Everything you need to know about remote proctoring and how it works.
What is remote proctoring?
Remote proctoring is the use of software and/or live proctors to:
- Record and monitor test takers’ behavior
- Verify identity
- Protect test content
- Prevent cheating
What are the types?
Proctoring comes in many forms. Some use software to handle basics like blocking the browser, while others have humans watching or AI looking out for things like phones and background noise.
There isn’t a single best way to proctor a test—just the one that works best for your organization.
Expand the chart below to see descriptions of each type of proctoring, along with their pros and cons.
Software that restricts access to other websites and applications during online assessments and prevents keyboard shortcuts, like copying and pasting.
Benefits: inexpensive, scalable, and available on-demand.
Challenges: doesn't really prevent cheating; students can still use their phones, notes, etc.
Monitors online exams exclusively using AI (in addition to a browser lock).
Benefits: inexpensive, scalable, available on-demand, generally offers diverse tools to monitor behavior and prevent cheating.
Challenges: needs human oversight because overly sensitive AI may flag unimportant things, like students coughing. Over-flagging is distracting students and this over-flagging means faculty have to review tons of unnecessary flags.
Live proctors (humans) monitor multiple students simultaneously, no AI monitoring.
Benefits: human oversight to handle more nuanced situations when cheating behaviors aren't cut and dry.
Challenges: expensive, scheduling hassles, distracting for students because a person is watching the whole time, it's easy to miss problematic behaviors because they're typically watching 10 or more students at once.
Records exam sessions (video & audio), then the instructor (or institution's staff) or the proctor service reviews after the exams are finished.
Benefits: human oversight during review
Challenges: no real-time intervention, tedious and slow process, expensive when outsourced
Combines live and automated proctoring (including browser locks).
Hybrid proctoring uses AI to monitor exam sessions, which alerts a live proctor if it detects potential cheating. After the proctor is alerted, they can review a recording of the situation and intervene if necessary.
Benefits: AI with human oversight means students won't be interrupted unless it's really necessary, no scheduling issues, certain pricing models can be cost-effective
Challenges: some pricing models are expensive
Tools and features to protect academic integrity
Each proctor service uses different tools, but here's a list of some your organization should look for if you're comparing services:- Video monitoring: uses the webcam to verify ID and record behavior during the proctored exam.
- Voice detection: flags most noises during exams, such as talking, music, dogs barking, etc. Different from voice detection.
- Cell phone detection: detects when test takers try to use cell phones and other devices during proctored exams and the presence of Apple devices in the testing area.
- Find leaked test content: automatically searches the internet for leaked test questions and provides one-click takedown requests.
- Analytics Hub™: provides easily filterable, in-depth reports with actionable insights into test integrity that streamline review a 360-degree view of academic integrity.
- AI prevention: several tools block the use of AI, like ChatGPT, to prevent cheating before it starts.
How do proctored exams work?
Before the exams start: test takers use the webcam to verify their identity and scan the room for unauthorized resources, like cell phones, notes, and even other people.
During the exams: exams are monitored through video, audio, and other AI tools and/or a live remote proctor, depending on the service.
After the exams: ideally, the proctoring service will provide test admins with time-stamped reports with recordings of flagged behavior to review.
LMS integration: the remote proctoring platform should integrate directly with the LMS, which improves security, doesn’t require extra passwords and logins, and basically makes it the same experience with the exception of a few clicks (instructors just click to choose the proctoring features they want to use and test takers login to the LMS and take the test in the same environment).
What industries proctor exams online?
Remote proctoring is used in higher education and professional education.
- Colleges and universities of all shapes and sizes proctor exams to protect the academic integrity of while supporting test takers throughout.
- Companies and credentialing organizations proctor certification and licensure exams to protect proprietary test content, prevent cheating, and offer candidates more flexibility and convenience.
Integrating remote proctoring with your LMS
Integrating remote proctoring software with your LMS can be the difference between a quick and secure implementation and one that could compromise data security and create a frustrating experience for test takers and administrators.
Proctoring platforms typically integrate with Canvas, Blackboard, Moodle, D2L, and Intellum. Some proctoring companies offer custom integration toolkits to create tailored integrations that meet your specific needs.
How much does proctoring cost?
The cost of proctoring depends on the type and the company, but keep these in mind when comparing proctoring services:
- Look for flat-rate proctoring to avoid variable costs: unexpected costs can add up quickly if the proctoring service charges per hour for exams, so find a remote proctoring service with a flat rate cost per exam or test taker.
- Make sure support costs are included
- Do test takers have to pay extra to reschedule a proctored exam?