15 Myths you must know before opting for Online Remote Proctored Examination

Myths and Facts of remote proctoring
15 Myths you must know before opting for Remotely Proctored Exams

The world is digitizing and increasing its inclination and dependency on technology. Everything is switching over to the online mode, including education. This has given rise to a new concept called ‘EdTech’.Thanks to EdTech, the exams which are conducted by educational institutes are no longer pen-paper based. The remotely proctored (supervised) online exams have become an inseparable and crucial part of the education sector.

Remote proctoring has always been a controversial topic. It has been receiving both support and opposition from education stakeholders.

Stakeholders in education have been confused and intimidated by the remote proctoring process. They are unsure about this type of exam, so it is understandable why many hesitate to trust them with their children’s future grades or even take there are many myths revolving around remotely proctored exams. These myths continue to exist and create fear and obscurity in the minds of people. In this blog, we try and bust some misconceptions by revealing the truths behind these false beliefs tests themselves!

There are many myths revolving around remotely proctored exams. These myths continue to exist and create fear and obscurity in the minds of people. In this blog, we try and bust some misconceptions by revealing the truths behind these false beliefs.

Thus, if you are someone who wishes to adopt remotely proctored exams for your institutes, then please check the article below.

The myths related to remotely proctored exams

Myths vs Facts for remote proctored exams

Myth 1: Remotely proctored exams are insecure and unreliable.

Fact: A variety of advanced mechanisms are used to create a platform that can conduct remotely proctored exams. These mechanisms include various types of proctoring techniques and some other techniques such as secure browser, audit logging, IP address audit, etc.

Some of these mechanisms are also powered by Artificial Intelligence. For example, mechanisms such as facial recognition, suspicious object detection, chatbots, etc., can prove very useful in detecting any signs of cheating and fraud.

The online platforms also incorporate different security protocols to maintain secrecy and improve the reliability of the remotely proctored exams.

Myth 2: Remotely proctored exams are not cost-effective.

Fact: The remotely proctored exams are conducted by online examination platforms. These platforms help to eliminate costs invested by educational institutions on infrastructure such as exam venues, practical labs, manual invigilation, etc. Other overheads spent on logistics, such as question papers and answer sheets, are also saved.Along with that, the online examination platforms also provide different packages with different features and mechanisms. The costs of these packages vary, but they are still quite affordable. Thus, adopting an online examination platform for conducting remotely proctored exams is extremely cost-effective.

Myth 3: Remotely proctored exams are not scalable.

Fact: This is one of the common myths. Remotely proctored exams are conducted in online mode, making it possible to conduct exams for a large number of candidates. Due to the use of robust servers, a large amount of traffic can be easily managed. 

As a result, issues such as server crashes or instant logout do not occur and online exams for thousands of candidates can be conducted smoothly.

Myth 4: Remotely proctored exams are difficult to install.

Fact: The online examination platforms which help to conduct remotely proctored exams completely eliminate the need for third-party installations. They are developed in a way that would make it easy to directly launch the exams. 

The remotely proctored exams are compatible with every system. Thus, the need for third-party installations is completely eliminated. This also helps to save some money spent on buying licenses as also the manual efforts required to install the software on each system.

Myth 5: Remotely proctored exams are difficult to operate.

Fact: The remotely proctored exams are tried and tested many times by people belonging to different age groups. This makes the exams very easy to operate on for anyone. 

In addition to that, mock exams are conducted for the students so that they will be able to get familiar with the options and process of appearing for the remotely proctored exams. Training is also provided to the teachers so that they will be able to guide the candidates and resolve their queries during the online exams.

Myths vs Facts for remote proctored exams

Myth 6: Remotely proctored exams are very easy to crack.

Fact: Remotely proctored exams conducted by online platforms provide a feature known as Question Bank Management. This feature helps to create sets of questions that can be saved, deleted and modified. 

While creating the questions, many options are available, which enable the question paper setter to decide the level of difficulty for each question or for each question set. The Question Bank Management feature also provides options to decide the pattern of the questions. The combination of both these options (difficulty level and pattern of question) enables the question paper setter to frame questions that can be anything from the easiest to the hardest. 

Myth 7: Remotely proctored exams are inaccessible in rural areas.

Fact: Remotely proctored exams are designed to be conducted anywhere in the world. They can be conducted in the largest city as well as in the remotest area as well.

The remote proctored exam can be launched even in offline mode. The candidates can appear for the exams even if the internet connectivity is low. These online exams can also be set to a particular time zone of a particular geographical area. Due to this, it is absolutely possible to conduct online exams in rural areas which are proctored remotely. 

