Out of absolute necessity, many educational institutions rapidly implemented remote testing with online proctoring during 2020 and 2021. And the move was well-intentioned – to provide continuity for students and avoid gaps in their learning journey during an already difficult time. There is a great deal to celebrate in the hard work and achievement of moving so many tests including online exams, while maintaining the security, fairness, and integrity of tests and qualifications. However, it’s also important to recognize that this transition came with some challenges. However, it’s also important to recognize that this transition came with challenges, such as student backlash against relying solely on Artificial Intelligence (AI) to monitor for potential dishonesty during online proctoring. There were understandable questions and concerns from students about their data and personal privacy, often in response to a lack of understanding and communication about online proctoring. There have even been inquiries from top levels of government globally about the validity and equity of AI-based proctoring. A few years on and the world of online proctoring has rapidly evolved, with advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technologies reshaping how exams are monitored and conducted. As we head into 2025, it’s crucial to be aware of the latest advancements and best practices to ensure your online exams are secure, fair, and efficient. Whether you’re a certification provider, or a professional exam administrator, here’s your ultimate online proctoring checklist for 2025.
Fact File: What is Online Proctoring?
Online proctoring, also known as invigilation, is the process of monitoring individuals taking exams remotely to prevent cheating and ensure the integrity of the test. This method allows test takers to complete their exams from the comfort of their homes or in remote settings. By using sophisticated monitoring software, online proctoring services track individuals via their camera as they answer questions, ensuring that the testing environment remains secure and fair. This technology not only provides flexibility for test takers but also upholds the standards of the examination process.
Your 2025 Online Proctored Exam Checklist
1. Get student feedback
If you used online proctoring for an online proctored exam this past semester, try to find out the students’ point of view and gather direct feedback on their experience and feelings. If you already included a survey of student views about their online proctoring experience at the end of their test, take the time to collate and properly review the results. If not, a quick survey would give you some good insights. Be prepared – all the responses you receive are unlikely to be positive. It’s only to be expected that the introduction of any change or new technology will come with a level of discomfort and uncertainty. Take the good with the bad and remember, any feedback helps you make better decisions for the future around how and when to utilize online proctoring services. The next step is to develop an action plan to address the areas for improvement, issues, or queries highlighted by the survey.
Read Are You Asking All the Right Questions Before Implementing Online Proctoring? for further informationÂ
2. Check Your AI-Powered Proctoring
AI has become an integral part of online proctoring systems, offering real-time monitoring capabilities far beyond traditional human proctoring. By 2025, expect AI to handle a significant portion of invigilation, flagging suspicious behaviour such as unauthorized use of devices, unusual eye movements, or atypical sound patterns. Ensure your proctoring solution includes advanced AI features like facial recognition, eye-tracking, and keystroke analysis. These tools reduce human error and enhance the accuracy of detecting potential cheating attempts.
3. Review your test data
All data is valuable information that you should use to your advantage. After compiling and reviewing direct student feedback, look at the data you have related to test scores and test results. Did the results from the most recent testing period raise any concerns about the overall integrity of a test? Have scores changed over time and were recent marks in line with your expectations? Was there any self-reporting of misconduct? Did your proctoring service flag an unexpectedly large number of students for major violations? This level of review and questioning will help you identify any issues and address them as soon as possible. An issue might be related to student misconduct, but it could also be related to the online proctoring service you use. For example, is your service automated with AI generated flags? Are human proctors always involved? If your service is AI-dependent, review the frequency and accuracy of the flags raised for suspicious activity to ensure they align with expectations. It’s important to verify flags so that you don’t unfairly accuse students of cheating due to an unnecessary flag. But if you do need to spend extra time watching videos because of the high rate of flagging, it’s worth considering whether an AI dependent service is as efficient and accurate as it initially seemed. Again, if a review of your data does raise a concern, the next step is to investigate and find out exactly why.
