Can Proctors See My Screen?

If you’re taking the GRE at home in 2025 and asking “can proctors see my screen?” the answer is yes, completely and in real time. ETS and ProctorU require full screen-sharing during the entire test duration (1 hour 58 minutes + check-in), so proctors can view everything you do. Every click, scroll, calculator use, and even your desktop background are monitored. This is mandatory for the GRE at-home version, taken by over 200,000 students yearly. Combined with webcam, microphone, and AI behavior tracking, monitoring is stricter than most online exams. While your privacy is protected post-test (recordings deleted after 180 days), during the exam proctors have total visibility to prevent cheating. For Indian and international students, understanding this is crucial. Remember, 1 in 250 at-home tests gets flagged for screen-related violations. This guide explains exactly what proctors see, how it works, and 2025 tips for a smooth, unflagged experience.

Can Proctors See My Screen? Yes, Proctors Have Full Live View of Your Screen

From the moment check-in starts until you submit:

  • ProctorU software (secure browser) locks your computer, no Alt+Tab, no new tabs.
  • Your entire screen is mirrored live to the proctor’s dashboard.
  • They see cursor movement, highlighted text, on-screen calculator clicks, and even if you try opening Task Manager.
  • AI flags anomalies (e.g., sudden 100% CPU usage = hidden app). Any attempt to minimize the test window or open another program instantly terminates the session.

What Else Proctors Monitor Alongside Your Screen

  • Webcam: 360° room scan + continuous face/eye tracking.
  • Microphone: Always on to detect whispers or background voices.
  • Keystrokes & Mouse: Unusual patterns e.g., copy-paste attempts trigger alerts.
  • Second Monitor: Forbidden even if turned off, proctors demand you unplug it on camera.

Privacy Rules: What Happens to Your Screen Recording

ETS policy:

  • Live proctor + AI review only during test.
  • Recording stored max 180 days, used only for investigations.
  • Deleted automatically afterward, no human watches unless flagged.
  • No screenshots of personal files just test window only.

Common Screen Mistakes That Get You Flagged Instantly

  • Sticky notes or formula sheets visible on desktop background
  • Multiple browser windows open before launching secure browser
  • Screen-recording software running e.g. Zoom, or OBS, even if paused)
  • Virtual machines or remote desktop tools
  • Dark mode + white calculator (hard for proctor to see clicks)

2025 Tips to Pass Screen Monitoring Without Issues

  1. Use a clean, dedicated laptop, factory reset if possible.
  2. Close every app 30 minutes before check-in.
  3. Set plain white or light gray desktop with no wallpapers.
  4. Practice with ETS’s free “GRE at Home Practice Test” .
  5. Keep taskbar visible and clean with no pinned cheat sheets.
  6. Use external webcam if laptop camera is low-quality. This reduces false eye-tracking flags.
  7. Test internet 24 hrs early. A wired connection preferred.

In short, if you are wondering “Can Proctors See My Screen?”, the simple answer is yes, proctors can and do see your entire screen live during the GRE at home. Treat it like they’re sitting behind you. One clean setup = zero stress and valid scores in 10 days. Your 320+ GRE starts with a spotless screen!

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