Online or test center proctoring: Which is more secure?

For almost every exam, candidates are required to travel to test centers where invigilators are appointed for the supervision of the process. But, today the candidates do not have to run from pillar to post as the means of online proctoring is gaining traction.

Online test proctoring is becoming more prevalent these days, based on the candidate’s availability and comfort one can take up the test from your home or working space, with a proctor supervising via video camera over the internet.

Over the past decade, we have seen many online courses, programs, and the number of exams that were administered online. Certain programs offer online proctoring and some offer test center proctoring. However, since we’re living in a world of digitalization the process of online test proctoring has become favorable by most candidates.

Let us now look closely at the factors we need to consider while taking up online or test center proctoring.

Online proctoring

• Provides authenticity – the more authentic the assessment is the more actual performance is measured. It is much more authentic to assess a person in their work environment through online proctoring rather than placing them in a test center.

• Schedule as per one’s convenience – the candidate can schedule his/her timing as per one’s convenience. However, ensure that the booking is made in advance, the best part is it is often possible to schedule an online proctor even under short notice.

• Certifications to stay updated – skills and job role keeps changing and to remain relevant in the industry one needs to get certified timely. It is advisable to take up exams every once in a few years.

• Accessibility – one can either use their personal computers to take these tests making it accessible for every candidate to take the tests from anywhere.

• Travel time is reduced – one does not need to waste time traveling to the exam center, this saves a lot of time for employees.

Test center proctoring

• Lengthy exams – most of the exams can be taken just in a single sitting provided the test is longer than three hours, else it does not make sense.

• Geographical convenience – if you’re lucky the test centers can be nearby. For instance, candidates belong from a single university can take the test from the university itself, and at metropolitan cities, at times it is quite possible for candidates to live near the test centers.

• Standardized computers – in test centers the computers are already being set up beforehand. For most programs, it is advisable to get your own device but for some programs, it is not fair. Let us take an example here, suppose for a profession that does not require an IT literate, it might not be fair to expect candidates to have access to PCs with the webcam that they already know how to use.

Today, there are almost more than thousands of exams that are now taken online. This provides the best accessibility to candidates looking for a conventional way to take up examinations. With such security advantages, and strict vigilance many online certification programs are now transitioning from the test center to online proctoring.