If you’re asking “how does a proctored exam look like,” you’re probably picturing a gloomy lecture hall and a pacing instructor. Today most U.S. colleges, certification boards, and government hiring tests have moved the watchdog online. Whether you test at home or in a testing center, the goal is the same: verify identity, prevent cheating, and create an evidence trail that can be audited for up to seven years. Below is a minute-by-minute visual so you know what to expect—and what can get you flagged before question one.
The Pre-Check: Photo, ID, and Room Scan
After you click “Start Exam,” the software disables copy-paste, opens your webcam, and launches a secure browser that blocks every other app. You’ll snap a head-shot, then hold your driver’s license or passport to the camera; the AI checks the photo against your face and the printed expiration date. Next comes the 360° room scan: laptop spun slowly, keyboard flipped, monitor edges shown, desk cleared, and finally a ceiling-to-floor sweep with your phone or webcam. Books, secondary monitors, smart watches, and even wall posters must go; proctors have failed testers for having a reflective picture frame that could hide notes.
During the Test: Split Screen of You and Your Desktop
Once approved, your screen splits into two feeds: the exam questions on the left and a small floating video of you on the right. Every mouse click, keystroke, and eye movement is recorded locally and uploaded to the cloud in 30-second chunks. AI algorithms flag behaviors like looking away for more than three seconds, second person in frame, or unusual audio patterns. A live human proctor, often in a U.S. call-center but sometimes overseas, can pop in via chat box and ask you to adjust camera angle or remove a bracelet. If the AI confidence score drops below 85 %, the session pauses automatically until a human reviews the clip.
What Triggers an Immediate Violation
- Face disappears (bending to pick up a dropped pen).
- Mouth movement that matches keyword patterns for “Hey Siri” or “OK Google.”
- Secondary device lighting up in reflection—yes, smart fridges count.
- Persistent whispering even if no one answers.
- Eyes tracking a second screen the software can’t see.
Violations are graded 1–4. Level 1 (accidental look-away) gets a chat warning; Level 4 (clear note sheet) ends the exam instantly and sends a report to your university’s academic integrity office within two hours.
Post-Exam: AI Compiles a “Suspicion Timeline”
After you submit, the platform creates a two-minute highlight reel of every flagged moment. A certified human reviewer watches those clips, not the entire two-hour session, and decides to pass, review further, or escalate. Schools typically notify students within 3–5 business days if an investigation is opened. Evidence is stored on SOC-2-compliant servers and can be subpoenaed in grade-appeal lawsuits, so the cute idea of taping notes inside a water-bottle label is a felony-level risk.
Pro Tips to Keep the Session Boring (That’s Good)
– Use a $15 external webcam you can angle with precision; built-in laptop cams pick up ceiling fans as “unauthorized persons.”
– Sit against a blank wall; patterned wallpaper confuses facial-tracking AI.
– Disable Alexa, Google Home, and phone Bluetooth the night before; accidental wake-words trigger audio flags.
– Schedule bathroom breaks if allowed—stepping off-camera without permission is an auto-fail.
– Dress like you’re going to campus; proctors note professional appearance as a secondary integrity cue.
Bottom Line: How Does a Proctored Exam Look Like?
How does a proctored exam look like? It looks like a quiet, well-lit room where every pixel and decibel is evidence. Expect a digital bouncer checking your ID, an invisible AI copilot watching your eyes, and a human auditor waiting to hit pause. Master the visual rules above and your proctored exam will look uneventful—which is exactly what earns a clean pass.
