Proctoring

How To Cheat on a Proctored Exam - Top 10 Innovative Student Strategies

Ullaz Reporter
09 Mar, 2024

How To Cheat on a Proctored Exam - Top 10 Innovative Student Strategies

Academic dishonesty remains a significant issue in education, with findings from Dr. Donald McCabe's research revealing that approximately 95% of students have admitted to cheating, whether during online assessments or homework assignments.

The advancement of technology and the widespread adoption of e-learning have exacerbated this problem. While educational institutions and testing centers strive to adapt to the new educational landscape by implementing various remote proctoring solutions, students exploit their uncertainty and lack of experience to identify loopholes and attain better grades with minimal effort.

This article will examine the ten most prevalent cheating methods on online proctored exams and offer practical advice on preventing academic misconduct in the digital realm.

What Is a Proctored Exam and How Does It Work?

A proctored exam involves monitoring test takers throughout the entire examination process. Unlike traditional proctored exams overseen by a human observer, online tests rely on a remote human proctor or specialized AI-based proctoring software to ensure integrity. Educators employ various proctoring techniques to safeguard academic honesty and prevent misconduct, secure testing materials, foster a fair learning environment, and offer necessary academic support during critical assessments.

The process of online proctored exams closely resembles conventional in-person tests. Before starting the assessment, students typically undergo a two-factor authentication process to verify their identity. This often entails activating their web cameras and submitting a photo or scan of their ID, with the system cross-referencing information from multiple sources. Students can proceed with the test once identity verification is successful and the necessary equipment is confirmed. If suspicious behavior is detected, proctoring software will flag it and, depending on the program, either alert a human proctor or generate a report for further investigation. Additionally, online proctoring involves recording all data, enabling review of exam instances in case of disputes.

Online proctoring software offers a range of features, including:

Recording audio and video feeds

Facial recognition technology

Authentication and verification mechanisms

Browser blocking capabilities

Protection of examination content

Detection of background noise

Can You Cheat on a Proctored Exam?

The advancement of technologies has played a pivotal role in the widespread adoption of online learning. These technologies have enabled students and academic institutions to recognize online education's flexibility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness. However, as with any development, technological advancements have also brought inevitable negative repercussions. The accessibility of information facilitated by the internet and other state-of-the-art solutions has made it considerably more accessible for students to engage in cheating. While educators are endeavoring to devise and implement new strategies to uphold integrity in the digital realm, students are concurrently devising sophisticated techniques to cheat on exams.

As per the renowned quote by Sun Tzu, "Knowing your enemy" is imperative in defeating them. Therefore, it is crucial to closely examine the most prevalent and innovative technical cheating methods on proctored exams. This examination will aid in eradicating student dishonesty in online assessments.

10 Clever Ways Students Cheat on Online Proctored Exams & How to Prevent Them

1. Impersonation

One of the most common forms of misconduct in online proctored exams is impersonation, where students cheat by having someone else take the exam on their behalf. This deception typically occurs either before or during the exam session. Students may attempt to switch places with another individual before the authentication process by altering their identification documents or sharing exam logins. Alternatively, some students may authenticate themselves and allow an impersonator to take over. This method is prevalent because many online proctoring systems only conduct authentication and verification before the exam, thus failing to deter this form of dishonesty.

Enhancing the authentication mechanism with more dynamic and sophisticated methods is advisable to combat impersonation. Implementing two- or three-factor authentication can be effective:

Verified ID

Facial recognition by comparing images from the webcam with a scan of the authentication document

Requiring students to input a one-time password sent to their registered cell phone

Furthermore, AI-based proctoring software capable of detecting suspicious noises, additional devices, and unusual body language is recommended to enhance exam integrity.

2. Advanced tech gadgets and technology

In contemporary cheating practices, individuals typically refrain from traditional methods such as writing formulas on their palms or consulting course books. Instead, they rely on various gadgets and technologies to access complete answers during online assessments. Here are some examples:

Screen sharing: Students utilize screen-sharing software like Zoom, Google Meet, and similar platforms to display exam questions to collaborators in real-time. This enables them to work together to find correct answers.

