You’re an HR manager at a fast-growing company. You’re tasked with hiring top talent from across the globe. But there’s a catch - you need to ensure the integrity of the hiring process.
Traditional methods of proctoring are not feasible due to geographical constraints and the sheer volume of candidates. This is where video proctoring comes into play.
Video proctoring has revolutionized the way companies conduct exams and assessments.
According to a report published by PeopleMatters, it’s estimated that 30 to 50 percent of candidates cheat during assessments. This is a significant concern for HR managers like you, as it directly impacts the quality of hires and the credibility of the hiring process.
To combat this, many companies have started leveraging video proctoring in their hiring process. Let’s explore the types of video proctoring you can employ, their advantages and finally, tools you can utilize to ease into best practices when it comes to video proctoring.
What is Video Proctoring?
Video proctoring, also known as remote proctoring, is a technology that allows for assessments to be conducted in a location of the test taker’s choosing under exam conditions. This is achieved by monitoring the test taker through video, using either live proctors or automated software to ensure the integrity of the exam.
In the traditional hiring process, assessments are usually conducted in a controlled environment where invigilators or proctors supervise the process.
However, with the advent of technology and the need for remote hiring, video proctoring has emerged as a viable solution. It allows companies to conduct assessments without geographical constraints, making the hiring process more efficient and scalable.
Several prominent companies across various industries have recognized the value of video proctoring in their hiring process.
For instance, Amazon and Walmart Labs, two of the world’s largest retail companies, have been early adopters of online proctoring for their recruitment needs.
Cognizant, a multinational technology company, and Honeywell, a diversified technology and manufacturing company, have also incorporated video proctoring into their hiring process.
👉 Read more: 7 Vital Online Exam Proctoring Settings To Prevent Cheating
Types of Video Proctoring
Video proctoring, a pivotal tool in modern remote assessments, can be categorized into several types, each with its unique features and applications. Understanding these variations helps institutions and organizations select the most appropriate proctoring solution for their needs.
Here are the primary types of video proctoring:
1. Live Proctoring
Live proctoring involves real-time monitoring of exam sessions by trained proctors through webcam feeds and screen sharing. This approach enables proctors to directly intervene if they detect any form of cheating or suspicious activity, ensuring the integrity of the exam process.
Use: Ideal for high-stakes exams where maintaining the utmost integrity is critical.
Pros:
- Immediate intervention in case of misconduct.
- Personalized monitoring adds a human element, potentially deterring cheating.
- High level of security and trustworthiness.
2. Recorded Proctoring
In recorded proctoring, candidates' exam sessions are recorded, including video, audio, and screen activity, for subsequent review by proctors. This method does not provide real-time intervention but allows for thorough post-exam analysis to identify any breaches of exam rules.
Use: Suitable for exams where real-time monitoring is not necessary, but a detailed review post-exam is required to ensure compliance and integrity.
Pros:
- Flexibility in proctoring, as review can happen post-exam.
- Reduces the need for a large number of proctors to be available simultaneously.
- Can still effectively deter and detect cheating with thorough post-exam reviews.
3. Automated Proctoring
Automated proctoring uses artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to monitor exam sessions in real time. It automatically detects and flags any unusual behavior or potential integrity breaches, such as suspicious movements, the presence of multiple people in view, or attempts to access unauthorized programs. This approach eliminates the need for human proctors to be present during the exam, though flagged incidents may require subsequent review.
Use: Ideal for large-scale assessments where employing human proctors for each candidate is impractical or too costly.
Pros:
- Can easily handle large volumes of candidates simultaneously, making it suitable for massive online courses or large recruitment drives.
- Reduces the need for extensive human intervention, allowing for quicker processing and review of exam sessions.
- Minimizes the costs associated with hiring and training human proctors, offering a more budget-friendly solution for organizations.
- Ensures a standardized monitoring process across all candidates, reducing the likelihood of bias or human error.
