How to Get Around Proctored Exams
When taking an exam that is being proctored virtually, students must make sure that the virtual proctor does not catch them cheating. Usually, the proctoring software flags any testing irregularities and notifies the student’s teacher or human proctors so that additional investigation can be conducted.
During proctored tests, students frequently use a variety of concealment techniques in an effort to avoid being caught. Here are 10 creative methods that they could perhaps accomplish that.
1. Answer hacking software
The majority of cheaters use technology as part of their strategy for taking proctored online examinations, however others still use more conventional methods like writing notes on their hands. Students have figured out novel ways to rig these tests.
Using answer hacking software is one of the more efficient ways to cheat on online examinations that are proctored. This kind of software tracks pupils’ keyboard and mouse movements and sends the data to another device for exam answers, giving tutors an advantage over rivals. Although it may not always be as obvious, answer hacking software frequently lives on machines with powerful processors.
Mirroring a student’s desktop screen onto an external display or projector, so an exam assistant may view it and indicate when it’s time for them to provide the right response, is one typical method of cheating in an online proctored test. Artificial intelligence (AI)-based proctoring solutions have been created expressly to stop this type of cheating by spotting any strange noises, devices, or unprofessional body language that could suggest fraud during exams.
In order to avoid proctored exams, students may install remote software that enables them to show what is on their screen to someone outside the room or use web-based messaging apps to share answers during an exam. They may also use tech devices like smartwatches and microphones to communicate with their tutors during an exam.
Even though these methods can be successful, they can also be harmful and come with severe consequences, including the possibility of course suspension, if they are discovered. Thus, it’s crucial that students abstain from using any form of cheating before taking an online proctored exam.
2. Water bottle cheating
There are many ways for students taking proctored online examinations to cheat, including writing notes on themselves, using cheat sheets, or sitting next to someone who has the answers. Since the pandemic, online testing has become more common and more difficult to maintain integrity than before; however, new technologies have helped remove some forms of cheating, like taking notes in exam rooms. Cheating could lead them down a path toward failure and cause them to lose career opportunities. Historically, standardized exams were taken at specific test centers under human supervision.
Using water bottles as cheat sheets is one creative way to cheat on proctored tests. Many students are taking note, and many have decided to modify their bottles so that they can store some notes inside as cheat sheets. Additionally, some students have even tried utilizing the label of their water bottle as a second cheat sheet; however, this method is ineffective in open spaces and works better in offices with minimal distractions.
Another method of cheating on proctored exams is to enlist the assistance of friends and family. However, AI software or live remote proctors will quickly detect this type of dishonesty. Screen-sharing programs like Skype can make this conceivable by exposing exam content to persons sitting far away in separate places or on different computers.
During an online proctored exam, students may try to cheat by leaving the session for restroom breaks or other legitimate reasons. While this method has worked for some students, it could be easily detected by AI-based proctoring software or live remote proctors who watch webcam footage to stop cheating efforts.
3. Impersonation
A common misconception among students is that it is simple to cheat on a proctored exam. Online proctoring technologies catch a variety of cheating techniques, such as sharing screens and using software emulators to obtain answers. Human proctors can easily catch these techniques, and cheaters who are detected may have their academic standing suspended.
These safeguards help to ensure that students don’t gain an unfair advantage during online exams. Some online proctoring tools use lockdown browsers to stop students from accessing remote software or the internet during an exam, while others use AI flagging to identify suspicious noises, devices, or facial expressions.
Another method of cheating used by students is to pretend to be someone else when taking proctored tests. While this method of cheating is available for traditional exams, it is also often used for online exams. Students would hire someone else to take their test on their behalf using a variety of methods (hiring, hiring someone from outside, sharing login details, etc.). Both they and their proctor may be at danger as a result of this activity.
Students should arrive at their exam locations early enough to identify other students and spot any potential cheaters before the test begins in order to prevent this kind of cheating. Additionally, they should keep their eyes fixed on the camera the entire time they are taking the test to prevent any assistance from another student and to make it simpler for the proctor to recognize them afterwards.
4. Smartwatches
Tracking seminars, scheduling revision timetables, and maintaining calendar organization are only three uses for smartwatches that come to mind as being very helpful for students. But for cheats, these fashionable devices pose a serious threat to the integrity of academic exams. Some colleges have even begun to outlaw smartwatches because they can be used to directly communicate between test-takers and outside aid.
Smartphones, laptops, earbuds, and even smartwatches are among the technological devices that can be used to cheat on online proctored exams. While some cheaters utilize projectors to show them the answers in front of them, others install remote software that links them with assistants outside the room. Others utilize applications to keep track of the solutions and communicate with outside support.
You must keep your face visible at all times during an online proctored exam to prevent cheating, even if you are eating or drinking, moving around, or covering your face. In addition, pay close attention to any instructions given by human proctors and heed their warnings.
Students should make sure they don’t use any other technology while taking an exam besides a phone or tablet, such as headphones, smartwatches, or timepieces with notifications that let them know when the test is starting. Before taking an online exam that is proctored, students should take off any jewelry, make sure that all of their belongings are secured against theft by other students, and dress appropriately (avoiding hoodies and outerwear that could hide one’s face).
5. Software
Knowledgeable programmers and coders can exploit online proctored tests by manipulating the responses to multiple-choice questions. They accomplish this using specialized software that renders exam content as code; the right answers show up as numbers with 1s and 0s, while other responses have random text answers that are part of the coding. Although it might be challenging to spot this technique, specialist monitoring tools could spot such behaviors during exams.
Screen-sharing software is widely used by students who are trying to cheat during online proctored tests since it enables them to share their screen with assistants in real time and work together to solve exam questions. When proctors catch a student engaging in this type of cheating conduct, they can either ask them to stop or eject them from the testing environment.
Students frequently use their cell phones and smartwatches to do internet searches or message tutors via messaging applications, but remote proctoring systems can catch these actions by keeping an eye out for suspicious devices and noises.
Before an online proctored test starts, students should make sure their devices are in good condition and stay away from anything that could hinder their ability to take the test online. It is crucial for students to understand how to cheat on proctored exams in order to pass their exams and graduate with their degrees even if there are tools and deterrents in place to prevent it.