The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed organizations to go remote. Not only learning and development departments of organizations have gone remote but the certification wings or certification agencies moved to virtual or online modes. Test centers across the globe for popular certification agencies like Oracle, SAP, Microsoft, Salesforce, and SailPoint, etc. are not fully functional due to the COVID-19 restrictions. So, they transitioned to AI-proctored exams to conduct the certification tests. Here is a quick guide on how AI proctoring is helping the certification agencies in this situation.
What is AI Proctoring?
The AI-proctoring process involves SMART proctoring and live-proctoring. Live proctoring is done using an AI tool and a certified human proctor who invigilates the candidates through online webcam proctoring throughout the certification exam. The robust online proctoring software flags candidates’ suspicious behavior and prevents malpractice and cheating during the exam. It has features like face and voice recognition, face flagging, browser screen locking, identity verification, candidate authentication, review and recording, live proctoring, etc. to maintain exam probity.
How Remote Proctoring Helps Certification Agencies?
Step 1: Candidate Login
During certification, the candidate opens the exam browser and logs in using the exam credentials. The webcam and mic are enabled while logging into the exam portal.
Step 2: Candidate Authentication
The certified human proctor verifies and authenticates the candidate’s identity and credentials verifying the valid ID proof and using the webcam for face recognition. The candidate is then authorized to take up the exam while the AI tool scans the surrounding for additional voices or faces.
Step 3: Browser Locking
The candidate can not copy or paste to or from the exam screen as the AI-proctoring software locks the screen. All external devices (flash drive and printer) are disabled to prevent cheating. The candidate can’t navigate away from the browser or look away from the screen as the AI tool might flag the candidate for cheating. It also records the entire session running on the candidate’s screen.
Step 4: Certificate Auto-Generation
When the exam gets over and the candidate submits his answers the online proctoring software can take a couple of minutes to assess the results. The result is then displayed on the screen. If the candidate qualifies for the certification exam, the digital certificate is autogenerated. The candidate can download it right away.
Note: As of now, proctored online exams are compatible only with laptops and desktop computers (including mac and Windows systems) and not on mobile devices. Candidates must produce valid identity proofs and exam registration-related documents when the proctor asks for them.
Why AI-Proctoring is in Demand by Certification Agencies?
AI-proctoring is integral for certification agencies for the following reasons
- Reduced proctored test center costs enable more candidates to appear from their comfort without worrying about test center costs.
- Grow business outreach as a larger number of candidates irrespective of the geographic location restriction come up to get certified.
- Business scales up when candidates appear in certification exams from anywhere in large numbers.
- Audiovisual recordings ensure that exam probity is maintained. Recordings are reviewed and stored for audit purposes and unbiased verdicts on exam sessions only.
- Automated certificate generation saves plenty of time and paper as the certificates are autogenerated in digital format.
If you are looking for a competent AI-proctored exam for your certification needs then MapleLMS Online Examination Tool might be of great help. It ensures browser control, candidate authentication, SMART proctoring, live proctoring, recording and review, and support to non-white and specially-abled candidates to honestly appear in the certification exams.
