Students Cheat on Online Proctored Exams in these 5 Ingenious Ways

Last Updated on February 28, 2023 by Andrew

Academic cheating has long been one of the most serious issues in education. According to a study conducted by Dr. Donald McCabe, 95% of students admitted to cheating in some way, whether during online exams or homework assignments.

Rapid technological advancement and widespread adoption of e-learning have exacerbated the situation. While educational institutions try to adjust to the new studying reality by implementing various remote proctoring solutions, students take advantage of their uncertainty and lack of experience to find loopholes and receive higher grades without putting in much time or effort. In this article, we will look at the ten most common methods of cheating on online proctored exams and offer advice on how to avoid academic misconduct in the digital environment. 

What Exactly Is a Proctored Exam, and How Does It Work?

A proctored exam implies that test takers are constantly monitored by an invigilator during the examination process. Unlike traditional exams, which are typically overseen by a human observer, the integrity of the online examination system can be ensured by either a remote human proctor or special AI-based proctoring software. Aside from protecting academic integrity, educators use various proctoring techniques to prevent student misconduct, ensure the safety of testing materials, create a fair learning environment, and assist test-takers during important assessments.

The procedure for online proctored exams is very similar to that of traditional class-based tests. Students must first pass the authentication process and verify their identity before beginning the assessment. As a result, they are typically asked to enable their webcams and provide a photo or scan of their ID, and the system will cross-check data from two different sources. After a student’s identity has been successfully verified and the necessary equipment has been checked, they can proceed to the test. If test takers engage in any suspicious behavior, the proctoring software will flag it and, depending on the software, either alert the human proctor or generate a report for further investigation. Furthermore, in addition to detecting dishonesty in real time, online proctoring involves the recording of all data, allowing for the review of exam cases if any disputable situations arise.

A wide range of features can be included in online proctoring software. Among the most common are, but are not limited to:

• Audio and video capture
• Recognition of faces
• Validation and authentication
• Browser examination content protection is disabled.
• Detection of noise 

Is it Possible to Cheat on a Proctored Exam?

The role of technology in the adoption of online learning has been critical. They have assisted students and academic institutions in realizing the flexibility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness of distance education. However, as with everything else, technological advancement has had some negative consequences. The internet and other cutting-edge solutions have increased information accessibility, making it much easier for students to cheat. While educators try to devise and implement new strategies to maintain integrity in the digital environment, students develop new sophisticated cheating techniques. 

How Students Cheat on Online Proctored Exams and How to Prevent It?

1. Posing as someone else

This is a very common type of misconduct. It implies that students request that someone else take their exams on their behalf. Impersonation is typically committed before or during an online examination session. In the first case, students attempt to swap places with someone else prior to authentication. They may, for example, alter their identification documents or share exam logins. Other students decide to verify their own identity before giving way to an impersonator. This scenario is also common because most online proctoring systems only conduct authentication and verification prior to an exam and thus cannot deter this type of dishonesty.

Improving the authentication mechanism to make it more dynamic and elaborate is one way to prevent impersonation. It is possible to use two-factor or three-factor authentication:

• Verified ID
• Facial recognition by comparing web camera images with a scan of the authentication document
• Students are being asked to enter a one-time password sent to their previously registered cell phone.

Furthermore, an AI-based exam software detects suspicious noises, other devices, and unusual body language is recommended.

2. High-tech gadgets and technology

Modern cheaters do not typically write formulas on their palms or attempt to look up answers in textbooks. Various devices and technologies assist them in locating answers during online assessments. It is possible to use two-factor or three-factor authentication: 

Students can use screen-sharing software such as Zoom, Google Meet, and others to show their exam questions to helpers and collaborate with them in real time to find the correct answers.

Other devices are being used. Students can use their mobile phones, smartwatches, and other devices to search the internet for information, chat with helpers in messengers, and store important data.

It may appear difficult to prevent students from using digital technologies in the digital age. However, the solution is straightforward: implement cutting-edge technologies in exchange. It is advised to use proctoring software that ensures:

• A secure exam browser
• Noise detection
• Tab switching detection
• Advanced audio and video proctoring
• AI data analysis is all included 

3. Making use of a virtual machine

Because it necessitates specific technical skills, this is a unique and thus uncommon method of cheating. A virtual machine is an environment that mimics the operation of a computer. While proctoring software monitors the device’s main operating system (OS), some students enable a virtual machine as an additional OS to search for answers to test questions.

To combat this type of cheating, educational institutions should use automated and AI-based proctoring, as these technologies are more effective at detecting suspicious student behavior, extra noises (such as typing), and so on. 

 4. Making use of an external projector

Many students are aware that remote proctoring software frequently prevents many on-screen activities. As a result, they decide to mirror their desktop screen to an external display or projector so that a helper can see the test content and signal the correct answers.

An AI-based proctoring solution, which can detect unusual body language of a test-taker and deter other people in the room via video recording, can detect this type of cheating. 

5. “Old school” tricks

Although traditional cheating methods (such as hidden notes or writing on the palm) are becoming less common, they still exist. It is worth noting, however, that they do not pose a significant threat to the integrity of online proctored exams.

For either automated or live remote proctored exams, old school tricks will not be an issue. Artificial intelligence-based software can easily detect suspicious student movements or noises, whereas a live remote proctor can detect this type of dishonesty by monitoring the video and audio feed.

Academic institutions must be aware of their students’ cheating methods in order to eliminate dishonesty on online assessments. As a result, they will be able to implement remote proctoring solutions that are most effective in their situation availed by Mercer | Mettl.