How to conduct an Online Exam making sure there is no use of Unfair Means?

 

Though technology makes us more comfortable conducting the exams online, there is a chance of malpractice by the candidates with creativity.

To overcome or prevent cheating in online exams we need to adopt a strong online examination management system. It has the below steps.

 	
Secure Browser
 	
Remote proctoring
 	
Data encryption
 	
Audit Logging
 	
Authorization & Authentication

Secure Browser
Secure Browsing plays a major role to prevent cheating. Secure lockdown browser alerts when a candidate is trying to malpractice. Secure browsers prevent the below manipulations.

 	
When a candidate is trying to open a new window or tab, it will alert the candidate. If it happens three times, the exam screen will be terminated and the candidate will be disqualified.
 	
Keyboard handling will be restricted. If a candidate tries to use a keyboard, the exam screen will be automatically turned off.

Remote Proctoring


 	
In this process, the monitoring of the candidate is done remotely.
 	
In remote proctoring, candidates shall be verified with electronic devices such as webcam, voice-enabled mic. & sharing the screen of the candidate’s device.

Remote proctoring consists of the below processes:

 	
Image Capturing:  It requires a webcam. The system automatically captures the candidate’s image for the particular time interval.
 	
Video Capturing: It requires a webcam. The proctoring is done remotely by either live stream or recording the session.
 	
Screen Capturing: A remote proctor can log in to the system and capture the screenshots of the candidate’s device to check the activity of the candidate.
 	
Voice Proctoring: The purpose of this type of proctoring is to verify the candidate’s voice. A remote proctor can listen to the candidate’s voice whenever the proctor wants.

Click here to learn more about Remote Proctoring Software

Data Encryption

 	
Data encryption plays an essential role in preventing unauthorized access to question banks. It also helps to avoid result manipulation without valid credentials. It is a vital feature to make sure the security of the examination.
 	
The entire communication between server and examination client is also encrypted with a secure mode of communication.
 	
High-level encryption algorithms are used to encode the data which otherwise cannot be decoded easily.
 	
This ensures the confidentiality of the question papers being exchanged between the server and the client.

Audit Logging

 	
The online exam management system provides a detailed logging system like login, exam process, questions, sections, answers responses, and logout actions will be recorded in the system.
 	
Geotagging also can be provided in the audit logging. It shows the exact location of the candidate.

Authorization & Authentication

 	
It is an IP address-based authorization and authentication, it provides access to the examination program is restricted or limited for the specified IP addresses.
 	
If the login id is admin, there is a possibility of having IP based authentication so that only the users trying to log in from specific IP are allowed to access the system.
 	
This enables access only for certain specific IP addresses and ensures complete safety for the examination.

A secure online exam process is essential if you wish to get an advantage from technology usage. The best practices of online exam security can help to conduct the exam smoothly. It can prevent the misuse of technology and the prevention of unfair means can be achieved.
Are you looking for help with Online Examinations?
If yes, check out Remote Proctor which has the capability to conduct online examinations with complete security and confidentiality. It is suited to conduct various types of examinations which include entrance exams, semester exams or term end exams, certifications, skill based assessments, and pre recruitment assessments.
Takeaway
Gone are those days when authorities would be tensed in conducting online exams just because no one is there to check upon the candidate. The selection of good vendors is essential to conduct online examinations more efficiently. A good vendor combines cloud and artificial intelligence to improve the assessment cycle and its results. It provides inbuilt question bank, automated test creation, accessibility and ease of use, white-label branding, scalable and customizable security & proctoring. Make sure to choose the right remote proctored examination solution with an integrated artificial intelligence module.