Impersonation refers to the act of asking or hiring someone else to take an exam on your behalf. This is not a new trick and has also been used in traditional assessments. In online assessments, the risks are even higher. Impersonation can take place in two stages of the examination delivery process; before and during the assessments.

Before the assessments, students share their login details with the imposter. The login details vary depending on the software in use. However, some online proctoring software easily makes this impossible by using advanced identification features such as biometrics or facial recognition systems. Impersonation during the exam process can Take place in many ways. One trick used by students is providing remote access to their imposters through tools such as virtual machines. This sounds like something pulled out of a spy movie, but you wouldn’t believe what students are willing to do to avoid failure.

Impersonation is a common act of exam cheating and can be reduced by using the following approaches:

How to curb impersonation in online exams

Using authentication technologies such as biometric systems and two-factor authentication to verify registered candidates.

Use online assessment software with the AI-flagging feature. AI flagging feature enables instructors to spot and act on suspicious activities in exam video and audio recordings. Some suspicious behavior includes extra audio voices and unusual body language.

Use software such as BioSig-ID which uses keystroke analysis to identify metrics such as typing patterns, style, rhythm, and pressure. These are then used to create a unique persona that is almost impossible to replicate.

The ‘old school’ is popular in traditional exams. It includes tricks such as writing notes in your palms or sticky notes and using sign language to communicate with classmates. Many institutions make a mistake of assuming that these tricks cannot be used in online exams. However, these tricks can be used in online proctored exams, but remote proctoring can catch it.

How to deal with the ‘old-school tricks’

Most of the old-school tricks of cheating can be identified with online proctoring software. In many cases, AI-based flagging is sufficient. But for high-stakes exams, you definitely need a human proctor in real time, because that not only protects the integrity of that examinee’s score but greatly deters them from stealing the test content.

The advancement of technology has turned some students into ‘James Bond’ types of cheaters. They rely on sophisticated tech gadgets and software to cheat in online proctored exams. Here are some creative ways students use software and technology to try and outwit the system;

Tech gadgets such as smartwatches and microphones– These devices enable students to communicate about the exam with people from the outside. Smartwatches can also be used to store answers to the tests.

Using remote software– This is one of the most popular ways of cheating in online assessments. Students install remote software to connect them with help from the outside. Some even use web versions of applications such as WhatsApp to cheat in exams.

Projectors or cameras– This is another way students can cheat in online proctored exams. Students may set up cameras on their desks and have their family or friends project the answers in front of them.

Screen Mirroring– Using certain tools, students can grant monitor access to friends and family in the room, who can help them with the test.

How to stop the ‘tech-savvy’ students from cheating

Use a lock-down browser to stop the student from surfing the web or using any software, apart from taking the exam.

Use AI flagging to recognize and act on suspicious behavior

Collaborate with a remote proctoring provider that offers audio and video proctoring services. You can also add a human proctor to the equation to increase assessment security. Good proctoring services will use two cameras, require room scans, lock down the computer, and other approaches to addressing tech-based cheating.

In many cases, this form of student exam cheating can be referred to as the ‘charity’ of academic infidelity. This is popular in traditional exams where students share exam questions with others who have not taken the exam yet, because they feel they are being helpful – even if it could end up hurting themselves. Candidates may take screenshots or use cameras to record questions and share them with others, or simply try to memorize items.

How to curb sharing of test content

Use ASC’s lockdown browser functionality to eliminate the ability to take screenshots and screen recordings. Proctoring services will flag if students are taking pictures with their phones. Psychometric forensics will look for unusual time patterns.

A student pretends to have a ‘bathroom emergency’ or ‘bad connection’ and the first thing they do after logging off the system is get access to a device or textbook to cheat. To achieve high standards of academic integrity, it’s important for institutions not to take chances.

How to deal with the ‘Water or Bathroom Break’

This is a tricky one, as there is no knowing when the excuses are genuine or not. However, the institutions should try to come up with strict examination policies for such circumstances. For instance, the time for bathroom breaks should be limited, such as there being a 200-item test with two 100-item sections and a 10-minute break between, so there is no chance to come back to items.

This is a method that many students consider ‘safe’. There are several ways family, experts, and friends can help students cheat in online assessments. One way is having a family member or friend in the same room a student is taking the exam. The student can share the questions and the friend or family member can browse the internet and provide answers.

Another way students can cheat is through ‘expert tutors’. Students can hire tutors to help them with the exams or take them on their behalf. In fact, there has been an increased demand for online academic tutors.

How to stop students from getting external help

Tighten up your authentication process by using technologies such as biometrics systems and two-factor authentication. This prevents students from receiving external help from experts.

Utilize lockdown browser to make sure that students don’t have access to remote software or have the freedom to surf the internet.

Use AI flagging to make sure that the candidates don’t display suspicious behavior.

Doesn’t access to a computer and the internet provide students with endless opportunities to cheat in online proctored tests? Yes, if the test is not proctored or locked down. Fortunately, this method is relatively easy to address.

How to stop students from using the internet during an exam.

Use ASC’s lockdown browser function to stop students from accessing other websites or resources on personal devices. Utilize a proctoring services. Do not allow cell phones to be present at the desk.

Student exam cheating remains common. These are some of the popular ways in which students cheat on exams. However, these tricks and hacks should not scare you from reaping the benefits of online assessments. In fact, by using the solutions suggested in this article, we believe you can reduce the risks of cheating and achieve high standards of academic integrity.

Ready to minimize and deter student cheating in your online proctored exams? Contact us today and get a free consultation!