Myth 8: Remotely proctored exams are prone to technical failure.

Fact: Online examination platforms are developed using algorithms that are advanced and robust. They are created after putting in a lot of thought processes and considering every possibility to make it work smoothly.

These platforms are created using fail-proof servers which have undergone rigorous testing. The working of remotely proctored exams is tested many times by making the people take mock exams and asking about their experiences. 

Myth 9: Remotely proctored exams must be answered in a sequential manner.

Fact: Remotely proctored exams provide a feature that enables you to navigate through the questions. You can easily skip a question and move on to the next question. You can come back to the question which you skipped later and answer it. 

You can attempt all the questions or just answer the ones which you are confident about. Thus, you can answer the questions in any manner, irrespective of their order.

Myth 10: The candidates might feel anxious due to continuous video recording.

Fact: The candidates are instructed to keep their web cameras on from the beginning till the end of the online exams. The movements of the candidates are continuously monitored and captured to prohibit cheating. The web camera keeps on capturing the footage without making it obvious.

This makes it easy for the candidates to just start the web camera and forget about it while concentrating on the exam. 

Secondly, the candidates appear for the remotely proctored exams just like they appear for classroom-based exams. If a candidate appears for the remotely proctored exams with honesty and integrity, then he/she does not need to be anxious.

Other factors such as carrying the right documents, reaching the exam venue on time, etc. are the factors that induce anxiety amongst the candidate, which in the case of remotely proctored exams is completely eliminated.

Myths vs Facts for remote proctored exams

Myth 11: Remotely proctored exams only use video-based proctoring.

Fact: Remote exams can be proctored with the help of different proctoring techniques other than video-based proctoring.

  • Image-based proctoring: In this technique, the candidates are supposed to keep their web cameras on as these cameras help to capture the images of the candidates.
  • A certain time interval, such as 30 seconds, 1 minute or 15 minutes, is set at which the cameras automatically capture the candidate’s image. The system checks the image and raises an error notification if it finds any discrepancy.
  • Audio-based proctoring: The remotely proctored exams are designed to be able to capture sounds and voices.  The system can capture even the softest voices.
  • Thus, if any candidate is cheating by telling or asking for answers, it will be immediately recorded by the system.

Myth 12: Remotely proctored exams cannot help to measure a student’s knowledge about a subject.

Fact: While creating remotely proctored exams, various options are provided. With the help of these options, the paper setter or subject matter expert can create question sets based on different metrics such as time duration, marks, difficulty level, question pattern, etc.

Both subjective and objective types of questions can be included in the online exams. Along with that, programming tests and viva or oral assessments can also be included. Questions based on images, videos and audio can also be created.

Due to all these options, a paper setter can set a paper that can gauge the knowledge of the candidate in many different ways.

Myth 13: Remotely proctored exams cannot provide validity or accreditation for online courses.

Fact: The remotely proctored exams are legitimate exams. As these exams use various different technological ways to stop malpractices, the exams are absolutely valid and authentic.

The remotely proctored exams provide accreditation for online courses as these exams are designed and conducted only after framing each question carefully and thoughtfully.

Myth 14: Remotely proctored exams can make you lose your privacy with virtual proctoring.

Fact: The web camera is on only during the exam. The virtual proctoring process goes on only as long as the candidate is sitting the exam. The video recording of the candidate stops as soon as the exam time is over or when the candidate submits the exam.

Thus, if a candidate makes sure that the environment or the background of his/her room is clear of people and objects during the exam, privacy remains maintained.

Myth 15: The online exam platforms can access a candidate’s system even after the completion of the exam.

Fact: This is not true. The web camera and speakers which are kept on during the exam stop working immediately when the exam time is up. Thus, the image, video or audio recording stops and hence the privacy of the candidate is maintained. 

The administrator loses his access as soon as the exam is over. Thus, it is impossible for the exam platforms, administrators or the management of the institute to access the candidate’s system.

About Eklavvya

To conduct remotely proctored exams, adopting an online platform is necessary. Eklavvya is an efficient and multi-functional platform that can help you to conduct online exams which are remotely proctored.Eklavvya is an award-winning platform that has been adopted and appreciated by many educational institutes as well as IT organizations. The reason behind this appreciation is nothing but the optimal use of the most advanced technology for developing the platform.

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Eklavvya provides features of Question Bank Management and allows you to conduct both objective and subjective exams having various levels of difficulty. Eklavvya is also completely error-free and very simple to operate. It makes use of various SSL protocols to make the entire process very secure. 

Thus, Eklavvya is the best platform that can help you to bust every myth related to remotely proctored exams. Now is the best time to adopt Eklavvya to get rid of all your worries about conducting remotely proctored exams.

