Proctoring

Proctoring is the supervision of examinations to ensure compliance with testing rules and to deter cheating. It can occur in person at a physical testing center or remotely through online proctoring services. Remote proctoring typically combines software tools with human monitoring to observe an examinee during an assessment.

There are several models of proctoring. Live proctoring involves a human proctor watching the test in real time, often via webcam and microphone. Automated or AI-based proctoring relies on software to analyze audio, video, and screen activity and to flag suspicious events for later review. Hybrid approaches mix automated detection with human review. Common components across models include identity verification, environment checks, browser or application lockdown, monitoring of behavior and activity, and incident reporting.

The standard process usually includes pre-exam identity verification, a brief environment check to ensure no unauthorized materials are present, during-exam monitoring, and post-exam review of any flagged incidents. Data collected can include video and audio recordings, screenshots, keystroke patterns, browser activity, and IP location. Data handling is governed by consent, terms of service, and applicable privacy laws.

Proctoring is used in higher education, online courses, professional licensure, and standardized testing to uphold integrity and enable flexible testing. Benefits include integrity enforcement, accessibility for remote or non-traditional students, and scalable monitoring. Criticisms focus on privacy and data security, potential bias or false positives, accessibility barriers for some users, and the perception of pervasive surveillance. Institutions increasingly address these concerns through transparency, consent, data minimization, secure storage, and clear retention policies.