An online proctored exam, also known as a remote proctored exam, is a remote assessment supervised through digital monitoring tools to ensure test integrity. Instead of taking the exam in a physical test center, candidates complete it online while their identity, behavior, and computer activity are monitored through technologies like webcam, microphone, screen recording, secure browsers, and AI-driven behavior analysis.
Online proctoring is a remote monitoring system used during online exams to ensure that students or candidates do not cheat and follow the exam rules. Candidates take the test online while software and/or human proctors supervise them through technology.
With online proctoring, candidates are monitored through their webcam, microphone, and screen. By combining these data sources, organizations can identify potential violations and protect the credibility of the assessment.
A proctored exam is a test that is supervised by an authorized person or system to ensure that the exam is taken fairly, securely, and without cheating. The test-taker’s behavior and activities are monitored throughout the test.
A proctoring tool is software designed to monitor online exams by verifying the test-taker’s identity, observing their behavior, and detecting suspicious activity. It replicates the oversight of an in-person exam room but in a digital environment.
Online proctored exams work by monitoring the test-taker’s identity, behavior, and on-screen activity during an online exam using a combination of webcam, microphone, and screen monitoring tools.
The proctor evaluates any suspicious behavior, such as repeatedly looking away, talking to someone off-camera, using unauthorized materials, or leaving the exam area. The proctor also supervises the test-taker’s screen to detect actions like switching tabs, opening applications, copying content, or accessing external resources.
The proctoring process can occur live during the exam or be recorded for review afterward. It can be performed by a human proctor, by AI, or through a combination of both.
Online proctoring can be implemented in several ways, depending on the goals of the exam and the level of supervision required. Each type serves a different purpose, offering various options for institutions and test administrators.
Live proctoring, also known as real-time proctoring, is a type of online exam monitoring where a human proctor monitors test-takers in real time using their webcam, microphone, and screen activity. It closely replicates the experience of being in a physical exam room.
Proctor and the candidate can communicate through a chat box to remind the candidate of rules, warn them about suspicious activity, or help with a technical issue. If the proctor notices unusual behavior like looking away frequently, speaking to someone off-camera, or attempting to open unauthorized tabs or applications, they can issue a warning or immediately terminate the exam.
Recorded proctoring, also known as post-proctoring, is a type of online exam monitoring where the test session is recorded and reviewed later, instead of being watched live. During the exam, the system records your webcam video, microphone audio, and screen activity. After the test, a human proctor reviews the recording to look for any signs of cheating or rule violations.
Automated proctoring, also known as AI proctoring, is a type of online exam monitoring that uses AI technology instead of a live human proctor to watch over the test. It works by using your webcam, microphone, and screen recording to automatically detect suspicious behavior, such as looking away from the screen too often, hearing other voices in the room, or detecting other faces in the camera. AI system records and analyzes these activities in real time, then flags unusual behavior for review by an instructor.
Online proctored exams can use different types of monitoring to ensure exam integrity and detect suspicious activity. These monitoring methods vary in their level of detail, frequency of analysis, and technical requirements.
Video proctoring uses the test-taker’s webcam to record or stream live video throughout the entire exam. This continuous footage allows the proctor or the AI system to observe the candidate’s face, movements, and surroundings in real time.
It helps detect behaviors such as looking away frequently, receiving help from someone off-camera, using unauthorized materials, or leaving the testing environment. Video proctoring provides the highest level of monitoring because it captures the full visual context of the exam session.
According to a study published in Frontiers in Education, video proctoring has a significant impact on test performance and behavior. When exams are unproctored, students are more likely to use forbidden resources, which can inflate scores. Video proctoring also affects how long students take to complete the exam, proctored students finish faster, while unproctored students tend to use much more time, likely due to engaging in dishonest behaviors [2].
Image proctoring captures periodic snapshots from the test-taker’s webcam instead of continuous video. These images are taken at predefined intervals, for example, every few seconds or minutes, and are later reviewed by AI or human proctors.
