Online proctoring – What it should do (and not do)

Video interviews and e-learning on the rise are catalysing the need for online assessments. Remote evaluations need to be conducted with the same probity as classroom tests, so that selection and certifications may preserve their integrity. Organisations need to take a serious look at online proctoring platforms to be able to administer tests remotely.

Unlike classroom-based tests which have invigilators to monitor candidates, online examinations pose challenges – qualified proctors, impersonation, cheating and limited availability of examination centres amongst other things. This is especially true for large-volume recruitment drives such as campus placements. Online proctoring platforms can solve many of these challenges.

How online proctoring works

Online proctoring involves monitoring a candidate remotely during a test. Typically, the candidate needs to have a recommended device such as a laptop/desktop computer with the required software/browser, a stable internet connection, a mic, and a webcam. Candidates would be required to switch on their webcams, and given guidance regarding seating position, visibility etc.

Online proctoring solutions use Artificial Intelligence (AI) for detecting identity fraud, analysing suspicious behaviour, and for audio, video and image monitoring, all of which increases the accuracy of proctoring. The different types of online proctoring include:

Live proctoring – The candidate is monitored by a person sitting at a remote location. A fixed number of candidates may be supervised by a proctor. AI technology can flag suspicious behavior and prompt intervention of the human proctor.

Recorded proctoring – Assessments and video interviews can be recorded so that any impersonation and fraudulent activity can be spotted while viewing the video later. AI-powered algorithms are used to monitor image, audio and video feed to generate reports of any misdemeanours.

Automated proctoring – Automated proctoring platforms provide secure sign-in and AI-powered identity verification and monitoring during online tests and interviews. Any suspicious activity can be detected, and flagged for suspicion with ratings for different candidates. This minimises the need for human resources during the examination, scaling up well for frequent and large scale examinations.

Reap the benefits

A good remote proctoring platform should offer fraud-proof assessments and interviews, and several automated features, with minimal human intervention.
Feature-rich online proctoring platforms offer several advantages. Some of these are:

• Automatic identity verification: Face recognition and AI-based identity verification ensure that only genuine candidates take the test.
• Fraud prevention: Live monitoring enables automated detection of third party presence, cross-conversations, missing candidates, switching applications or blocked video feed. Browser monitoring and preventing screen sharing and mirroring can be done to track misdemeanours. The platform can serve automated warnings to candidates, or human intervention could be done if necessary.
• Being audit-ready: Online proctoring platforms allow for recording of the complete examination, with audio and video feed, date and time stamps. This also ensures that any instances of fraud or impersonation could be easily confirmed with evidence.
• Flexibility and scalability: Besides being both device and location-agnostic, there is flexibility in both scheduling and administration of tests without any compromise on data security. Online proctoring platforms are highly scalable for large volume scenarios as a number of tests can be administered concurrently, unlike in-person and classroom examinations.
• Intelligent reports: When connected with backend systems, analytics can be used to gain insights into candidate performance, identify common challenges, understand candidate response, and many other patterns that can be used to enhance tests.

Knowing the limits

Even though online proctoring offers several advantages, there are certain considerations.

Ensure data privacy

Online proctoring platforms should take into account data protection and privacy laws of the land. Taking appropriate consent of candidates for verification of identity, not storing videos beyond the required time, and protecting the dignity and privacy of candidates should be top priority for organisations.

Prioritise candidate comfort

Candidates need to be at ease, and not feel anxious about the camera being on and being “gazed” at – either by a live proctor or a system. Sharing information about requirements – hardware, software and physical environment, offering a practice session, and helpline numbers can greatly mitigate some of these challenges.

Avoid automatic rejections

Auto-detection of suspicious eye movements and facial expressions should be avoided as it carries risk of bias – people belonging to different ethnicities, regions and gender can have naturally different body language. It also increases manual effort of recruiters who need to review flagged candidates.

Auto-detection of mobile phones or books should not be done as candidates may have a genuine need to access a phone, and systems can falsely recognize similar-shaped objects, creating confusion and increasing manual effort of recruiters. Additionally, from a standpoint of privacy, organisations will need to collect consent from candidates to be able to analyse their surroundings.

While online proctoring can greatly minimise the fraudulent cases, as with physically-proctored assessments, it cannot eliminate fraudulent cases completely.
Auto-rejection should not be allowed as global AI regulations mandate that negative decisions taken by AI require a human review. Genuine candidates should not be impacted by false positives.

Ensure accessibility

Remote proctoring solutions need to be inclusive – taking into account physical and learning disabilities.

Our take

Today’s remote and hybrid workplaces have made it imperative for most organisations to have the ability to administer video interviews and assessments, while not compromising the hiring process. Online proctoring creates a level playing field for candidates, recruiters and test administrators. Interviewers and recruiters can focus their efforts on genuine candidates. It helps businesses enhance their revenues and brand equity.

HirePro offers an AI-powered online proctoring platform for fraud-proof assessments and interviews, with live and automated proctoring, auto-detection of suspicion, and automated warnings.

Automated online proctoring is a flexible and scalable solution for all remote hiring needs while preserving the integrity of the assessment. This is possible due to an amalgamation of AI technology, human intervention and process design while taking into account legal aspects and setting the right expectations.