What Is Virtual Exam Proctoring?

What Is Virtual Exam Proctoring?

virtual exam

Are you wondering to yourself how I can do my proctored exam online and get the high grades that I always wanted to achieve?

If you said yes to the question above, you are not alone!

Ever since COVID 19 took over the entire world things changed entirely. Many sectors have to shift entirely. Some had to evolve into a virtual environment in order to keep going. There is no sector in the entire world that was affected more than the educational sector.

It may come as a surprise to you, but the educational sector suffered a lot during this time. However, with time it learns to grow and thrive in a virtual environment.

The biggest issue that they faced was regarding how they can conduct exams and ensure that students are not cheating their way out of courses. This is where the concept of an online proctored exam came into being. The idea is that you can take your exam online yet there is someone to look after you as you do so.

If you are someone who is new to this concept and is thinking to themselves about how I can do my proctored exam online, fret no more as you are in the right place!

In this post, we will talk about everything you need to know about virtual exam proctoring and how you can get into it to get high grades. In addition, we will get into all the nitty-gritty when it comes to the virtually proctored exam. Hence, make sure to read it till the very end!

We have tried our best to depict an illustration of what the entire remote proctored exam looks like. At the same time, it will aid learners in understanding their responsibilities, whether you are a student or an exam authority.

What are Online Proctored Exams?

You might be thinking to yourself how I can do my proctored exam online? However, before getting into it you first need to know what online proctored tests really are.

To put it in simple words, online proctored exams are papers that have a time constraint that you are required to take while some proctoring software will look after your computer screen. Not only this, but it also monitors you through your video and audio recording. In addition, all of the data recorded by this proctoring software is then transferred to their service for further review. They do this by having a human invigilator to ensure that the software has not flagged anything incorrectly. Some proctored exams also check your video with your ID card to ensure you aren’t asking someone else to sit on your behalf.

So essentially, an online proctored test is simply like any other test but with an online structure that is there to support all related activities. And the most important part is that there is invigilation, in order to keep the sanctity of the test room.

How Does Online Proctored Software Work?

Now that you know exactly what online proctored exams are, let’s get into how they actually work.

If you paid enough attention to the heading, you will see the term software. Having dynamic, robust, and reliable software is what makes or breaks any online proctoring service.

Authentication of the Students

Similar to offline proctoring, remote proctoring also starts with authentication. Your online proctoring software initially checks your authenticity. It does so to make sure that no one else is giving your exam on your behalf. This way it eliminates any suspicious behaviour that might occur during the exam.

Even before your paper begins, the online proctoring software makes sure that you are not only sharing your screen but also your audio and video recording. This makes impersonation near to impossible. The online proctoring system mostly asks their students to show their photo ID at the start of the test to ensure the right person is still at the right place.

Real-time monitoring of Students

Then the next very step revolves around monitoring students as they give their proctored exam. Most of the time an algorithm consistently looks after candidates in order to flag any suspicious cases. To explain it further, an AI algorithm that flags scenarios doesn’t only do it when the person is not available on the screen. It also looks after if an electronic device is detected, or someone else is available in the room or your eyes are moving in an unusual way.

Data Storage and Review

Although the suspicious flags are raised in real-time, the audio and video recording information of the test is then stored on the cloud. This way once your exam is over, the instructor goes over it and reviews each case.

Can I Cheat During my Online Exam?

This is a question that comes to every student and instructor’s mind. In fact, if we look at proctored services sales teams they will say this is the most asked question.

What if I look up the correct answer on the internet? What if I open an eBook on the side to copy answers? Or what if I have a phone nearby or a person is there to guide me through the exam?

Before we get into the right answer, you must know that none of the above-mentioned things can actually happen while giving an online proctored exam.

For example, proctoring software makes sure to disable the web search function. At the same time, your screen sharing feature helps your instructor monitor your entire exam. In fact, all your records are saved as well for detailed viewing.

How can I do my Proctored Exam Online

Now to answer your question, how can I do my proctored exam online.Let’s understand what are some dos and don’ts that you should know about when it comes to proctored exams.

Weeks before your tests you need to ask your instructor about an exam so that they can guide you with things that are allowed in the exam. Below are some dos that you should be aware of:

  • It is important for you to have a working webcam and microphone while taking your exam.
  • You need to sit behind a plain background.
  • Make sure that your room has proper lighting.
  • The room should be as silent as possible.
  • Make sure that during the exam you stay alone in the room entirely.
  • Keep a good amount of sheets with you before starting the examination.

Now that you know what you should do, here are some things you should avoid.

  • Try not to close your exam window at any time as the online proctored software is monitoring throughout. If you do anything suspicious it will cancel your exam.
  • Make sure that you are not talking with anyone else while giving your test.
  • You are not allowed to use any devices while doing your exams such as Bluetooth speakers or mobile phones.
  • Not only this, do not use more than one device to do your exam. If your software detects it, your exam will be cancelled.
  • A test screen will appear as the exam starts, make sure to not leave it.

Conclusion

While giving a proctored exam might not be something you are completely comfortable with, this article will help you in understanding its know-how better.

Author Bio:

James Cordon has an ongoing affair with the words that capture readers’ attention. His passion for writing dates back to his pre-blogging days. He loves to share his thoughts related to education technology and business.