Proctoring:
A False Sense of Security

The prevailing assumption in the testing industry is that proctoring—whether in-person or online—is a reliable method for maintaining exam security. However, overwhelming evidence from research, secret shopping, data forensics, and web monitoring proves otherwise. The reality is that proctoring, as it exists today, is largely ineffective at preventing cheating and test content theft.

Disclaimer: While Caveon Observer detects more cheating than traditional proctoring solutions or competing technologies due to its addition of real-time data forensics (and has other significant benefits), it is not foolproof against many of these same threats. These security weaknesses are solved through Observer Plus, which adds an additional layer of proven protection, bolstering the security of exams to nearly impenetrable levels. Click here to learn more about how the Observer ecosystem solves the security issues of proctoring.

The Fundamental Problems with Proctoring

Traditional Proctoring’s Failure Across Key Threats

Below is a breakdown of the most common forms of cheating and why traditional proctoring methods are largely ineffective against them.

Threat

Why Traditional Security Fails

Test Content Theft (Stealing test content to share online or with other examinees)

Proctoring cannot stop theft. Test-takers use hidden cameras, smart glasses, and other covert tools to capture content. Traditional proctoring methods are ineffective at detecting and preventing this.

Pre-Knowledge Cheating (Using stolen test content to prepare answers in advance)

 

Proctoring cannot detect pre-knowledge. A proctor has no way of knowing whether a test-taker is answering from memory, using a hidden cheating aid, or referencing stolen content.

Accessing Expert Help (Using in-person or remote proxies, AI, or remote communication to receive help during the test)

 

Proctors are woeful at detecting covert communication devices, AI use, and proxy test-takers—especially in remote testing.

 

A Closer Look:

Proctors Fail at Security

1. Proctors Are Ineffective at Detecting Cheating (it’s as simple as that.)

  • Secret shopping results show that in over 90% of engagements, test-takers were able to violate security procedures without being caught by the proctor. These breaches included using hidden notes and smartphones, taking unauthorized breaks, having another person in the room, and even answering phone calls mid-exam without detection. 
  • Often, even when detected, proctors usually only issue a warning, allowing the examinee to continue.
  • This applies to both in-person and remote online proctoring.

2. Proctoring Cannot Stop Test Content Theft and Pre-knowledge

  • Test-takers use hidden cameras, smart glasses, and other covert devices to steal test content, as evidenced by the success of content theft during secret shops. This is in addition to the old-school method of memorizing and sharing content. 
  • Web Patrol® has uncovered extensive online conversations, services, and how-to guidance for how to bypass proctoring systems. Additionally, Web Patrol has identified significant amounts of live test content circulating online, indicating that content theft is not just possible, but actively occurring.
  • Once test content is stolen, it is used to create answer databases, braindumps, and study guides that allow future test-takers to memorize answers in advance—something proctors have no way of detecting.
  • Data forensics analyses have identified extreme similarity rates as high as 85% in certain test administrations, indicating widespread pre-knowledge of stolen test content.

3. Test-Takers Outsmart Proctoring by Using Technology to Cheat

  • Hidden earpieces, AI-powered cheating tools, and remote-controlled devices allow examinees to receive real-time assistance without detection.
  • Remote proxies are increasingly being used, where an external expert takes the test on behalf of the examinee, either by controlling the test-taker’s computer remotely or by feeding answers via hidden communication devices.
  • AI assistance is rapidly evolving, enabling test-takers to use sophisticated software that generates answers in real-time, making detection even more difficult for proctors.
  • Web Patrol and data forensics findings confirm the active use of remote proxies and AI-assisted cheating. Secret shopping engagements have revealed cases where test-takers successfully used AI-driven tools or had another person provide answers remotely, all without being detected by proctors.

4. Cheating Trends Are Overwhelming and Rampant

  • In a two-week pilot certification exam, 85% of 600 tests showed extreme similarity, indicating significant test content compromise.
  • Some testing programs have been so overwhelmed by cheating detections that they’ve halted their invalidation processes entirely due to the sheer volume.

The Way Forward: Observer Plus

To truly secure exams, the industry must move away from reliance on proctoring and instead adopt test security solutions that are proactive rather than reactive. Observer Plus (a combination of Observer and Secure Test Design) is the future of test security. (Learn more here.)

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