How to Pass My Online Proctored Exam
Online proctored exams are assessments that you can take at your home or office, with a video stream of you taking the exam being used to ensure its integrity. The primary purpose is to increase convenience and flexibility, by letting people take their exams at any quiet place they like instead of having to commute to a university or professional testing center.
What is online proctoring?
The proctoring process typically involves the use of a webcam, microphone, and screen sharing to observe the test environment. The service either uses humans or software to monitor for suspicious activities, such as unusual eye movements, background noise, an extra person there to help, or the presence of unauthorized materials. Live proctors are more secure in that they can intervene if they detect any irregularities in real time. Online proctored exams represent a significant advancement in educational technology, balancing the need for convenience with the importance of fair and secure assessment practices.
Online proctored exams have existed for at least a decade, but they have become far more common since the onset of the pandemic. From K-12 assessments to university to pre-employment to high stakes, most people now accept that online proctored exams are part of life. If you are scheduled to take one and it is your first time, you’re likely curious about the experience. This post will provide a brief intro about what to expect and how to do as well as you can.
Why we need online proctored exams
This might seem like a total headache for you, but it is actually very important.
First of all, it ensures that everyone has the same opportunity to succeed, based on how much they know the material. It levels the playing field for all test-takers. How would you feel if you take a test to apply for a job, and you don’t cheat but the next person in line does?
Second, it also protects the integrity of the test. Posting exam items on the internet is downright theft, especially for high-stakes exams where thousands of dollars are spent on each question
Online proctored exams also offer significant benefits. They provide accessibility for students who may have geographical or physical constraints, and they reduce the logistical challenges and costs associated with traditional exam centers. Moreover, they allow institutions to uphold rigorous standards of academic integrity, even in a remote setting.
Types of online proctored exams
First, you must understand that there are actually several types of online proctored exams, and they can differ widely in the experience that you should expect!!!
| Type | Security Level | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Live Stream | High | You will have a live human watching your video stream at all times. Sometimes, there are two video streams: your computer, and your phone on a shelf (see example here). This human is usually a trained proctor, but sometimes it is just university staff. This approach is the most secure, because not only can they catch you cheating, but they can stop the test immediately. |
| Record & Review: | Medium-High | Your video will be recorded onto a server, for watching later by a human. They will record any flags they see. |
| Autoproctored/AI | Medium | Your video is recorded onto a server and “watched” by an AI algorithm, which flags you for clearly definable events: no faces on the screen, two faces on the screen, human voices, etc. |
| Lockdown Browser | Low | There is no video, but the test is delivered in a browser that locks down your computer so that you cannot visit other websites, run screen capture software, etc. This is usually used in conjunction with the other three, and often with in-person proctoring as well. |
Sometimes, there is a blend of these as well. You might have a live human to verify your ID and check you in, and then after that it is recorded for later review by human or AI.
How to pass an online proctored exam
Read that candidate/student handbook: This actually VERY important. It will not only tell you what to expect, but also tell you important information about the exam itself.
Practice test: If available, make sure to do this. It will help you understand the process, and feel much more confident come Exam Day.
Download beforehand: Some software for an online proctored exam will require you to download something, such as a secure browser or Chrome plugin. Make sure to do this before Exam Day. Sometimes, it is part of the Practice Test.
Watch instructional videos: Videos like the example above will help you see what to expect.
System check: Similarly, some software to deliver an online proctored exam will perform an automated system check to make sure that you have enough internet bandwidth, that your video is streaming well, etc. Do this before Exam Day, and sometimes it is also part of the Practice Test.
Know the rules: Make sure you are aware of the rules for your particular exam. Are you allowed a bottle of water? Bathroom breaks? Open-book?
Prepare the area: Once you know the rules, make sure your desk area is ready. Do you need to clean the top of your desk from all books and papers? Obtain an external webcam or microphone? Ask your roommates to leave? There are many things like this which might be required, and more than you can do in 30 seconds as you log into your exam.
Have water: If you are allowed water, make sure you have it ready, just in case.
Study: YES!!!!! Obviously, this is more important than anything else… if you actually know the material, you are more likely to pass. Cheating is not the way to go; it isn’t worth the risk if you could just take that effort and put it into actually studying.
Nathan Thompson, PhD
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