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How to Cheat on Online Exams with Proctoring

We live in a highly changeable and tech-led world, and nowadays, due to the pandemic, education has moved online in almost all aspects: webinars, Zoom-calls, Google-hangouts, MOOCs, online lectures, online tests, online exams. It seems that there is only one thing that stays the same: students and their desire to cheat on exams. So, is it possible to cheat on an online exam, and how would one cheat on an online proctored exam?

There are several ways to do so. They might work from time to time, but students should be aware that online proctoring platforms are aware of these methods.

1. Cheating on Proctored Exams: Old-School Method

Many students still don’t realize how advanced online proctoring really is. Some students still use the “old-school” cheating methods. Just like for regular in-class exams, students prepare small notes on paper, their palms, or even on their legs if they are lucky to have good enough vision! What they don’t realize is that online proctors pay close attention to students’ surroundings. AI-automated remote exam proctoring solutions now use facial recognition and detection technology that not only verifies student identities but also detects when test takers leave the area, move around, or turn their head, flagging potential concerns for faculty.

2. Cheating on Proctored Exams: Rage Against the Machines

On the other hand, there are many tech-savvy (or ones who pretend to be) students who try using tools for cheating. Cellphones, smart watches, ear buds, you name it, they’ve tried it! It is funny to see how creative students are when it comes to cheating the online exam. Yet we still see it all. Examus proctoring solution’s camera works both ways and can detect other technology in use by the student.
Okay, if a separate piece of technology doesn’t help, maybe students can find some shortcuts left unnoticed. Good luck with that! Examus live proctors can tell the difference between a student who is typing an answer and one who’s trying to take a screenshot on most occasions.

3. Cheating on Proctored Exams: Operation Hydration

Education is important, and so is staying hydrated. Some exams take longer than others, and proctors may allow students to bring their own water bottles. Water bottles may seem like an innocent object, but not when it is used by a skilled cheater! Some students manage to turn the bottle's cover to a cheat sheet. This method might work successfully in the classroom, since one or two proctors simply cannot watch every student evenly at any point in time. Unfortunately, for online exam takers, this will not work. Examus online proctoring solution has a gaze detection feature that flags the situation when a student keeps looking at a particular spot for a long time or too often (in this case, a bottle).

4. Cheating on Proctored Exams: Under Cover

My home is my fortress, and a hideaway from proctors for many! Exam takers use furniture to cover cheat sheets; closets, desks, chairs and beds all can act as shelter for cheaters looking to game the system. Blinds and curtains are on the list of favorites for some dodgy students.

To cheat during an online exam, students tape the answers to white curtains or blinds in front of them. Good work! We really hope that writing down the cheating sheet helped you remember the material better. Unfortunately, though, Examus online proctoring solution asks you to show your surroundings before the exam and to remove the “extras.” Use your time wisely!

5. Cheating on Proctored Exams: Partners in Crime

“Just remember, if we get caught, you are deaf and I don’t speak English.” Good friends are a blessing. They truly want us to succeed in life, including passing an online exam. Some use tech help with calls and messages, some use a Bluetooth headset, but Examus webcam technology can immediately spot any such device. Others use less techy undercovers, but not everything that happens behind the curtain stays behind the curtain. Just because you can’t be seen doesn’t mean you can’t be heard. Online proctoring high-quality audio detection in both live and automated proctoring flags suspicious sounds on the spot.

Obviously, cheating on online exams is not limited to the above methods. If you come across some interesting way of cheating remote exams, feel free to discuss it with us on Facebook or Twitter.

We also found some idioms about exam cheating and honesty:

"Plan how to study for exams, not how to cheat on exams."
"Life is the most difficult exam."
"Honesty is the best policy at all times."
"A clean hand wants no washing."

So, stay safe, wash your hands before and after the exam, good luck, and stay tuned!

Examus team

August 6, 2020.
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