4. Hybrid Proctoring
Hybrid proctoring combines elements of live, recorded, and automated proctoring to offer a balanced approach. It utilizes AI to monitor exams in real-time, with live proctors available to intervene based on AI alerts. This method ensures efficient and flexible exam monitoring by blending human oversight with technological precision.
Use: Best for institutions that require both the scalability of automated proctoring and the human judgment of live proctoring.
Pros:
- Balances the efficiency of AI with the discernment of human proctors.
- Flexible response to incidents, with AI handling routine monitoring and humans addressing complex issues.
- Enhances the scalability of proctoring efforts without compromising on security.
5. Lockdown Browser Proctoring
Lockdown browser proctoring restricts candidates' computer functionalities during an exam. It prevents access to external websites, applications, and certain computer functions to curb cheating. Often used in conjunction with other video proctoring methods, it ensures candidates remain within the exam environment.
Use: Effective for any assessment where digital resource integrity needs to be strictly enforced.
Pros:
- Strongly prevents digital forms of cheating by limiting access to unauthorized resources.
- Ensures candidates focus solely on the exam content without external distractions.
- Can be seamlessly integrated with other proctoring methods for enhanced security.
WeCP (We Create Problems) provides 7 key online exam proctoring settings to help prevent cheating, ensuring you have the right assessment tools for any type of test.
Whether it’s a high-stakes exam that requires live proctoring or a large-scale assessment that can benefit from automated proctoring, WeCP has everything you need to keep things fair and secure.
Advantages of Video Proctoring
To better understand how video proctoring can transform your recruitment process, let's break down its key benefits.
This will help us see how it simplifies and enhances each step of finding and assessing candidates:
Geographical Flexibility
Video proctoring demolishes geographical barriers, enabling candidates from remote or distant locations to participate in assessments without the need to travel.
This not only expands the talent pool accessible to companies but also democratizes opportunities for candidates who may have been geographically disadvantaged. It fosters a more inclusive recruitment strategy, allowing organizations to discover talent from a broader spectrum of regions.
Cost-Effective
Transitioning from traditional, in-person assessments to video proctoring can result in substantial cost savings. Organizations can save on renting physical venues, hiring invigilators, and other logistical expenses such as travel and accommodation for candidates or staff.
These savings can then be redirected towards enhancing other aspects of the recruitment process or invested back into the business.
Scalability
Video proctoring is inherently scalable, accommodating the assessment of a few candidates to several thousand with minimal incremental cost or complexity.
This scalability is crucial for large-scale recruitment drives, online courses with certification exams, and organizations with a global presence seeking to standardize their assessment processes across multiple countries.
Integrity
The integrity of the assessment process is paramount, and video proctoring employs sophisticated techniques such as identity verification, gaze tracking, and machine learning algorithms to detect cheating.
These measures ensure that the assessment results are a true reflection of a candidate's abilities, maintaining the credibility and fairness of the examination process.
Convenience
By offering the flexibility to take assessments at a convenient time, video proctoring significantly enhances the candidate experience.
This flexibility can reduce stress and anxiety associated with scheduling and traveling to test centers, potentially leading to a more authentic assessment of the candidate's abilities and a positive perception of the hiring organization.
Efficiency
The use of video proctoring streamlines the entire assessment process, from scheduling to result analysis. Automated features can grade certain types of responses, compile results faster, and even provide immediate feedback. This efficiency not only accelerates the hiring cycle but also enables timely decision-making.
Environmentally Friendly
Video proctoring contributes to sustainability by reducing the carbon footprint associated with traditional assessment methods. The decrease in travel, paper usage, and physical infrastructure requirements makes it an environmentally responsible choice. Adopting video proctoring aligns with the growing emphasis on corporate social responsibility and environmental stewardship.
The adoption of video proctoring offers multifaceted benefits, impacting not just the logistical aspects of assessments but also contributing to a more equitable, efficient, and sustainable evaluation process. Its advantages extend beyond the immediate convenience and cost savings, potentially transforming how organizations approach talent acquisition and development.
How Does Video Proctoring Work?
