Everything you need to know about remote proctoring

Remote proctoring is the concept of performing a proctor’s duties in an online environment. The exam taker takes the exam from their own location, rather than at a physical testing center.

The proctor’s tasks, with the assistance of automated software, includes confirming the identity of the test-takers and monitoring their computers screen and webcam during the exam to detect and prevent suspicious activity to ensure the integrity of the exam. The goal is to emulate the role of an on-site proctor as far as possible with the added assistance of the software to combat the challenges of the remote online setting. The meaning of a remote proctored exam is to ensure cheating-free tests, despite being held remotely, and allowing anyone from anywhere to participate. However, it would be a mistake to believe that a remote exam would mean it is worse supervised than in-person.

Imagine a normal physical exam, but in an online setting, with added functionality and flexibility – that is essentially remote proctoring. Remote proctoring services allow institutions to reliably monitor the examination process and prevent any type of cheating from happening by a wide range of different tools and features such as lockdown browsers, live and recorded proctoring of the test-takers webcam and screen, as well as AI proctoring.

A remote proctored exam works in the following way:

1. The exam taker installs the remote proctoring software on their computer, to allow the proctor to monitor their screen and webcam.
2. The test-takers log into their personal account on the remote proctoring platform.
3. The identity of the test-takers is authenticated by the remote proctor, matching their student IDs and the video feed from their webcam. As soon as the identity has been verified, the exam can begin.
4. The students’ devices and browsers are locked down, allowing them to only access the provided websites sources and the exam.
5. During the exam, a live human proctor and AI-powered software monitor the student’s behavior to flag down any suspicious activities. If the software detects any suspicious activity, it will alert the proctor, who can then take appropriate action, such as ending the exam or flagging the exam taker for review.
6. The video and audio is recorded during the live proctoring, allowing the proctor to review the footage after the fact to resolve any ambiguous cases.

Apart from basic video and audio proctoring, remote exams may also include a number of various proctoring features such as mobile phone detection, browser lockdown, suspicious behavior detection, and much more to prevent cheating.

Remote proctoring software offers various methods to detect and prevent cheating during an online exam. Some of the ways remote proctoring can prevent cheating include:

1. Screen and webcam monitoring: The exam taker's computer screen and webcam is monitored in real-time, either manually by the proctor or by AI, to detect any suspicious activity. This can include detecting the use of prohibited resources, such as textbooks or notes, or detecting that the exam taker has left the camera view.
2. Facial recognition: Some remote proctoring software uses facial recognition technology to ensure that the person taking the exam is the person who registered for the exam.
3. Audio detection: Background noise or voices are also monitored to prevent anyone in the room from helping the exam taker.
4. Mouse movement analysis: Remote proctoring software can track the exam taker's mouse movements to detect patterns that may indicate cheating.
5. Recording: The exam session is often recorded, which can be reviewed later by the proctor to ensure that no cheating occurred.
6. Proctor review: After the exam, the proctor reviews the recorded video of the exam session to ensure that no cheating occurred.
7. Security: Remote proctoring software uses various security measures, such as encryption and authentication, to ensure that the exam taker's data is protected from unauthorized access.

It's important to note that the effectiveness of remote proctoring in preventing cheating depends on the specific software being used, the implementation of security measures, and the integrity of the proctor reviewing the recorded video.

Flexibility

An online remote proctored exam allows anyone, anywhere to participate in the exam, where the instructor can also perform their duties as a supervisor wherever they like. An online proctored test eliminates the need for any physical location, saving both time and money for the students such as travel costs, and investments and arrangement of the physical test centers for the institution. 

Fair testing environment

A remote proctored exam provides a fair testing environment for all students. By preventing and deterring academic honesty (cheating), the students will know that the value of their education will remain strong while the institution can protect their reputation. 

Increased security

Using a combination of AI and automation and online “in-person” proctoring, remote proctoring prevents and deters cheating, ensuring the security and integrity of the exam. Earlier worries about academic dishonesty while performing an exam online is no longer a problem. Both high-stakes and low-stakes testing can now be done with the same safety as on campus. 

Cost-efficient & convenient

Remote exams result in significantly lower administrative costs for institutions as the requirement of physical examination centers and proctors is eliminated. The remote setting also benefits the test-takers, who can write the test from wherever they want, and won’t have to spend anything to get to and fro the examination location.

The future of remote proctoring looks bright as more and more organizations and educational institutions adopt online learning and testing. Remote proctoring offers a number of advantages over traditional in-person proctoring, including increased accessibility, convenience, and flexibility.

As technology continues to advance, remote proctoring systems will become even more sophisticated and user-friendly. This will make it easier for students to take exams remotely, while still ensuring that the integrity of the exam is maintained. Remote proctoring will also become more tightly integrated with online learning platforms, allowing for seamless and efficient testing experiences. This will enable students to take exams in a more natural and familiar environment, reducing the stress and anxiety often associated with traditional in-person testing.

Additionally, remote proctoring will become more widely accepted as a viable alternative to traditional in-person proctoring, leading to greater use in higher education and professional testing contexts. This will provide more opportunities for students to take exams remotely, regardless of their location, and will help to ensure that everyone has an equal chance to succeed.

Overall, the future of remote proctoring is promising, and it will play an increasingly important role in the world of education and professional testing.

Digiexam offers secure and robust remote proctoring services that powers the new, better, and more efficient world of exams, ensuring the integrity of the exam while empowering the teachers. All remote proctoring features in our platform are optional and configurable.

ID verification

Verify the identity of the students before the exam starts. This consists of taking a high-resolution face photo or submitting an identification card/passport matched against the student's profile.

Automated proctoring

During the exam, each student's activity is recorded in a session with automatic notifications from behavioral trackers. The screen and webcam are recorded and presented in the Proctor view.

In-person proctoring

Remote proctors (humans) may also monitor the students during the online exam and can intervene whenever they like if any issues arise.

Add mobile camera

Our remote proctoring add-on supports additional smartphone cameras in addition to the webcam. The student connects a mobile/smartphone camera quickly and easily to the session using a QR code.

Open chat

The chat will log all flagged events and can also be used to notify or inform students during the exam. Students can also initiate a chat to request a break or similar.

Credibility report

In addition to the main session credibility report, you can also download a separate PDF after the exam. It includes the student’s profile and photo, a session card, distribution of events, and an average rating of the exam.

1. Create the exam

• Build the exam in the Digiexam platform. 
• Create a new exam or use a shared template from your colleagues.
• Choose the desired features for the remote proctoring according to your needs.

2. Verify students ID and start the exam 

• Match high-resolution face photos or an identification card/passport against the student’s profile.
• Lock students' devices to prevent cheating.
• Monitor the student’s screen and webcam during the exam, and flag any suspicious behavior. 

3. Review video and audio

• Review the credibility report.
• Review the recorded video and audio to identify suspicious behavior cheating retroactively.