Is there a difference between a remote proctoring service and a live proctoring service?

Yes. Remote proctoring typically involves students taking standardized tests from the comfort of their own homes with a proctor from the testing company checking their answers from a remote location. A live proctoring service allows students to take tests at a local college or school with an actual on-site proctor. These services are generally used when a student or someone else needs to have another person monitor them during an exam.

Why are some institutions moving to remotely proctored exams?

No wonder universities and other educational institutions are moving to remotely proctored exams. With the growth in online education, an increasing number of institutions are moving towards the remote-proctored model to improve security and accountability. The remote proctoring process is a more secure, less expensive, and more convenient way to conduct exams. With remote proctoring, the exam is constantly monitored by a proctor, who ensures that the test-taker is following the rules and is not cheating.

What are some of the benefits of using a remote proctor service?

The answer to this question is simple and straightforward. Any person who cannot be present in person at the exam center due to any reason can use a remote proctor service to get his or her degree or certificate. This service is also useful for students who live far away from the institution of their study. Remote proctor services make it possible for them to participate in examinations as well. Moreover, students who are studying from abroad can also use this service to access their examination center.

What are some of the key elements of a remote proctoring platform?

The key elements of a remote proctoring platform include the ability to:  — maintain and verify identity (ensuring the proctor is who he/she claims to be)  — test for cheating  — record the test online and share with a proctor for real-time monitoring  — deliver tests from a variety of content providers  — improve the effectiveness of remote proctoring with test analytics and insights  — incorporates a number of features that can be used to build a variety of different application to fit the needs of the test taker, the proctor and the institution – such as pairing a camera receiver with a standard webcam to monitor students writing on paper.

What are the advantages of remotely proctored exams compared to in-person proctored exams?

Remotely proctored exams give flexibility to students and test takers to take the exams at their convenience. That’s why many institutions are moving to remote proctoring and doing away with the old way of proctoring exams, which is an in-person exam proctor and it is a very time-consuming and expensive process. Remotely proctoring your exams allows you the flexibility to set up many exams in one day, and you are not tied to the location of the test, nor do you have to pay for the travel of the proctor.

What kinds of things can you do during a remote proctored exam that you can’t do during a traditional exam?

There are several things you can do during a remote proctored exam that you can’t do during a traditional exam. One of the biggest is that you can take the exam when it best fits your schedule rather than when the company decides to set it. You can also take the exam wherever you want, whether it be in a public library, at home, or even while travelling. And unlike a traditional exam, there are no distractions during the exam period – no peers or professors to disturb you.

How does an Online Examination System work?

An online examination system works in different steps, and these are as follows.

  • The faculty or the examiner creates a question paper based on the resources available. 
  • The question paper is sent to all the students through a link and the timeline within which the student needs to appear in the exam. 
  • Before starting the exam, the student has to install remote proctoring software and set up the webcam along with a mic on the computer. 
  • The student has to appear in the exam and submit it on time for evaluation. 
  • The faculty evaluates the answers based on the answer bank that is available to reduce time. 

Which platform is best for online exams?

Today, there are several platforms available that are known to be the best for online exams. One of the best options that you can come across is Eklavya. There are so many reasons why this platform is now known to be one of the best platforms for online exams. 

  • The software is trusted now in more than 15 countries for online exams.
  • It is known to handle proctored exams of a huge scale with certified security.
  • The software helps in conducting a wide number of exam types such as academic exams, aptitude tests, hiring tests, and many others. 
  • Tests can be conducted in different regional languages on the platform.

Can we cheat in the online Proctor exam?

One of the most eminent features of an online proctor exam is that students are not able to cheat easily in the exam. You need to keep your webcam and the computer mic on while appearing for the exam. The software records the background sounds along with your facial expression and your behaviour during the exam. Also, the software is capable of recording your screen and detecting any changes, such as screen sharing, while appearing for the exam. Thus, the software detects any activity that is not normal according to the examination and then notifies this suspicious recording to the educational center that has conducted the exam. 

Are myths true about remote proctoring?

While remote proctoring is getting quite popular in different exams, there are also several myths related to this technology. Here are some of the myth-busters.

  • Remote proctoring is not expensive and is also not difficult to install or operate. 
  • Good remote proctoring software is extremely scalable to use. 
  • The difficulty level of the exam can be heightened with the help of the available question bank. 
  • The students do not have to worry about completing the exam in case of a low internet network.
  • The technical glitches can be easily solved even in between the exam.
  • The proctored exams are extremely legitimate and offer high-class security against cheating.
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