While less intensive than video, image proctoring can still identify major violations, such as the presence of another person, the use of external devices, or significant changes in the test-taker’s environment. It is often used when continuous video is not necessary or when bandwidth needs to be minimized.
Audio proctoring monitors the sounds in the test-taker’s environment using the microphone. It detects unusual noises such as whispering, conversations, or verbal cues that may indicate assistance or unauthorized collaboration. It also helps identify environmental disturbances or attempts to read exam questions aloud. Audio proctoring is usually combined with video or image monitoring to provide additional context and strengthen exam security.
Yes, online proctoring is legal in most countries, but it must follow privacy and data protection laws.
Proctoring systems are allowed to monitor students during exams, but they must:
A study from Miami University comparing proctored and unproctored online exams found that students scored an average of 17 points lower when proctoring was used and completed the exam in less time. These differences suggest that online proctoring reduces opportunities for cheating and helps maintain exam integrity. [2]
Similarly, another research shows that cheating can artificially raise performance by roughly a full letter grade, reinforcing that direct proctoring remains one of the most effective methods for preventing misconduct in high-stakes online exams [3].
A 2024 scoping review on the student experience of remote proctoring found that while students appreciate the convenience, flexibility, and perceived effectiveness of online proctoring in preventing cheating, they also report notable concerns around privacy, technical difficulties, fairness, and heightened stress [4].
Many students view online proctoring as effective for deterring cheating, often comparable to in-person supervision. They also appreciate the convenience and flexibility of taking exams from any suitable location, which became especially valuable during the COVID-19 pandemic. For some learners, particularly those who prefer familiar environments or have conditions like anxiety or ADHD, being able to choose their own exam setting can reduce stress and improve comfort, though the effect varies by individual.
However, research consistently shows that negative perceptions are more common. Students express strong privacy concerns about sharing personal data, being monitored through video and audio, and performing room scans. Technical issues such as software compatibility, device requirements, and internet instability further complicate the experience, and AI tools may misinterpret natural behaviors or facial features. These challenges raise concerns about fairness and contribute to heightened stress, with many students feeling anxious about constant surveillance or being incorrectly flagged during high-stakes exams.
Research shows that relying solely on indirect anti-cheating measures such as lockdown browsers, restricted test windows, randomized questions, and strict timers is not enough to prevent cheating. Despite these safeguards, cheating was still common, and in many cases it boosted exam scores by approximately a full letter grade.
This evidence suggests that while such measures can support exam security, direct proctoring remains the most effective method for mitigating cheating in high-stakes online assessments, serving as a necessary layer on top of other protective tools rather than a replacement for them [3].
TestInvite provides a comprehensive online proctoring software designed to maintain exam integrity while offering a smooth test-taking experience. The platform includes multiple monitoring methods to identify suspicious behavior both in real time and during post-exam review.
With these capabilities, TestInvite enables organizations to deliver reliable, secure, and scalable online exams without compromising user experience.
Yes, proctored exams can see your screen. The proctor can view everything displayed on your screen in real time, including the websites, files, or programs you open during the test. If the session is recorded, the screen footage can also be reviewed after the exam.
AI-based systems automatically track your screen activity to detect any unusual behavior, such as switching tabs or opening unauthorized applications.
Yes, proctored exams can detect 2 monitors. A human proctor or AI systems can notice if your eyes or head keep turning toward another screen. Some systems even block the exam from starting until extra monitors are disconnected.
Proctored exams can detect phone use, but how they do it depends on the type of proctoring. Live proctors can see you through your webcam and may notice if you’re using a phone. AI proctoring systems can detect phones by analyzing visual cues, sounds, or reflections that indicate a phone is being used.
Yes, proctored exams can detect screen sharing. A human proctor can easily notice if you’re sharing your screen with another device or person, and AI proctoring systems that monitor screen activity can also detect suspicious displays or external connections.
Yes, screen mirroring can be detected in a proctored exam. A human proctor can notice screen mirroring activity, and AI proctoring systems that monitor screen activity can also detect suspicious displays or connections.
