A Day in the Life of a Remote Proctor

As the remote proctoring sector develops, there is an increasing demand for proctoring software for online exams and secure exam proctors. Although it may seem like an arduous career, exam proctoring is actually very exciting. Here’s what a day in the life of a secure exam proctor looks like.

A benefit of remote proctoring is that test takers can take exams anywhere. This also means you can work from anywhere in the world as long as you have a laptop or computer that can use proctoring software for online exams that your company uses.

Before any exam session, you must turn on your device and log into the proctoring software for online exams used with your secure exam proctoring company, with your proctor account information. Proctors may have multiple exam sessions on any given day so it is important to check your schedule. When you get to your calendar, it should tell you how many sessions you have coming up.

Once you log into your session, you can begin check-in for the test takers for the session. The check-in requires you to approve students to be let into the session so they can settle in and take the exam. The process consists of examining their photo ID and confirming it matches the test taker in the live video of the student, before looking over their exam environment. Note that different tests may have different requirements for identification. If their photo ID does not match the person or if the exam environment is not bright enough, too messy, or has materials that are not allowed, inform the student that they cannot take the exam until those things are changed to fit the exam’s requirements.

Once a student has checked in, you can guide them to their exam. Some students may have questions about the session, they can communicate either through the chat feature or by speaking to you directly. Answer any questions they may have about the session both before and during the exam in a timely manner.

When the time comes for the exam to start, inform students that they can begin. Put students in multi-view on the proctoring software for online exams and monitor the students’ videos next to their peers’.

If a student is behaving abnormally, you should check-in on them. Sometimes this could be minor background noise like a siren in the distance or a dog barking. However, sometimes it could be a case of cheating. You may see them staring off at a particular spot off camera that might have notes or catch suspicious movement in the background. For such instances, you may have to ask them to stop doing the flagged activity or potentially report them for academic dishonesty and end their exam session abruptly. Stay alert at all times to catch such incidents and address them as soon as possible, rather than waiting until the very end or letting them get away with it.

Sometimes someone will show up to their exam late, either due to unforeseen circumstances or after prior approval. Repeat the ID verification process with them so they can begin to take their exam as well. In addition, sessions will overlap so you will have a new wave of students who need to check-in for their exam. Repeat the ID verification process again by having students show you their photo ID as well as a scan of their exam environment to ensure both are adequate for the exam you will be proctoring. Make sure they can navigate the proctoring software for online exams sufficiently as well to ensure a smooth exam experience. Once you finish checking all the test takers from the new wave in, you can add them to your multi-view screen.

Your first wave should be finishing up now. Inform test takers that they are close to the end of their time. Check your candidates out as they finish up their exams.

And now you’re done for the day, all from your desk at home.