Numerous education systems, corporations, and licensing agencies across the world are currently switching to e-assessments, with the need for online assessments being greater today than ever before. All these challenges, however, do not sit well with the accuracy of online proctoring systems. To work in the old context of an exam hall and invigilator can be difficult, and at the same time increases the chances of dishonest attempts by candidates and unfair assessment of students.
What is Online Proctoring Systems:-
Online proctoring systems are security systems applied during online examinations. This software helps invigilators to check whether students are using portable devices or cheat sheets while taking the test. The examination proctors utilized by these systems can –
- Through scanning cameras – tracking facial features, eye movements, etc. with ease
- Both in real time – watching the recorded footage or the live stream
- Hide/Highlight certain events based on the risk factor
With all the aforementioned policies and procedures in place, considering that Sri Lanka is still contesting a few claims of cheating concerning online tests, it is an opinion that the approaches used to identify cheating in such circumstances should be both rigid and flexible.
Importance of Accuracy in Online Exams:-
Accurate questions within online exams and online results are not trivial considerations. Such considerations may not seem to be relevant, but they actually mean a lot with regard to the below-discussed.
- Credibility certificates – people do not use random numbers for admission or recruitment first and promotion second
- Amounting no discrimination – Realistic expectations should be raised in each one of the respective participants.
- Confidence Building – Little Exam dispute runs through the candidate and the rest of the examination community are satisfied with the results.
Otherwise, there stands a possibility of the online examination losing its importance as compared to the traditional methods of examination. Reports suggest, however, that just as concerns can be handled effectively by online proctoring systems, so can all these concerns.
Ways in Overcoming Threats of Exam Cheating with Online Proctoring Systems:-
1. Check the Identity of a Candidate before Examination
Another phase of assuring fair results is guaranteeing that the candidate in question is the actual one presenting the exam.
Candidate’s identity is ascertained in online proctoring systems like Think Exam and Mercer | Mettl through the below facts:
- Image identification on uploading ID picture
- Face recognition
- SMS based mobile verification
Impact: Restrict undue entry by prohibiting the occurrence of impersonation.
2. Carry out a Complete Monitoring During the Exam:
Some online proctoring systems such as those offered by Mercer | Mettl have live proctoring features that improve the performance of the proctor by enabling the proctor to watch the candidates as they are taking their exams.
Impact: Presence of a ‘virtual’ supervisor discourages the usage of unfair practices due to actual time monitoring.
3. AI Technologies can Analyze Candidate Behavior:
Comprehensive behavioral analysis of candidates during online assessments is carried out by advanced online proctoring systems using AI.
For example:
- Distracting attention from the monitor or screen
- The sound of unexpected type
- Two or more faces being seen through the webcam video
- Suspicious activity within the browser
Impact: Provides timely alerts and background reports for a more thorough examination of the detected events.
4. Change the Screen Interfacing Technique and Restrict the Browser Compatibility:
Restriction browsers help Users in several ways which are inappropriate for them for example:
- Prevents opening of multiple tabs
- Disallows copy/paste or printing the paper
- Limits access to other applications
Impact: Ensures participants do not take any help from other sources on the test window.
5. Overseeing and Revising the Tests:
Many exam registration and online proctoring systems, including Think Exam, Mercer | Mettl, supports video recording of the entire exam session.
- AI-analyzed recordings
- Manual reviews by human proctors
Impact: Keeps an active record of events to resolve any contestation regarding exam outcomes.
6. Enhanced Plagiarism Detection:
Online proctoring tools – like those integrated in platforms such as Mercer | Mettl – are capable of detecting plagiarism in descriptive answers before submission.
Impact: Ensures that written responses are authentic and created by the candidate.
7. Immediate Assistance in Case of Any Problems:
Support from proctors or technical staff is available during the examination to handle any issues.
Impact: Enhances candidate comfort and maintains exam integrity.
Ways for Improving the Online Examination Results Accuracy:-
1. Pre-Exam Training and Orientation:
Allow candidates to practice using proctoring tools to minimize stress and reduce technical mishaps.
2. Clear Exam Guidelines:
Provide clear communication of rules, tools, and permissible materials.
3. Level Two Monitoring:
Combine AI, live, and manual proctoring for high-stakes assessments.
4. System Self Auditing:
Continuously test and update online proctoring systems to address emerging cheating tactics.
5. Data Protection Assurance:
Ensure GDPR and data privacy compliance to protect participant information.
Potential Challenges while using Online Proctoring Systems:-
1. Technical Difficulties:
Connectivity and hardware issues may disrupt focus or test performance.
2. Algorithm Bias:
Over-sensitive AI detection can lead to false flags.
3. Barriers to Access:
Systems must accommodate candidates with disabilities fairly and appropriately.
In Conclusion:-
Precise online exam results are the foundation on which digital age fair assessment rests. The online proctoring systems strengthen the examination process by providing easy-to-use security mechanisms that verify the identity of participants, ensure improper behaviors are avoided and all results match the level of merit.
In order to achieve that, the conservatives will not hesitate in investing into a capable online proctoring solution—it is an obligatory measure.
Finally, exploring online proctoring systems provided by Think Exam or Mercer | Mettl gives the proctors a better platform that modern technology reconciles within humans for they hold even complicated assessments at much higher precision and trust.
Are you prepared to move forward with the use of online proctoring systems? Get in touch with Think Exam today for further information on our proctoring solutions that could enhance your examinations.
Frequently Asked Questions:-
1. What do you mean by online proctoring systems?
- Online proctoring systems are implemented to prevent the candidates from cheating when they are attempting an online test, making use of technology such as AI and live animal proctors, or even both, in order to achieve this.
2. How does a proctoring service confirm the identity of the candidate?
- The affirmation of the identity of the test-taker can be done by a range of tools, including photo-identity of candidates from the government, mobile OTP verification, and facial recognition technology to make it possible for the right candidate to undertake the test.
3. Does software used for online testing detect cheating?
- Indeed. online proctoring systems have certain techniques, such as camera/microphone functioning, screen sharing, browser setting restrictions, AI-based behavioral control to detect activities like the candidate looking elsewhere or another individual being present in the room with the candidate or different applications being opened.
4. Does online proctoring invade students’ privacy?
- Top-rated companies, such as Think Exam, which offer proctoring responsibilities, adhere to anti-competitive frameworks (eg, GDPR). Any data related to the candidates is encrypted, saved in a secured manner, and processed purely for the purposes of maintaining the security of the exam.
5. What are the implications if a candidate’s behavior is suspicious?
- A human proctor will verify the flagged candidate’s performance and the scenes of the purported incident. Based on the content of a flagged behavior, certain remedies will be enacted which could either comprise disqualification of the candidate or some additional measures.
6. What are the benefits of partnering with Think Exam for Proctoring?
- Think Exam’s state-of-the-art and fully configurable online proctoring system combining advanced AI surveillance, live proctors, in-depth reporting, and unsurpassed levels of safety consistently make it an incredibly reliable partner to any organization from any continent.
