Online Proctoring

About Online Proctoring

Using online proctoring adds a layer of security to distance and hybrid courses while allowing students to take tests outside a classroom or designated testing center. Texas State University has partnered with Proctorio and ProctorU to provide online proctoring services. Online and Extended Programs makes online proctoring conveniently available in online and hybrid (INT and HYB) courses.

Student outside working on a laptop

Things to Consider Before Using Online Proctoring

Often the advantages and ease-of-use of online proctoring services are easy to see from a faculty perspective and more difficult to appreciate from the student point of view. A few points to consider before adopting online proctoring, making it mandatory for all students, or adopting online proctoring for every (or even the majority of the) assessment in your course:

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  • To use online proctoring successfully, a student must have the following:

    • Access to a computer with a webcam and a microphone (they may not use a tablet or mobile phone)
    • Sufficient internet speed of at least 700 kbps for upload and download
    • Ability (and willingness) to disable pop-up blockers–even on work or borrowed computers

  • A student must take an exam in a distraction-free environment meaning:

    • No one may enter the room (roommates, children, pets, etc.)
    • No extraneous sounds should be heard by the proctor
    • The student must be willing to provide the proctor with a 360° view around the testing location

  • "Latency" will add new factors to testing:

    • Students will wait for a period of time between when they request access to their proctor at their appointment time and when the proctor makes the initial contact. This first period of latency happens with every online proctoring service and with all vendors. The wait time with Examity® was typically small but not zero. When we first tested online proctoring, some students reported up to ten minutes of latency from when they checked in for their appointment and when a proctor became available.
    • Students will also experience a waiting period as the proctor verifies the identity of the student and prepares the test environment. Depending on the readiness of the testing environment and the student, this latency between the first interaction with the proctor and when the test actually begins can take several additional minutes.
    • Fifteen to twenty minutes of total latency between requesting a proctor and actually starting an exam has not been uncommon. 

  • Not all testing types are compatible with online proctoring:

    • Using lockdown browsers and other add-on technologies in addition to the online proctoring service may introduce technical difficulties. We are happy to test these scenarios with you before they are attempted in a live environment with students.
    • Some publisher-produced online testing platforms may also be incompatible with the Examity® service. 
Two students sitting outside using laptops

Getting Started with Proctoring

Ensuring academic integrity in online courses is essential. Texas State University provides two online proctoring solutions for online and hybrid courses: Proctorio and ProctorU. Each tool offers unique features to support secure online exams. On this page, you’ll find an overview of both tools, along with best practices for their use.  

If you would like to request support setting up Examity or Proctorio or ProctorU in your course, please complete a Consultation Request below and select “Online Proctoring” from the service options. 

Which proctoring tool should I use?

Below are some key differences between the available proctoring tools.

Feature
ProctorU
Proctorio
Proctoring Type
Live proctoring with human intervention
Fully automated proctoring
Scheduling
Required
Not required
Security Measures
Human proctor monitoring, ID verification
AI-based flagging, customizable settings
Setup Process
Longer setup with human involvement
Quick setup with automated processes
Review Process
Proctors intervene in real time
Faculty reviews flagged behavior
Customer Support
24/7 live agent support
Automated support with faculty oversight

Proctorio Overview

Proctorio is a fully automated proctoring tool that provides flexible, 24/7 exam security without the need for scheduling. It utilizes machine learning to flag suspicious behavior for faculty review.

proctorio logo
  • Fully-automated proctoring available 24/7.
  • No scheduling required, making it ideal for flexible testing.
  • Uses machine learning to flag suspicious behavior.
  • Faculty must review flagged behavior to identify false positives or negatives.
  • Customizable security settings, including browser lockdown, extension blockers, and various verification tools.
  • Records and analyzes exam sessions for later review. 

Proctorio Handouts

Best Practices for Using Proctorio

  1. Customize security settings – Adjust settings based on the exam type (e.g., lockdown browser, recording options).
  2. Inform students about monitoring – Clearly explain how the system records behavior and what is flagged.
  3. Review flagged behavior – Examine flagged incidents to identify false positives and ensure fairness.
  4. Encourage a quiet test environment – Advise students to take exams in a private space to reduce unnecessary flags.
  5. Conduct a practice test – Ensure students run a system check before their actual exam to avoid technical difficulties. 

Proctorio- How To

ProctorU Overview

ProctorU offers live proctoring services with real-time monitoring by human proctors. This option provides enhanced security for high-stakes exams and includes identity verification using webcams and ID checks.

proctorU logo
  • Live proctoring provides real-time monitoring and intervention.
  • Human interaction enhances security for high-stakes exams.
  • Requires scheduling, which may not suit last-minute needs.
  • Longer setup process due to human proctor involvement.
  • 24/7 customer support with live agents.
  • Identity verification using webcams and ID checks. 

Best Practices for Using Proctorio

  1. Schedule exams in advance – Advise students that they must book their exams ahead of time.
  2. Communicate with students – Ensure students know what to expect, including ID verification and proctoring procedures.
  3. Provide clear exam instructions – Define what is allowed (e.g., open book, calculator, breaks).
  4. Test the system ahead of time – Have students complete a practice test to resolve technical issues before exam day.
  5. Monitor reports – Review post-exam reports for flagged incidents and take appropriate action. 

Important:

Allow time to integrate ProctorU or Proctorio into your course, set up your first exam, and communicate with students for the proctoring process. If using ProctorU, remind students to schedule their exam in advance. We recommend setting up proctoring tools before the semester begins to ensure a smooth experience. 

FAQ

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