A Comprehensive Look at Online Proctored Exams

Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, every sector has witnessed a surge in technological growth, especially the education sector. Many improvements have been made in the way education is delivered to students. One of them is the Online Proctored Exam, an online exam software that allows students to take exams from anywhere

Today, we will explore the benefits, challenges, and best practices of online proctored exams. We will also look at some tools and platforms that can help you conduct them effectively.

What is an Online Proctored Exam?

As the name suggests, when an exam is administered and monitored online by a proctor, it is called the Online Proctored Exam. The proctor monitors the students while they take the exam and ensures that they follow the regulations of the exam

An online proctored exam uses different types of online proctoring. Here are a few of them:

Online Live Proctoring Exam:

Online live proctoring is done by a professional proctor who watches the student's video, audio, and screen activity in real time and provides feedback if needed.

Recorded Proctoring Exam:

In this, the student's video, audio, and screen activity are recorded. It is sent to a proctor, who reviews the exam later and flags any suspicious or unusual behaviour.

Advanced Automated Proctoring Exam:

The proctoring is done by AI-powered software that detects and reports any cheating or malpractice attempts by the student. These include using unauthorised materials, devices, or sources, communicating with others, or copying or cheating.

With every passing day, the online proctored exam is becoming more and more popular in the education sector. They offer convenience, flexibility, and accessibility for both learners and educators.

However, Online Examination Systems have drawbacks and limitations, such as technology, trust, and support. These can be addressed and overcome by following some best practices, such as preparing, communicating, and reviewing.

What are the Benefits of Online Proctored Exams?

Online proctored exams offer numerous advantages that make them better than traditional exams. Here are some

Convenience:

Online proctored exams can be taken anytime and anywhere, as long as the students have a stable internet connection and a compatible device. This eliminates the need for travelling, booking venues, and arranging schedules. Again, this saves time, money, and resources for both students and educators.

Flexibility:

Online proctored exams accommodate the different learning styles, preferences, and needs of the students. They can choose the exam format, duration, and difficulty level that suits them best.

Online proctored exams can also be customised and adapted to different subjects, courses, and curricula. Educators can include various questions, such as multiple-choice, short-answer, essay, or numerical.

Accessibility:

Online proctored exams also increase the accessibility and inclusivity of education. They can reach students who may face barriers or challenges in attending physical exams. These include those who live in remote areas, have disabilities or have personal or professional commitments.

Online proctored exams also provide equal opportunities and fair assessment for all students, as they can reduce the potential for bias, discrimination, or cheating.

Feedback:

Online proctored exams provide instant and detailed feedback to the students. It lets students see their scores, grades, and analytics right after the exam. This helps them identify their strengths and weaknesses, monitor their progress, and improve their learning outcomes.

Online proctored exams can also provide valuable insights and data to educators. They can track and evaluate the students' performance, behaviour, and engagement during the exam.

What are the Challenges of Online Proctored Exams?

Just like the benefits, online proctored exams also have some drawbacks and limitations, Here are some :

Technology:

Online proctored exams require reliable and secure technology to ensure the quality and validity of the exam. However, technology can also pose some risks and challenges, such as technical glitches, malfunctions, or interruptions. This can affect the exam delivery and experience.

Moreover, technology can also raise some ethical and legal issues, such as privacy, data protection, and consent. These need to be addressed and respected by both students and educators.

Trust:

It relies on the trust and honesty of the students. They are expected to follow the exam's rules and regulations. However, trust can also be difficult to establish and maintain.

This is because some students may try to manipulate the online proctoring system. Some may also feel anxious, stressed, or uncomfortable being monitored and recorded during the exam.

Support:

Online proctored exams require adequate and timely support and guidance for both students and educators. This is because both may encounter some challenges or difficulties in using or administering the online proctoring system.

However, support can also be challenging to provide and access, as there may be limited or delayed communication or assistance between the students and the educators.

Now that we understand the benefits and challenges of online proctored exams, let’s take a look at

What are the Best Practices for Online Proctored Exams?

Online proctored exams can be conducted effectively and efficiently if the following best practices are followed:

Prepare:

Before the exam, both students and educators should prepare themselves and their devices for the online proctoring system. These include checking the system requirements, installing the software, running a system test, etc.

They should also ensure that they have a suitable and secure environment for the exam. These include quiet, well-lit, and clutter-free spaces with no distractions or interruptions.

Communicate:

During the exam, both students and educators should communicate clearly and respectfully with each other and with the online proctoring service providers. These include asking or answering questions, reporting or resolving issues, and providing or receiving feedback.

They should also use the appropriate and authorised channels and tools for communication, such as chat, email, or video call.

Review:

After the exam, both students and educators should review the exam results and analytics, as well as the exam process and experience. This can be done by reflecting on their performance, behaviour, and engagement, identifying their areas of improvement, and sharing their feedback.

They should also follow up on any pending or unresolved matters. These include verifying the identity, validity, or authenticity of the exam takers, scores, or certificates.

Now you understand the best practices of online proctored exams. Moving on, let's look at

What are Some of the Tools and Platforms for Online Proctored Exams?

Online proctored exams can be facilitated and enhanced by using some of the tools and platforms such as:

Online Exam Software:

Online exam software is an application that allows educators to create, administer, and grade online exams with various features and functionalities.

These features include question banks, exam templates, exam settings, exam reports, and exam analytics.

Online Proctoring Software:

Online proctoring software is applications that allow educators to monitor and verify online exam takers, with various methods and technologies. These include

• Live proctoring
• Recorded proctoring
• Automated proctoring
• Biometric authentication
• Facial recognition
• Browser lockdown
• Keystroke analysis
• Screen capture.

So these are some tools for online proctored exams. These can help enhance the quality of education and examinations. So can MasterSoft’s Online Proctored Platform

MasterSoft's Online Proctored Platform

MasterSoft is one of the leading providers of online exam software and online examination management in India. MasterSoft's online proctored platform offers a comprehensive and cost-effective solution for conducting secure, scalable, and fair online exams, with features such as:

AI-powered proctoring

AI-powered proctoring technology that monitors and records the students’ video, audio, and screen activity. It also monitors their browser activity, keystroke analysis, and facial recognition, to prevent cheating and malpractice during the exam.

Cloud-based exam

A cloud-based exam management system that allows educators to create, schedule, and grade online exams. This can be done with various question types, exam templates, exam settings, exam reports, and exam analytics.

On-screen evaluation

An on-screen evaluation tool that enables educators to conduct digital evaluations and calculate outcomes. It includes features such as question paper patterns, objective and subjective questions, and Power BI integration.

Real-time feedback

Real-time feedback and communication system that facilitates clear and respectful interaction and assistance between the students, educators, and online proctoring service providers.

MasterSoft's online proctored platform is designed to elevate the exam performance and experience of both students and educators. We make this possible by providing convenience, flexibility, accessibility, and feedback.

MasterSoft's online proctored platform is also compatible with various devices, browsers, and operating systems, and ensures the privacy, data protection, and consent of the users.

Embracing the advancements that online exam software brings will shape the future of education, making it more accessible and effective.