Fairness & Fidelity: Remote Proctoring Best Practices in 2026 |
We all know that alancing academic integrity with flexibility for health science learners is a major challenge. Students must be prepared for high-stakes professional licensure exams, so practicing that in the curriculum is necessary.
At IMPACT, we’ve done a deep dive on the latest remote proctoring best practices. Below, we discuss potential loopholes, newer software features, the limitations of remote proctoring, and review strategies for instructors.
TLDR: If you are a Respondus user, start using the new dual camera feature.
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A skim through Reddit’s r/cheatonlineproctor forum shows how clever students can be when motivated to cheat. However, certain settings and practices can prevent most offenses. Here are a few key approaches:
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Model and grade the environment scan: Don't assume students know what a secure room looks like. Run a practice test where students complete an environment scan, and give them feedback. State in your syllabus that an incomplete or poor scan will invalidate the exam grade. Follow up on that.
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Keep hands and keyboard in view: Online cheating communities widely agree that requiring hands in the camera frame at all times is the hardest restriction to bypass. So,
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Enable dual cameras: If you use Respondus, take advantage of their new dual-camera feature. Students scan a QR code with their smartphone to turn it into a second camera. This eliminates blind spots and deters the use of virtual machines or second devices.
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Watch for screen-to-keyboard lag: When reviewing footage, watch for mismatches between typing sounds and screen activity, which can indicate the use of a virtual machine.
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Discuss Software Limitations |
Neurodivergent learners or those with darker skin tones or may be unfairly flagged due to limitations in the algorithm’s training model. Open communication with students can help reduce anxiety and make for an easier review process.
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Demystify the software: Talk with students about how the proctoring software works, its limitations, and what happens when a video is flagged. Reassure them that a "flag" is not an automatic accusation—it is simply a bookmark for you to review.
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Leverage platform guides: Use the official guides provided by your platform (like the Respondus guide to understanding proctoring results or Honorlock’s flag interpretation resources) to help you decode what the software is highlighting.
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The most effective way to sidestep the technical arms race is to focus entirely on whether the student actually learned the material.
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- The "Oral Exam" syllabus clause: Add a clause to your syllabus stating that you reserve the right to replace any exam grade with a grade derived from a live, oral exam on the same material.
- Verify randomly and selectively: You don't need to interview every student. Pick a few random students from each exam, along with anyone whose proctoring video or sudden score jump seems suspicious.
- Ditch the multiple-choice during the oral review: Ask the student a selection of the same questions from the exam, but without the multiple-choice options, and have them explain their reasoning. If they score within 10 points of their original grade, they keep the higher score. If they perform substantially lower, they keep the lower grade.
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Humanize the Review Process |
When the exam is over, how you review the footage matters.
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Don't rely solely on the "red flags": To keep the process fair, review a random selection of "green" (unflagged) videos in addition to those flagged by the software.
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Watch the eyes and the averages: When reviewing, look closely at the student's eye movements rather than just body shifts. Additionally, keep in mind that as you tighten security and implement these practices, class score averages may drop slightly—this is a normal stabilization as unearned advantages are minimized.
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The School of Medicine & Health Sciences IMPACT team:
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