exam like for test takers?

A proctored exam can mean a few different things, depending on the type used. But at a high level, it requires test takers to launch the proctoring software (ideally through the LMS) before starting the online exam, and if video monitoring is used, they typically scan the room for unauthorized resources (cell phones, notes, etc.) and verify identity.

What types of exams can be proctored?

If blended proctoring is used, pretty much any exam can be proctored, such as:

  • Traditional exams: multiple choice, true or false, etc.
  • Paper-based exams: handwritten assessments, like math or essays
  • Online authentic assessments: completing tasks within software like Excel; virtual presentations and demonstrations; group projects, etc.
  • In-person exams in a testing center: physical testing centers can use remote proctoring

Why use online proctoring?

Proctoring online exams helps prevent cheating, support test takers, lower testing costs, protect reputation, and meet standards to receive federal funding. Additionally, online proctoring gives instructors more time to teach during classroom hours and training time instead of administering assessments. Proctored testing software also helps create an accessible exam experience by integrating with assistive devices and allowing instructors to provide accommodations for specific test takers.

Online proctoring for higher education accreditation requirements

Many institutions that receive specific funding are required to verify student identity through one or more of the following methods: online remote proctoring, new technologies to verify and authenticate identity, and a secure login and password through the LMS.

Honorlock online proctoring software and services

What is Honorlock?

Honorlock provides blended proctoring combines AI with live proctoring to make online assessments simple, easy, and human. 

Honorlock’s blended solution monitors each exam session and alerts a live, US-based test proctor if it detects any potential problems. This provides our test proctors with the opportunity to enter the exam session and help the exam taker get back on track.

Whether its detecting cell phones and stopping ChatGPT or locking down the browser and listening for voices, you’ll have confidence that academic integrity is protected from start to finish.

Remote proctored testing is an ongoing advantage and a fundamental piece of teaching and learning. With seemingly endless proctoring technology options available today, protecting the academic integrity of your online exams with remote exam proctoring is more important than ever.

See how Honorlock works