What is a Proctored Exam? (Meaning, FAQs, Pros and Cons)

Learning isn’t the only thing being done educationally online these days; exams are also taken online. That’s the more reason for the introduction of a proctored exam.

However, in this current era, online education is a new platform for students to learn and to teach. So, with loads of technological tools, schools now have multiple choices and methods of passing knowledge across to their students.

This article will explain a proctored Exam, the requirements, and the major tips you need to ace the exam.

What is a Proctored Exam? 

A Proctored Exam lets candidates take an evaluation at a faraway area, ensuring the integrity of the examination is intact.

A proctoring software program confirms a candidate’s identification and monitors the candidate via a webcam. However, the webcam records the entire exam session and flags suspicious behavior or activity.

So essentially, a Proctored Exam is similar to other kinds of examinations but uses a web infrastructure to aid all related activities. On the other hand, invigilation allows you to preserve the sanctity of the examination halls.

What is an Online Proctored Exam?

An online proctored exam is a test taken remotely, monitored by an authorized person or software using a computer’s webcam and microphone to ensure fairness and prevent cheating.

How Does a Proctored Exam Work?

Proctored Exams are usually timed and taken while a proctoring software program monitors your desktop, audio, and webcam.

Data from the Proctored Exam is recorded, and at the end of the exam, the recorded data is sent to be reviewed by a proctoring service. 

If it requires that you take a Proctored Exam:

• You can’t take the exam using the proctoring software mobile app. It works only on PCs.
• Install the proctoring software on your PC to enable you to take the exam.
• Before taking a Proctored Exam that would be graded, you should have authorized ID verification pictures.
• Before the Proctored Exam begins, you should verify your identification by taking a webcam image of your face, picture ID, and whatever the software program requires to confirm the examination environment.
• While taking the Proctored Exam, you should comply with the proctoring service regulations and requirements. If the course examination you are about to write comes with a different rule, it will be known on the course.
• While taking the Proctored Exam, the proctoring software monitors your PC. The software program additionally records video and audio out of your webcam.

After completing your exam, the proctoring service then reviews your exam session. The result of the exam comes out five days after the exam.

In some cases, the results may take longer if there is a higher-than-normal volume or if the exam team analyzes the marks.

Advantages of a Proctored Exam

• It removes the requirement of arranging and planning for an examination center and hall. 
• It eliminates the need for a physical invigilator since it is online.
• Technological advancement in examination security, thereby maintaining the integrity of the exam body. 
• Permits candidates to write the exam conveniently, thereby eliminating the need and stress of traveling to a far distant location to take exams.

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Challenges that could occur in a Proctored Exam

Many of these online proctoring services are very expensive. On the other hand, students might also discover the lockdown browser characteristics and intrusive webcam recordings.

Growth & Future of Proctored Exam 

Both the private and non-private sectors broadly make use of Proctored Exams. Over 500 colleges in the United States remember Proctored Exams as a feasible option.

Consequently, schools and universities switch to user-friendly technologies for carrying out online tests and exams. As a result, Proctored Exam is gaining favorable momentum in the worldwide academic sector. 

Proctored Exam Stands Clear in Online Exams 

The Proctored Exam stands out from other online exams because it uses modern technological developments like AI and machine learning to carry out a cheat-free examination.

As it provides a way to help maintain the integrity of an examination, the exam tools could become a staple of online programs in the coming years. 

Types of Proctored Exams

It has three categories: live proctoring, recorded proctoring, and advanced auto proctoring. 

• In live proctoring, live invigilators are posted to constantly invigilate and monitor the activities of the candidates throughout the Proctored Exams.

• In recorded proctoring, the examiners review recorded video, audio, screenshots, and all other data recorded after completing the exam.

• The proctoring program detects suspicious activities in advanced auto proctoring and reports them to the examiners afterward.

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Requirements for a Proctored Exam

• Candidates should have a webcam with an enabled microphone. This is, however, optional, as indicated by the examiner.
• Candidate’s ID.
• A Proctoring software is installed on the candidate’s PC. 
• A good internet connection the candidate can rely on.
• Google Chrome browser installed on the candidate’s PC. 
• A quiet and distraction-free location where a candidate can feel comfortable taking his/her exam. The candidate has to sit down there for the entire exam duration. 

The candidate must make sure these requirements are available. 

FAQs on Proctored Exams

Conclusion:

With news of the expectations of the MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) to reach $26 billion come 2025, as reported by Zion Market, the demand for online schooling continues to increase.

As a result, the education sector offers crucial advantages of e-learning, time-saving, flexibility, consistency, etc.

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