Test integrity FAQ

How can I make it harder to cheat on online tests?
What are the main limitations of proctoring software? 
What assessment-integrity software does Missouri Online Support?
Should I use SmarterProctoring for all tests and quizzes?
Should I use LockDown Browser (LDB) for all tests and quizzes?
May I use Respondus Monitor?
Does Missouri Online support other proctoring software?
May I use assessment-integrity software integrated with publisher courseware?
Should I always use strict settings in SmarterProctoring?
What needs to be added to the list for my course in SIS (myZou, Pathway, My View, Joe'SS)?

How can I make it harder to cheat on online tests?

• Shuffle answers
• Shuffle questions
• Show only one question at a time and do not allow backtracking
• Add multiple questions on the same topic to question banks so that students get different questions, not just the same questions in a different order
• Add and remove some questions from question banks each semester
• Do not reuse tests without making changes from one semester to another
• Avoid publisher question banks and tests. Those may be more likely to be available from cheating sites online.
• Keep testing times and windows short
  Note: This does not apply to SmarterProctoring tests as they require extra time to allow for the student to complete onboarding with SmarterProctoring.
• Add a follow-up assignment in which students are required to pick one question and explain in detail how and why they answered it in the way they did.
• Use LockDown Browser
• Use SmarterProctoring or send students to a testing center (MU, UMSL, and Missouri S&T only)

What are the main limitations of proctoring software?

The use of proctoring software places additional burdens on students and creates additional possible points of failure. Students should always be given considerable extra time for set up and to allow recovery from disconnections because of: 

• Time to install/update software
• Time to onboard (start the software/connect to the company's servers)
• Bandwidth issues
• Issues with security and privacy settings
• Hardware issues
• Difficulty following instructions
• Delays in getting support

Instead of using proctoring software consider creating an alternative type of assessment.

What assessment-integrity software does Missouri Online Support?

The University centrally supports:

1. SmarterProctoring
2. Respondus LockDown Browser 
3. Respondus Monitor - limited support at UMKC
4. Examity Live Standard (MU, UMKC, and Missouri S&T) scheduled through SmarterProctoring's interface

Should I use SmarterProctoring for all tests and quizzes?

No. Save the big guns for the big tests. Some experts recommend using online proctoring only for finals in programs that require proctored exams for accreditation. Consider limiting them to midterms and finals.
We do not recommend SmarterProctoring for:

1. Short quizzes
2. Weekly quizzes
3. In-seat tests
4. If you wish to use New Quizzes (New Quiz functionality expected later in 2022).

Should I use LockDown Browser (LDB) for all tests and quizzes?

No. It also has its specific niches. We do not recommend LDB for: 

• Short quizzes
• Weekly quizzes with timer
• Large lecture classes
• Third-Party testing tools

May I use Respondus Monitor?

If you are at UMKC, you may use it, but there is an additional charge for students. Because this involves additional fees, you will need to have notes added to the class in SIS (myZou, Pathway, My View, Joe'SS).

Does Missouri Online support other proctoring software?

No, we do not. Some schools and departments do support other proctoring software such as Examsoft, Exam4, or Exam360. Those are not centrally supported. Likewise, the University no longer has contracts with Proctorio or ProctorU. 

May I use assessment-integrity software integrated with publisher courseware?

Some publishers (ex. Pearson) provide assessment-integrity software (such as a custom-branded version of LDB or Proctorio) with their courseware. Missouri Online does not provide support for proctoring software provided by publishers. Please contact the vendors for support. There are restrictions on its usage: 

1. If there is no extra charge to students, you may use it.
2. If there is an extra charge to students, you should ensure that:
   • The AutoAccess Team at University Bookstores is informed to ensure that those charges are included in the fees charged and to allow documentation of total cost of the course to meet Federal law and regulations. 
   • The University requires that the entry for your courses in your Student Information System (myZou, Joe'SS, Pathway, or MyView) must include that the course uses online proctoring and that students may incur extra costs.
   • UMSL faculty must obtain permission from the Provost's Office to use any proctoring software that results in extra charges to students.

We encourage users of publisher courseware to explore alternatives. These include:

1. Where possible, import publisher question banks into Canvas and give the test through Canvas with either LockDown Browser or SmarterProctoring. 
2. Use SmarterProctoring to administer tests in the courseware. This is not possible with all courseware. Contact us at teachingtools@umsystem.edu for more information.
   Note: We do not recommend using UM-licensed versions of LDB with courseware due to technical limitations.
3. Consider having the test proctored at a campus proctoring Center (MU, UMSL, and Missouri S&T). 
4. Consider an alternative assessment. 

Should I always use strict settings in SmarterProctoring?

No. Different combinations of settings are useful for different situations. We can help you choose the recommended SmarterProctoring exam settings.

What needs to be added to the list for my course in SIS (myZou, Pathway, My View, Joe'SS)?

Giving students advance notice of proctored exams is mandatory—it is required by the HLC and the Code of Federal Regulations in instances where there may be proctoring fees passed on to the student.

For instances where proctoring is required and will require additional expenses, the University requires that the entry for your courses must have a note added that the course uses online proctoring and that students will therefore incur extra costs. The exact wording and content varies by campus. 

If you plan to offer proctored exams for your classes, please work with your campus Registrar and course schedulers to ensure that your class attributes/notes are updated appropriately in SIS.