Ensuring Fairness in Online Exams: Maintaining Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a critical element of any educational system. It refers to the honesty and ethical conduct that students must exhibit in all academic activities, including exams. With the rise of online learning, the need for ensuring academic integrity has become more crucial than ever.

While online exams offer flexibility and convenience, they also pose challenges in terms of monitoring and preventing cheating. In this article, we will take a closer look at how online exams are monitored and the different methods used to ensure academic integrity.

Is Cheating Possible in Online Exams?

Cheating is a concern in any exam, and online exams are no exception. With the ease of accessing information online and the ability to work remotely, the temptation to cheat may be greater for some students. However, online exams can be designed and monitored in ways that make cheating difficult or impossible.

One common form of cheating in online exams is the use of unauthorized materials. Students may try to use textbooks, notes, or even the internet to look up answers during the exam. Another form of cheating is collaboration between students. With online exams, it can be easier for students to communicate with each other and share information during the exam. Finally, some students may try to cheat by having someone else take the exam for them.

Are you wondering how online exams are monitored to prevent cheating? Here is how.

How Online Exams are Monitored to Avoid Malpractices?

The following technologically advanced methods are how online exams are monitored to avoid malpractices-

Automated Proctoring : Automated proctoring is a technology-driven method used to monitor online exams. It involves the use of software that can detect and prevent cheating in real time. The software uses keystroke analysis, browser lockdown and facial recognition technology to ensure that students are not engaging in any suspicious behaviour during the exam.

Live Proctoring: Live proctoring involves the use of a human proctor who monitors the exam in real-time. The proctor can intervene if they detect any suspicious behaviour or cheating attempts.

Record and Review: Record and review is a method where the exam is recorded and then reviewed later for any signs of cheating. This method is less intrusive than live proctoring and allows students to take the exam without feeling scrutinized.

Random Questions & Answers: Random Q&A is a method where questions and answers are presented in a random order to each student. This method ensures that students cannot share answers or cheat by looking over someone else’s shoulder.

Time Limits: Time limits are a simple but effective way to prevent cheating. By setting a time limit for the exam, students are forced to focus on the exam and not waste time on cheating attempts.

So how online exams are monitored by testing bodies? With the help of exam security companies.

Why Take Help from an Exam Security Company?

An exam security company can play a vital role in preventing exam malpractice by providing a range of services and tools that ensure the integrity of the exam process. Here are some ways how online exams are monitored by exam-conducting companies to maintain academic integrity:

Secure Exam Delivery: A secure exam conducting agency can use secure exam delivery methods to prevent cheating. For example, they can use a lockdown browser that restricts access to other websites or software during the exam, or they can use an encrypted exam delivery system that prevents exam questions from being stolen.

Online Proctoring: An exam-conducting agency can provide online proctoring services that monitor exam takers in real-time. Online proctors can use video, audio, and screen-sharing tools to ensure that exam takers are not cheating during the exam.

Identity Verification: A secure exam conducting agency can use identity verification tools to ensure that the person taking the exam is the actual student. They can require students to provide government-issued identification or use biometric identification tools such as facial recognition software to verify the student’s identity.

Automated Cheating Detection: A secure exam-conducting agency can use automated cheating detection tools to scan exam results for signs of cheating. For example, they can use algorithms that detect unusual patterns of correct answers, or flag exams that are completed suspiciously quickly.

An exam-conducting company like Innovatiview uses the aforementioned cutting-edge measures to ensure that the exam remains secure and academic integrity is maintained. We use state-of-the-art technologies to protect exam content or restrict access to exam content to authorised personnel only.

The Bottom Line

Ensuring academic integrity in online exams is a complex issue that requires a multi-faceted approach. So here is how online exams are monitored through various methods. Another key to ensuring academic integrity is to create a culture of honesty and ethical behaviour among students and instructors.