Stop Cheating in Its Tracks and Secure the Integrity of Your digital onsite Exams

In digitally conducted exams on-site, utilizing the “bring your own device” (BYOD) concept, new challenges arise for the integrity of the examination processes.

In the era of digitization, cheating methods during examinations have evolved. Particularly in digitally conducted exams on-site, utilizing the “bring your own device” (BYOD) concept, new challenges arise for the integrity of the examination processes. This approach, where students use their own devices for exams, opens up various opportunities for unauthorized aids and attempts at deception.

In this article, we examine common cheating methods and present effective approaches as a mix of countermeasures and detection methods to uphold the fairness and credibility of exams.

Common Cheating Methods in Digitally Conducted on site Exams

1. Chats and Communication Platforms

Students use chats and other communication platforms to exchange information and answers during exams. This can occur in the form of text messages, voice messages, or images.

Variants:

  • Group chats: Students form groups to discuss and share answers collectively.
  • Direct messages: Individual students can also send direct messages to peers or external helpers.

Challenges:

This method is difficult to detect as communication is discreet and outside the examination platform.

2. Screensharing

In this method, students share their screen with an external person who can see the exam tasks and assist the examinee.

Techniques:

  • Use of software: I.e. classical meeting software is used to share the screen with the exam content.
  • Mobile devices:Sometimes, a smartphone, tablet, or wearable device is used to film and transmit the computer screen.

Challenges:

This method is hard to detect, especially when physical devices like a second phone or a wearable device are involved.

3. Remote Control Software

Programs like remote maintenance software allow handing over control of the exam device to an external person.

Applications:

  • External exam assistance: An external person can directly edit exam tasks on the student’s device.

Challenges:

Detection is challenging as the software runs in the background or can “hide,” and remote access can be subtle.

4. Virtualization

The exam client is launched within a virtual machine or virtual environment on the exam computer to bypass mechanisms like the lockdown mode.

Applications:

  • Access to other resources on the computer despite the lockdown client, such as online sources or materials.
  • Screen sharing or remote access through the host system.

Challenges:

Diese Methode ist schwer zu erkennen, weil es unzählige technische Varianten dafür gibt.

5. Digital Resources

Accessing solutions through platforms like Chat GPT, Chegg, or other online sources is a common method.

Use:

  • Searching for answers: Students can research specific questions or topics online to find answers.
  • Artificial Intelligence: Utilizing AI tools like Chat GPT to answer questions or compose essays.

Challenges:

This method is challenging to control as internet access is often necessary, and the use of such resources is hard to prove.

Measures Against Cheating in Digitally Conducted On-Site Exams

The technical measures against cheating should be a combination of

  • measures to make cheating attempts more difficult and
  • detection or analysis methods, allowing a final review by a real person to identify and prove cheating attempts with a very high probability.

Only through a secure analysis, including strong evidence, can consequences such as revoking exam attempts be enforced. Mere suspicions are insufficient, have no consequences, and may encourage further cheating attempts in the worst case.

1. Use of a Lockdown Client

Functionality: A Lockdown client or sometimes called Lockdown Browser is a specialized client software developed for digital exams. Such software prevents access to external resources like websites, social media, chat platforms and other software on the same client.

Depending on the features a lockdown client is also able to detect foreign control and virtualization.

bizGuard

bizGuard is the lockdown exam client by bizExaminer. It can detect unauthorized remote access and virtualization with strong evidence to be able to take further actions.

2. Algorithmic cheating Detection

By using algorithms it’s possible to detect cheating by analyzing the data which is created during an exam attempt. This includes the analysis of keyboard inputs, mouse interactions, and patterns in general interaction with the exam software. It also includes analyzing the exam answers from all students doing the same exam.

It is important to prepare the data points that led to a cheating detection in a way that clear evidence can be provided.

bizExaminer

bizExaminer is using advanced algorithms in real time for cheating detection.

High Accuracy: By analyzing data points, bizExaminer can detect unusual patterns that may indicate cheating with high accuracy. This information is prepared in such a way that a final review by a real person can determine whether impermissible behavior has occurred.

3. Deterrent Effect

Making students aware of the strong cheating detection possibilities, which ensures fair and equitable grading of exams, and stops cheating in its tracks, can discourage inappropriate behavior during exams in the first place.

Conclusion

In today’s digital age, as educational institutions and certification owners increasingly transition to digitally conducted exams, ensuring the integrity of these exams is crucial. Technological solutions have proven to be indispensable tools in this endeavor. With such solutions, the complex challenges of cheating in digitally conducted exams are effectively addressed, fundamentally impacting the quality and credibility of educational qualifications & certifications.

The combination of these technologies with preparatory measures like mock tests significantly contributes to creating a fair and honest exam. Educational institutions employing such technologies demonstrate their commitment to maintaining high standards and providing qualifications that are viewed as trustworthy and legitimate in both academic and professional contexts.

bizGuard

bizGuard, as a specialized exam client, provides a robust first line of defense by preventing access to external resources and unauthorized aids during exams. This type of technology ensures that the exam environment remains as secure and controlled as possible. Integrating bizGuard into an educational institution’s exam system sends a clear message about the importance of integrity and fairness in exams.

bizExaminer

bizExaminer complements this approach with advanced algorithmic analysis. By not only analyzing finished solutions but also the process of creating solutions or answers, it opens a new dimension in fraud detection. This technology allows the detection of subtler forms of cheating that traditional methods may overlook. Furthermore, real-time detection enables immediate actions against fraudulent behavior, which has a deterrent effect on potential cheaters.

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