Regardless of world events and economic conditions, the need for skilled professionals to obtain certifications and continue their education remains constant. From nursing to police officers, we’re seeing firsthand an increasing demand for safe, flexible proctoring options for our nation's most important jobs.
With the rapid expansion of online education, certification bodies are asking themselves, how can we offer the flexibility of remote exams without compromising our program’s security? This post will discuss how to protect yourself, your organization, and your test-takers from the top security challenges facing remote assessments.
1. Make transparent communication a priority.
During the exam process, communicating with test-takers is critical to their overall success. If we want people to follow the rules, it’s our job to communicate with them as clearly as possible.
Adjusting from an in-person testing experience may contribute to test-taking anxiety, because test-takers feel unsure they’ll get sufficient answers to their questions and don’t know if anyone will be on-hand to assist them.
By making the directions and expectations clear, you free the candidate's mind to concentrate on taking the test, which allows them to perform well.
Set online test-takers up for success by:
- Providing suggested language and best practice guides right when the test-taker logs in
- Integrating your proctoring software with your existing learning management system (LMS) so they’re already familiar with the interface and features
- Enabling live chat support for candidates before or during the exam
Make sure you anticipate your test-takers' needs when you plan your communication with them. Setting expectations as soon as candidates come in contact with your proctoring system will ease their minds. Keep user experience in mind by making written instructions as clear as possible so that candidates can easily navigate their exams.
2. Make sure technology is compatible for test-taking.
Unlike conventional testing centers, remote assessments use the students' own equipment. Does every student have access to the necessary equipment to take their exams at home? It's crucial to keep hardware concerns in mind when proctoring online.
When proctoring their exams online, credentialing bodies sometimes fail to account for the diversity in backgrounds and circumstances of the candidates. Certification should be based on one's knowledge and skillset, not on circumstances beyond their control.
Standard requirements for remote assessments:
Universal browser support
You’ll have a wide variety of people taking your exam, so make sure your proctoring tool works on multiple browsers to provide a seamless experience for all.
Proper hardware
Most proctoring is done on desktop or laptop computers with built-in webcams or a standard webcam purchased within five years. Currently, most proctoring systems are incompatible with smartphones and tablets.
Internet connection quality and speed
To ensure they can submit their exams without difficulty, test takers must have a reliable, high-quality Internet connection.
3. Protect what’s important.
Remote testing raises two types of privacy concerns: the security of the test content itself and the security of sensitive candidate information. Organizations must feel confident in the safety and security of the solutions in which they invest. When students enter their personal information into their exam, they should feel confident that their data will remain private and secure.
Using a proctoring program protects your organization's valuable exam content from leaks and plagiarism. It also promotes test-taker integrity by automatically reporting anomalies to be reviewed by a human proctor who can make proper judgment calls. Additionally, secure proctoring software alleviates candidates' concerns about data privacy.
4. Provide a secure testing environment that encourages integrity.
Online proctoring creates a transparent, straightforward testing environment that promotes honesty and integrity. Proctoring solutions provide evidence of integrity breaches or questionable activities.
Test-taker dishonesty online is deterred by a proctoring solution that records, monitors, observes, and reports back to the test sponsor so they can review any questionable behavior.
Proctoring software also prevents the test items you worked so hard to develop from being copied and leaked online. Keeping exam content secure protects the time and resources spent by teachers, faculty, staff, professors, and administrators.
The Bottom Line on Securing Remote Assessments for Professional Associations
As more and more of our everyday tasks move online, security and integrity are more important than ever. Your credentialing program remains rigorous with online proctoring. Being unable to proctor in person does come with challenges, but nothing that the right online proctoring solution can’t resolve.
With many of the required features built into modern computers and laptops, online proctoring technology allows instructors and administrators to maintain visibility and supervision throughout the exam with fewer limitations than in-person supervision. Transparency, continuous adjustments, and the proper authentication strategies ensure security for test-takers and associations alike.
Download Continuing Education Exams with ProctorFree to learn more about how online proctoring helps professional associations thrive. Click below to download the case study now.