Use of other devices: Mobile phones, smartwatches, and other gadgets are tools for accessing information online, communicating with helpers via messaging apps, or storing data discreetly.

Preventing students from leveraging technologies in the digital age may appear daunting. However, a straightforward solution exists: adopting cutting-edge technologies in response. It is advisable to implement proctoring software that ensures the following:

A secure exam browser

Detection of noise disturbances

Monitoring of tab switching

Advanced audio and video proctoring capabilities

AI-powered data analysis

3. Using a virtual machine

This method of cheating is considered less common due to its requirement for specific technical skills. Students utilize virtual machines, environments functioning as separate computers, to circumvent detection by proctoring software. While the primary device's operating system (OS) is monitored, students run an undetectable virtual machine as an additional OS to search for test answers without detection.

Educational institutions are encouraged to employ automated and AI-based proctoring technologies to mitigate this cheating. These advanced systems are more adept at identifying suspicious student behavior, detecting extraneous noises such as typing, and enhancing exam integrity.

4. Using an external projector

A common tactic among students aware of remote proctoring software's limitations is to mirror their desktop screen to an external display or projector. This allows a helper to view the test content and signal them the correct answers.

However, AI-based proctoring solutions can detect this cheating by identifying unusual body language exhibited by the test-taker and alerting to the presence of other individuals in the room via video recording. This capability enhances the detection and prevention of such fraudulent activities during online assessments.

5. The 'old school' tricks

While traditional cheating methods such as hidden cheat sheets or writing on the palm persist, they are becoming less prevalent. However, it's essential to recognize that these old-school tricks pose minimal threat to the integrity of online proctored tests.

These outdated techniques significantly impact both automated and live remotely proctored exams. AI-based proctoring software can readily identify suspicious student movements or noises, while live remote proctors can detect this dishonesty by monitoring the video and audio feed. As a result, modern proctoring technologies effectively countered these older cheating methods, ensuring the security and fairness of online assessments.

6. Help from family, experts, and friends

When students take exams from home, obtaining assistance from friends and relatives becomes more manageable. These individuals can be present in the same room as the examinee, view the questions, and search for answers online. Furthermore, dishonest test-takers often attempt to mirror their desktop screens or utilize screen-sharing applications to display the test content to their helpers.

However, combating this type of academic exam cheating is relatively easy with innovative proctoring technologies.

7. Search for the answers online

Students taking online proctored exams typically use desktop computers, laptops, or other internet-connected devices. While this setup allows for studying in a comfortable and stress-free environment, it also provides access to the internet, enabling students to search for answers to examination questions.

Fortunately, this form of dishonesty can be easily identified and prevented if the proctoring solution includes a browser-blocking feature. However, to further deter students from using additional devices such as mobile phones or smartwatches to access the internet, it is advisable to utilize AI-based proctoring technology. This advanced technology can detect suspicious body movements and identify undesirable objects near test-takers.

Moreover, to discourage the use of cell phones for internet searches and ensure a comprehensive view of the testing environment, some proctoring solutions require test-takers to connect their mobile cameras as an additional monitoring tool.

8. Bathroom breaks

Students may exploit excuses such as poor internet connection or needing a bathroom break as opportunities to consult their notes, contact friends, or seek help from family members. What makes this type of dishonesty challenging to address is that it sometimes needs to be clarified whether the excuse is genuine or fabricated.

To mitigate exam cheating during breaks, it is recommended to limit the duration of breaks or inform students beforehand that they must remain on camera for the entire exam without interruptions, including bathroom emergencies. This proactive approach helps maintain the integrity of the exam and reduces the likelihood of students exploiting breaks for dishonest purposes.

9. Sharing of test content

This form of academic dishonesty is common in both offline and online exams, where students capture photos or screenshots of the examination content and share them with friends who will take the test in the future.