Video proctoring works by monitoring candidates during an online assessment through their webcam and microphone. This process ensures the integrity and credibility of exams conducted remotely. Let's dive into a detailed breakdown of each stage involved in the video proctoring process:
Test Setup
The foundation of a successful video-proctored exam begins with the test setup. Recruiters or educators configure the exam on the chosen video proctoring platform, tailoring the settings to match the specific requirements of the assessment.
This phase involves selecting the type of proctoring (live, recorded, or automated), determining the duration of the exam, and applying any necessary restrictions, such as limiting browser functionality to prevent candidates from accessing unauthorized resources.
Candidate Authentication
To uphold the legitimacy of the examination process, verifying the identity of each candidate is crucial. This step may involve several layers of authentication, including but not limited to:
- Presenting a valid ID for visual inspection.
- Facial recognition technology to match the candidate with their ID photo.
- Biometric verification, such as fingerprint or iris scans, where applicable.
These measures are designed to prevent impersonation and ensure that the individual taking the test is indeed the registered candidate.
Environment Check
Before the commencement of the exam, candidates may be required to conduct a comprehensive scan of their testing environment. This typically involves using their webcam to provide a 360-degree view of the room.
The aim is to verify that the environment is free from prohibited materials or devices that could be used to cheat, such as notes, textbooks, mobile phones, or additional monitors. This step reinforces the integrity of the testing environment by ensuring it conforms to the prescribed standards.
Test Monitoring
With the test underway, the candidate's audio and video feeds become the focal point of monitoring. Depending on the proctoring method selected during setup, this monitoring can be:
- Real-time: Live proctors observe the feeds continuously, ready to intervene at any sign of suspicious activity.
- Recorded: The entire session is recorded for a thorough post-exam review.
- Automated: Advanced AI algorithms analyze the feeds in real-time, flagging anomalies such as frequent eye movement away from the screen, the presence of additional faces or voices, or unauthorized entry into the testing area.
This stage is critical for maintaining the fairness and integrity of the exam, as it allows for the immediate detection and recording of any irregularities.
Report Generation
Following the conclusion of the test, a comprehensive report is generated, detailing all incidents and anomalies flagged during the monitoring phase. This report provides a clear overview of the candidate's adherence to exam protocols, highlighting any moments of suspected malpractice.
Recruiters or exam administrators can review these findings to make informed decisions regarding the validity of the test results and any necessary disciplinary actions.
This detailed approach to video proctoring not only ensures a secure and credible assessment process but also adapts to the diverse needs of modern educational and professional landscapes, where integrity and fairness are paramount.
How can you use video proctoring in your hiring process?
Recruiters are always on the lookout for smart ways to make their hiring process smoother and quicker. Video proctoring is a game-changer in this area, helping you assess candidates from anywhere, efficiently and securely and offering a solution that is efficient, scalable, and maintains the integrity of assessments.
Here’s the scenario: You’re managing HR for a company with a global presence, facing the challenge of assessing hundreds or even thousands of candidates spread out across different time zones. Traditional assessment methods just won't cut it anymore. That's where video proctoring steps in to save the day.
With video proctoring, you can easily set up online tests that candidates can take from any location. It ensures the person taking the test is who they say they are, checks their test environment for cheat sheets or other no-nos, and keeps an eye (or camera) on them throughout the test. If anything out of the ordinary happens, it gets flagged. This way, you can trust the results are genuine.
Wondering how to get started? WeCP (We Create Problems) has your back. WeCP’s platform offers a comprehensive solution for your assessment needs, providing all types of video proctoring - Live Online Proctoring, Recorded Proctoring, and Advanced Automated Proctoring.
No matter if you're running an important test where watching live is crucial, or if you've got so many candidates that automating the process makes more sense, WeCP covers all bases.
In today's tech-driven world, using video proctoring isn't just a cool new trend; it's a must-have for recruiters looking to keep up. It’s an essential tool for recruiters to ensure a fair, efficient, and scalable hiring process.
Want to know more on how WeCP can help you out? Try WeCP for free or Schedule a Call with us.
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