Guide · 8 min read
What is a proctored exam?
A proctored exam is a test that's supervised — in person or online — to confirm the right person is taking it and that they're following the rules. Proctoring exists so a certificate, course grade, or licensing decision can be trusted by the institution behind it.
The three types of online proctoring
1. Live proctoring
A human proctor watches the student over video in real time. They verify ID, perform a room scan, and can intervene if something looks off. It's the closest equivalent to a traditional testing center — high-trust but the most expensive option, and it requires scheduling against the proctor's availability.
2. Record-and-review
The session is recorded — webcam, screen, sometimes a second camera — and reviewed afterwards by a human reviewer or trained academic. Students get the flexibility to start any time within a window; the institution gets a defensible record without paying for a live proctor per student.
3. Automated (AI) proctoring
Software flags anomalies during the exam: a second face appearing, the student leaving the frame, browser focus changes, multiple voices, or sudden movement. Flagged moments are surfaced to a human for the final call — automation doesn't fail students on its own when it's implemented responsibly.
What students actually experience
- System check. A short pre-flight tests your browser, webcam, microphone, and network — usually 2 minutes.
- Identity verification. You'll show a photo ID to the camera. Some setups also do a brief room scan.
- Secure browser. Many exams launch in Safe Exam Browser or a locked-down mode that blocks other apps, tabs, and screen sharing.
- Second camera (optional). Some institutions ask you to pair your phone via a QR code so a side view of your desk is captured.
- The exam itself. Questions appear like any online test. Don't leave the frame, don't talk to anyone, and don't open other windows.
How to prepare
- Run the system check the day before — not 5 minutes before the start.
- Pick a quiet, well-lit room with a clear desk. Phones away unless required.
- Have your ID ready. Charge your laptop and phone.
- Close every other app, especially anything that opens pop-ups or notifications.
- If you have an accommodation (extra time, screen reader), confirm it's applied to your session before exam day.
Is proctoring fair?
When it's done right: yes. The signal that matters is whether a human reviews every flag before a student is penalised, whether students have a way to appeal, and whether the system was tested across different lighting, skin tones, and assistive tech. We treat all three as table stakes — automated flags are decision support, not decisions.
Common questions
Will the proctor see my whole room?
Only what your camera sees, and only during the session. Recordings are deleted on a fixed retention schedule (30 days by default on Gater).
Can I take a bathroom break?
Depends on the rules your institution sets. Live proctoring usually allows it with a request; record-and-review often allows brief breaks that are reviewed afterwards.
What if my internet drops?
Most platforms (Gater included) save your progress continuously and let you resume from where you were once you reconnect.
Running proctored exams at your institution?
Gater combines all three methods — live, record-and-review, and AI flagging — on EU infrastructure with full DPA support. Pilots typically launch in 7–10 days.