Can You Cheat on an Online Proctored Exam
Cheating on online exams that are proctored is a strict no-no and might have serious consequences for both students and the schools that hold the exams.
Students who don’t have enough time to study may feel tempted to cheat on an online proctored test; there are a number of strategies they might use to do this covertly.
1. Impersonation
Many institutions have switched to online proctoring for admissions or course evaluations as the Covid epidemic has led to widespread lockdowns and school and university closures. Even though these tests are proctored, students may still attempt to cheat because no technology is 100% reliable in monitoring and catching cheating during exams.
One of the most popular ways to cheat on exams is impersonation. During an exam, candidates may try to connect through webcam or video conference in an effort to access someone else. Anti-cheating software that watches candidate video streams for suspicious activity and indicates any suspected instances of cheating is typically used to catch cheating during an online exam that is proctored. Students who want to cheat often use screen mirroring apps as a second method. Candidates can share their screen during tests using apps like Screen Sharing, making it simple to retrieve answers from friends and family. By limiting user access to external applications and forbidding screen sharing, a secure exam browser may readily foil this type of cheating.
Additionally, it has been seen that some students purposefully disable their cameras during exams by claiming that there is a poor internet connection or other technical difficulties. Another way exam cheaters try to get around proctored exams is by using keyboard shortcuts, copying and pasting answers from memory, copying and pasting from text documents, or asking voice-controlled devices like Siri or Amazon Echo for help while taking the exam. A secure exam browser can stop users from opening programs outside of its scope and blocking print screen commands.
Some students with more advanced exam skills have attempted to evade a proctored online exam by altering the test’s material into a different format and then identifying the right answers with code. Monitoring font and size changes as well as keeping an eye out for common trends among multiple-choice questions are two anti-cheating strategies that can stop such attacks.
2. Projectors
Online proctoring makes it possible for students to take exams from the convenience of their homes rather than having to drive to a testing location, cutting down on testing time and the likelihood of cheating. Unfortunately, thanks to improvements in technology, students have discovered ways to cheat on examinations that are proctored as well. These methods include employing tech devices like smartwatches or microphones, remote communication with persons outside the exam room, or obtaining help during an exam session.
Using a projector is one of the more common ways that students cheat on online tests. Students can mirror their computer’s main display onto another display by connecting a projector to their computer. This will allow friends or relatives to answer the questions for them. Unfortunately, this approach cannot ensure total security because any screen mirroring activity during an exam can be quickly noticed by remote proctors.
Using a tablet or smartphone to access notes or the internet and discover answers to exam questions is an efficient way to cheat on an online exam. This approach could be dangerous, though, as interruptions from social media or other apps could prevent a test from going as planned. It is therefore advised that smartphones be put on silent mode during such exams.
Using a virtual keyboard is another way to rig an online exam that is proctored. Students can record themselves using the webcam while performing other tasks or browsing the internet, and they can upload this footage as their default webcam during assessments to avoid being caught.
Many applicants have found virtual keyboards to be an incredibly helpful study aid that has helped them pass tests. However, proctors are able to identify their use, and doing so can result in harsh punishments.
The improper use of impersonation, multiple displays, and projectors are just a few of the numerous cheating techniques that could be identified by online proctors and result in suspension or expulsion for students. Use these techniques only with people you can trust, as a result.
3. Smartwatches
In an era when online education is quickly evolving, it’s critical to stay up to date on all of the newest cheating techniques that students are using to game the system. Students can send and receive answers from other individuals during a test using hacks like smartwatches or tiny headphones, and copying and pasting work into notepads or word documents also gives access. Sometimes, students will ask their friends and relatives for help. It’s also usual to see pupils with posters containing the answers sitting idly next to or behind their computers.
Even though these techniques are very easy to use, technical expertise is still necessary. Another method involves hacking the multiple-choice answers on an online test that is being proctored. After choosing the right answer and running it via coding software, which shows it in code form, they can copy and paste this code directly into their calculator for immediate responses.
Asking for unexpected bathroom breaks during tests gives students the chance to leave the room and look up exam questions on their laptop or smartphone outside, which is a common method used by students to get around remote invigilators. Some people would ask for more time to process what they just saw, while others might set up their computer with covert web cams or invisible microphones that relay content.
These strategies have grown in popularity among students who struggle to focus during exams, but online proctoring companies can catch such efforts at cheating using AI-powered systems that detect extra devices or suspicious activity like extra microphones. Other systems watch physical behavior during exams to detect any suspicious movements or noises that could indicate cheating attempts. Some platforms even offer real-time hybrid monitoring that uses human proctors while also using machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques to stop cheating in its tracks.
4. Software
Employers and students alike are favoring online proctored examinations more and more because they are more convenient than in-person exams. Unfortunately, pupils are finding ways to cheat as these tests become more popular. Cheating on a test can have detrimental effects on both the test-taker and the organizations that are responsible for its administration.
During online exams, students may be able to use cheating software to find the answers to challenging exam questions. Advanced digital proctoring services are frequently used to catch this type of cheating during exams since such software delivers coded questions that make it simple to identify the correct responses.
Search engines like Google are frequently used by students trying to cheat on online tests that are proctored. In remote proctored tests, this approach makes it simple to cheat; however, digital proctoring technology, which disables web searches and prohibits the operation of additional software or programs, can stop this kind of cheating from happening.
Some students use their phone or tablet as an additional monitor to access the internet and look up answers while taking an online proctored exam. It takes more technical knowledge to catch someone using this cheating technique. In order to avoid hacking efforts, students who use smartphones or tablets for this reason should make sure they have the most recent operating system installed.
These are just a few of the numerous methods that students use to cheat on online exams with proctors. To safeguard students from attempting to cheat on online tests and improve their chances of getting excellent grades, teachers can incorporate fraud and cheating prevention features into their testing software by studying the various methods of cheating.
Employers and students alike are favoring online proctored examinations more and more because they are more convenient than in-person exams. Unfortunately, pupils are finding ways to cheat as these tests become more popular. Cheating on a test can have detrimental effects on both the test-taker and the organizations that are responsible for its administration.
During online exams, students may be able to use cheating software to find the answers to challenging exam questions. Advanced digital proctoring services are frequently used to catch this type of cheating during exams since such software delivers coded questions that make it simple to identify the correct responses.
Search engines like Google are frequently used by students trying to cheat on online tests that are proctored. In remote proctored tests, this approach makes it simple to cheat; however, digital proctoring technology, which disables web searches and prohibits the operation of additional software or programs, can stop this kind of cheating from happening.
Some students use their phone or tablet as an additional monitor to access the internet and look up answers while taking an online proctored exam. It takes more technical knowledge to catch someone using this cheating technique. In order to avoid hacking efforts, students who use smartphones or tablets for this reason should make sure they have the most recent operating system installed.
These are just a few of the numerous methods that students use to cheat on online exams with proctors. To safeguard students from attempting to cheat on online tests and improve their chances of getting excellent grades, teachers can incorporate fraud and cheating prevention features into their testing software by studying the various methods of cheating.