What a proctored exam means
The proctored exam meaning is simple: someone supervises the exam. That supervision protects you as much as anyone else, because everyone sitting the same exam follows the same rules, and so people can trust the result you earn.
A proctored test or proctored assessment works the same way, whatever word is used. For the dictionary side of the term, see our page on proctoring meaning.
Remote and online proctored exams
You take a remote proctored exam away from an exam hall, usually at home, and the supervision happens online. The online proctored exam meaning is the same. Your camera is used to check your identity, the exam opens in a locked browser session, and the session is recorded or watched so people can review anything unusual.
Sitting an online proctored exam at home asks a bit more of you than a hall exam does, since you supply the device, the connection and the quiet room. You save the journey, though, and you sit the exam somewhere familiar.
How does a proctored exam work?
This is how a proctored exam works with Proctorly, one step at a time.
- You open your exam link. Your institution sends it to you. For some exams you can book your own slot from the times on offer.
- Your device is checked. The check makes sure your camera, microphone and connection are working.
- Your identity is checked. Your face is matched at the start, and your institution may ask to see a photo ID. Some high-stakes exams also include a short liveness challenge, such as a simple movement on camera.
- You sit the exam. The exam opens in a locked browser session and your face is checked again partway through. Your face, audio and screen may be recorded, depending on the rules your institution has set.
- The session is reviewed. Software may flag moments that look unusual. A trained person reviews every flag, and the outcome is decided by your institution alone.
For some exams a live proctor watches a small group and may reach you by chat or audio if something needs attention.
Proctored exam requirements
Here is what you need to take an exam with Proctorly:
- A device: a laptop, desktop, tablet or mobile phone with a camera and microphone that work.
- A browser: Chrome, Safari, Edge or Ulaa.
- A connection: at least 512 Kbps download and 128 Kbps upload.
- A desktop app, on some exams: a few exams need the small Proctorly desktop app installed on a Windows computer, and your exam link will tell you if yours does. The app notes which apps are open and never reads your documents.
- A quiet, well-lit space where you can sit alone with your face clearly visible.
- Your ID, if your institution asks for it.
Before the exam
Go through this list a day or two ahead, well before the exam starts.
- Run the device check from your exam link and fix anything it flags. Our public system check for online exam works without logging in, and our webcam test lets you try your camera.
- Charge your device and keep the charger within reach.
- Close any apps and browser tabs you will not need.
- Find your ID if your institution has asked for one.
- Pick your room, and sit facing a light source with no window behind you.
- Let the people you live with know when the exam starts so they can keep the room quiet.
- Read your institution’s rules for the exam, including which materials, if any, you may use.
Proctored exam rules
Every institution sets its own online proctored exam rules, and your exam instructions take priority. The rules candidates see most often are these:
- Stay in camera view for the entire exam.
- Sit alone, with nobody else in the room or helping you.
- Keep phones, smartwatches and other devices out of reach unless your instructions allow them.
- Do not open other apps, tabs or windows, and do not plug in extra monitors.
- Do not use AI tools, chat apps or remote-access software.
- Use only materials your institution permits, such as a calculator or rough paper.
- Stay in the exam until you submit, unless a break is allowed.
If you forget a rule, you may see an on-screen reminder, for example asking you to move back into view. Reminders are meant to help you, and they are logged with the session.
Need an accommodation such as extra time, breaks or assistive software? Ask your institution before exam day so it can be arranged.
During the exam: what is captured
Before you start, you will be told what is captured. Depending on your institution’s rules, this may include your face on camera, audio from the microphone, your screen and exam events such as leaving the exam window. Some exams ask you to photograph your rough work with your phone so it can be attached to the question for the marker.
Nothing is captured in secret, and Proctorly makes no attempt to read your emotions or personality from your face or voice.
If something goes wrong
Technical problems do happen. If your connection drops, your camera stops working or your screen freezes:
- Stay calm and remain in your seat.
- Contact support immediately through the help link on your exam screen. Support runs 24×7 during exams.
- Write down what happened and when, in case your institution asks.
The interruption is recorded as a technical gap, so whoever reviews your session can see what happened and at what time.
After the exam: flags and review
Once you submit, software may have flagged moments that looked unusual, such as a second face in view or a phone on the desk. A flag does not accuse you of anything. A trained person reviews every flag, checks what actually happened and records a decision with a reason. Plenty of flags have ordinary explanations, like reading a question aloud or a family member walking past.
The outcome is decided by your institution alone. To learn more, read what happens if you get flagged on a proctored exam. If your institution opens a case, ask how its appeal process works.
Your data and privacy
How long your recordings are kept is up to your institution. Data hosted in the client’s geographic location by default. Your recordings are never used to train AI models unless your institution opts in. Our page on proctoring privacy has the full details.
Proctored exam tips
These proctored exam tips help you get the setup right so you can concentrate on the questions.
- Rehearse your setup. The day before, sit in your exam spot with the same device and lighting.
- Use a wired or strong connection. Sit near your router and ask others at home to avoid streaming video while you are in the exam.
- Keep your desk clear. Take away papers, books and devices you are not allowed to use, so nothing raises questions afterward.
- Think aloud quietly, or not at all. Reading aloud is not misconduct, though a quiet session is easier for everyone.
- Log in early. Identity checks take a few minutes, and an early start means you will not feel rushed.
- Ask questions before, not during. Contact your institution about rules, materials or accommodations ahead of exam day.
Is the GRE, TOEFL or Coursera proctored?
Proctorly does not run these exams. Each is run by its own provider, and the rules change from time to time, so always check the provider’s current website.
- Is GRE proctored? You can take the GRE General Test at a test center or as an at-home test supervised online.
- Is TOEFL proctored? TOEFL iBT is available at test centers and as an at-home edition supervised online.
- Is Coursera proctored? Most Coursera course quizzes are unproctored, although some programs and degree courses use proctored exams.
Frequently asked questions
What is a proctored test?
It is a test that someone supervises to confirm who is taking it and that the rules are followed. Online, that supervision runs through your camera, microphone and screen, plus a locked browser session. With Proctorly, software may flag unusual moments, a trained person reviews every flag and only your institution decides the outcome. You are told what is captured before you begin.
Can I take a proctored exam on my phone or tablet?
Often you can. Proctorly supports laptops, desktops, tablets and mobile phones that have a camera and microphone, in Chrome, Safari, Edge or Ulaa, with at least 512 Kbps download and 128 Kbps upload. Your institution chooses which devices each exam allows, and some exams require a Windows computer running the small Proctorly desktop app. Your exam link will tell you what you need.
What happens if my internet drops during the exam?
Stay where you are and contact support right away through the help link on your exam screen. Support runs 24×7 during exams. The interruption is recorded as a technical gap, and reviewers see it in that context. Let your institution know what happened as soon as you can, since it decides what comes next, such as extra time or a resit.
Will the AI decide that I cheated?
No. Software may flag moments that look unusual, but a flag is not a finding. A trained person reviews every flag and records a decision with a reason. Your institution alone decides the outcome, with the evidence in front of it. If it opens a case, you can ask about its appeal process.
How do I prepare for an online proctored exam at home?
A day early, run the device check from your exam link. Pick a quiet, well-lit room where you can sit alone facing the light. Clear your desk, charge your device, close other apps and keep your ID handy if it is required. Read your institution’s rules on materials and breaks and request any accommodation before exam day. On the day, log in early so the identity checks are not rushed.