To address this issue, it is advisable to use proctoring software equipped with features that protect exam content from sharing and copying. For instance, utilizing a blocking browser functionality can prevent students from capturing and distributing exam material, thereby safeguarding the integrity of the assessment.

10. Hacking the correct answers

Sure, tech-savvy students proficient in programming and coding may attempt to cheat on an online test by hacking the correct answers to multiple-choice questions. They achieve this by utilizing specialized answer-hacking software that interprets exam content as code, identifying correct answers based on patterns of 1s and 0s. At the same time, the incorrect options consist of coding text.

To counteract this form of proctored exam computer cheating, it is imperative to implement enhanced features capable of detecting on-screen activities. These advanced monitoring capabilities can identify and flag suspicious behavior, thereby preserving the integrity of online assessments.

Unraveling the Impact of Cheating in Online Proctored Exams

Cheating in online proctored exams carries far-reaching implications beyond immediate test results. To grasp the gravity of this issue, let's explore the multifaceted impacts of attempting to cheat on a proctored exam:

Erosion of Academic Integrity: Academic honesty is fundamental to the reputation of educational institutions. Students who cheat on proctored exams compromise this essential principle, casting doubt on the institution's credibility and the validity of its qualifications. Moreover, chronic cheating can distort grading curves, affecting the performance and opportunities of honest students.

Devaluation of Education: Cheating undermines the purpose of education, which is to acquire knowledge and skills. Individuals undermine their learning process by resorting to dishonest means, leaving them ill-prepared for future career challenges. This devaluation of learning can have significant professional consequences.

Ethical Deterioration: Engaging in cheating can lead to a gradual erosion of personal ethics. Dishonest behavior cultivated during academic pursuits can extend to professional and personal life, contributing to a culture of unethical practices with broader societal implications.

Threat to Future Opportunities: In the digital age, academic misconduct records are easily accessible to employers and educational institutions. Cheating on a proctored exam can jeopardize prospects such as college admissions, job opportunities, and scholarship eligibility—the short-term gains from cheating pale compared to the potential long-term consequences.

Damage to Institutional Reputation: Instances of cheating tarnish the reputation of educational institutions. This damage affects the institution's standing within the academic community and can lead to decreased enrollment and financial repercussions.

Summary

In summary, cheating in online proctored exams has profound and lasting effects on individuals, institutions, and society. It undermines the core principles of education, erodes trust, and threatens future opportunities. It is imperative to address this issue effectively to uphold the integrity of academic institutions and ensure fair and equitable assessment practices.

Future Predictions

The future of online proctoring and examination integrity will undergo significant development as technology continues to evolve. With the advancement of AI, the capability to detect and prevent cheating during online proctored exams will improve substantially. The surge in remote learning and proctoring, triggered by the recent global health crisis, shows no signs of abating. However, this evolution will inevitably lead to a battle between cheaters and proctoring technologies.

Proctoring solutions must incorporate increasingly sophisticated detection algorithms, machine learning techniques, and biometric verification methods to uphold academic integrity. Simultaneously, there will be a heightened emphasis on addressing privacy concerns and ensuring the psychological comfort of test-takers. As both fields progress, the delicate balance between preventing cheating and respecting personal privacy will shape the future of online proctored exams. Ultimately, we anticipate a more secure, efficient, and user-friendly approach to proctoring online examinations.

Conclusion

Academic dishonesty continues to pose a significant challenge in traditional and remote learning settings. Despite educators' efforts to leverage new technologies to safeguard the integrity of online exams, students persist in finding innovative ways to cheat. They exploit various methods such as internet searches for answers, seeking assistance from friends and family, and utilizing intelligent gadgets.

To combat dishonesty in online assessments effectively, academic institutions must remain vigilant and stay informed about the evolving cheating methods employed by students. By understanding the tactics utilized by students, institutions can tailor their approach and implement remote proctoring solutions that are best suited to address these challenges head-on. This proactive approach is crucial in maintaining the integrity of online assessments and upholding academic standards.