PSI Re-Affirms Commitment to Human-Focused, Technology Assisted Proctoring
3. Evaluate vendor service levels
Take the time to reflect on the past year and the service you received from your online proctoring vendor. How did you find the level of professional support you received? Were you able to get support quickly when needed? And when you did get a response, was it effective and timely in resolving your query or problem? Maybe take a moment to do some research on how other institutions and students are rating their experience with the vendor you use. A quick online search or scan through user reviews can shed some light on the issue. If you don’t currently log, track, and continuously evaluate the level of service your vendor delivers, it’s worth looking at accurate ways to monitor service levels. This isn’t only useful to ensure that you receive a high level of service from your vendor, it’s also invaluable information to access and use in the future as a record of frequently asked questions. This ensures you are learning from experience and improving all the time. At PSI, we are constantly updating our technology to ensure we provide the best level of service to our institutions. Find out more about us.
4. Review technical support needs
One of the areas to examine in student surveys and feedback is whether your students feel they would benefit from additional technical support. This is a vital element of a successful online proctoring program, as some of the most common issues experienced by test takers are related to technical issues such as unstable internet connectivity, lack of bandwidth, and out of date operating systems or unsupported devices. Improved communication combined with excellent technical support will minimize the impact of these issues. How you log and track student support issues is just as important as how you monitor vendor service levels. And a critical element of this is how your vendor performed when students are at their most stressed times – attempting high-stakes exam with specific system requirements. When experiences can be shared on social media and in the public domain almost immediately, how well supported your students feel with technical issues when taking important online tests will have a huge impact on the reputation of your institution.
5. Ensure Exam Security
Ensuring test security is a top priority in online proctoring. To maintain the integrity of the test and prevent cheating, online proctoring services employ a variety of methods. These include monitoring the testing area through video and audio feeds, detecting and preventing the use of unauthorized materials or devices, and identifying and flagging suspicious behaviour. Additionally, ensuring that the operating system and software meet minimum requirements and providing a secure and private location for test takers to take the exam are crucial steps. By implementing these measures, online proctoring services can prevent test takers from gaining an unfair advantage and ensure that the exam content is protected.
6. Double Check Data Privacy and Security
With the increasing reliance on digital tools, privacy concerns are at the forefront of online proctoring discussions. By 2025, strict regulations such as GDPR and similar frameworks will continue to govern how user data is stored, accessed, and used. It is essential to comply with these regulations while maintaining the integrity of your proctoring process. Choose proctoring platforms that offer end-to-end encryption and clear data management policies. Be transparent with candidates about what data is being collected and how it will be used.
7. Prepare for Accessibility and Inclusivity
Online proctoring services strive to provide accessible and accommodating testing environments for all test takers. This includes offering accommodations for test takers with disabilities, ensuring the testing environment is free from distractions and interruptions, and allowing the use of assistive technology such as screen readers or magnification software. Providing clear instructions and relevant information to test takers before and during the exam is also essential. Moreover, ensuring that the online proctor is trained to handle accommodations and provide support as needed helps create an inclusive testing experience. By offering these accommodations, online proctoring services ensure that all test takers have an equal opportunity to succeed. By 2025, inclusivity and accessibility will be a top priority in the online proctoring world. This means accommodating individuals with disabilities, as well as ensuring that language barriers are minimized. Ensure your proctoring system is fully accessible and compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). Features such as screen readers, adjustable font sizes, and support for multiple languages should be integrated into your system to create an inclusive environment for all test-takers.
8. Utilize Multi-Layer Authentication
As online proctoring grows, so do the efforts to undermine its security. Multi-layer authentication is becoming standard practice in 2025, ensuring that the person taking the test is the legitimate candidate. Implement biometric authentication (fingerprints, facial recognition, voice ID) alongside traditional login credentials to verify the candidate’s identity. Consider adding two-factor authentication for extra security.
To Conclude
As online proctoring technology advances in 2025, it is critical to stay ahead of the curve by integrating AI-driven tools, enhancing security measures, and ensuring accessibility for all users. By following this checklist, you can ensure that your proctoring system is not only up to date but also future proof, providing a seamless, secure, and inclusive experience for all candidates.