Online test proctoring systems provide increased security for online tests. Depending on the system used and the settings enabled, an online proctoring system may include identity verification, controlling or recording the student’s screen, and monitoring and/or recording the student via webcam while they take the test. Webcam monitoring may use a live proctor employed by the online proctoring service or an automated AI-driven algorithm.
There is no official policy about the use of online proctoring services; faculty can choose whether or not to use online test proctoring. The Higher Learning Commission (HLC), however, requires that students are notified of any fees required for the course while they are able to drop the course or modify their schedule.
The fees can be disclosed in MyNIU when students to register. You may also want to send students a welcome email to the course prior to the first week and include any required equipment, like a webcam or a computer that can support the proctoring service.
We highly recommend letting your students know that you will be using online test proctoring as early as possible. You should let your students know the following:
Currently, NIU has agreements with Respondus Monitor (automated proctoring and lockdown browser) and Examity (automated or live proctoring). Learn more about online proctoring tools at NIU.
If you are delivering an exam in-person but need to provide a way for a few students to take the test remotely, you can proctor via Zoom.
There are a number of ways to increase academic integrity in online exams.
Learn more about options for delivering virtual exams.
If you usually use exams to assess student learning, we recommend considering three principles when rethinking your exams:
Learn more about options for delivering virtual exams.
The Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning has developed a tutorial on academic integrity that you can ask your students to complete. They receive a certificate of completion that they can submit as evidence.
Student Conduct has also created a video quiz on academic misconduct that you can assign for your students.
The University has a site license with Respondus through June 2022 that allows unlimited use of Respondus Monitor.
Examity offers two primary solutions, live proctoring and fully automated proctoring. The cost for Examity proctored exam costs range from $4-$29 per exam depending on length and type of exam.
| Test Duration | Cost (Per student per test) |
| 60 Minutes or Less | $12.00-$15.00 |
| Each Additional Hour | $5.00-$7.00 |
| Test Duration | Cost (Per student per test) |
| Any Duration | $4-$6 |
Students may incur additional costs for equipment, such as purchasing a webcam or laptop to support proctoring. They may need to pay to get an official ID card, such as a state ID, if they do not already have one to be able to pass the identify verification. Students may need to increase their bandwidth capacity if they are relying on a cellular data plan for their primary Internet connection.
Initial set up is fairly simple for you. Once students have completed their exams, you will need to spend time to review the videos for any potential incidents. With a live proctor, those should be minimal, as the proctor will be able to determine whether the student has potentially violated the exam parameters.
For automated proctoring, the proctoring service will use an algorithm to review the video to identify potential violations. The algorithm will likely identify far more potential violations, and you will need to watch them to determine whether any misconduct took place.
All online test proctoring services collect personal data about students. This includes information from Blackboard, such as name, account ID, and course enrollments. The proctoring service also records video of the student (and anyone else in the room with them) and the location where they are taking their exam (likely their home), as well as recordings of their computer screen. The proctoring service may also record a photo of the student’s driver’s license or other official ID and a photo of the student, for comparison.
In some cases, the proctoring service may collect information about the student’s computer, their location (based on IP), the time they completed the exam, and the amount of time spent on each question.
You should review the privacy policy for the proctoring service you are using, and share it with your students:
The online test proctoring service has access to the videos recorded of the student and their surroundings. At NIU, the instructor of record and anyone with Instructor or Teaching Assistant access to the course is able to review the videos.
In Respondus Monitor, faculty are able to request an export of the video to submit to Student Conduct to support a report of misconduct. It is important that faculty treat the exported video as confidential and share it securely.
Privacy and security are important considerations in the institution’s adoption of proctoring services. The services available at NIU are FERPA compliant.
For more information on security and privacy, you should review the privacy policy for the proctoring service you are using, and share it with your students:
Online test proctoring is just one of many options for delivering exams via virtual instruction. For more details on all the options available or to discuss further on how to implement online test proctoring in your course, reach out to the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning, citl@niu.edu.