How to Cheat on a Proctored Exam? Top 17 Cheating Tactics

“How To Cheat On A Proctored Exam?“, this has become a hot topic among students, as nowadays, educational institutions are taking active & strict measures to protect the academic integrity of online assessments.

A March 2022 study by Jacob Pleasants found that 70% of students in an unproctored online course engaged in cheating. When those students were warned about detection technology and the possibility of strict penalties, the cheating rate dropped to 15%.

This gave universities, colleges, and high schools a positive hope to deter cheating attempts by leveraging AI-powered online proctoring systems like Examinity, Proctorio, Respondus Monitor, ProctorU, etc.

But despite such efforts, Dr. Ashley Norris, Chief Compliance Officer at Meazure Learning, noticed that academic integrity violations are still on the rise as many students are engaging in online exam cheating even knowing they were being proctored.

In this article, we will specifically discuss the 17 common cheating methods students are employing to engage in academic dishonesty, offering insights into controlling such actions. We will also discuss the effectiveness of online proctoring solutions, the consequences if caught cheating, and why taking professional tutor help is always better than risking academics.

But first, let’s begin with explaining how are the proctored exams like.

Part 1: What Is an Online Proctored Exam and How Does It Work?

An online proctored exam is a digitally supervised assessment that monitors a test-taker’s activity in a remote setting. The system uses a webcam, microphone, and screen-sharing technology to ensure the rules of the exam are followed.

In the growing field of online education, the need for exam monitoring technology is motivated by the following objectives 

1. Validating the authenticity of student work
2. Uphold the institution’s reputation
3. Prevent cheating on high-stakes assessments

In short, the primary motive is to ensure the integrity of online exams by replicating the secure conditions of an in-person testing center. 

Proctored vs. Unproctored Exams

Now, the core difference between online Proctored and Unproctored Exams is accountability. Unproctored exams rely entirely on an honor system, with no active supervision. Proctored exams, conversely, use technology to verify identity, secure the exam environment, and monitor for suspicious cheating behavior, thereby creating a controlled setting that promotes academic honesty.

Proctored Exams – How Does it Work

Part 3: How Do Proctoring Tools Prevent Cheating?

While there are many ways to cheat on a proctored online exam, institutions are becoming highly aware of these tactics. That’s why they are adopting sophisticated proctoring solutions designed to anticipate and neutralize these methods.

These tools combine AI, human oversight, and system controls to ensure integrity in online assessments. Here’s how they make cheating attempts a high-risk, low-reward endeavor.

Locking Down the Exam Environment

Proctoring systems create a secure testing environment to block unauthorized software. Tools like Respondus LockDown Browser and Examplify temporarily restrict computer functions, blocking other applications, tabs, copy-paste, and screen-sharing. 

MyMathLab often integrates these to prevent dishonesty (see: How to Cheat on MyMathLab). This directly counters Browser Exploits (#7), Screen Recording (#4), and Plagiarism (#9).

AI-Powered Behavior Analysis and Anomaly Detection

Modern systems use AI to monitor for subtle, suspicious behaviors. Software from providers like Proctorio and Honorlock analyzes webcam/microphone feeds to flag unusual head movements, gaze deviation, whispering, or the presence of others.

This is the frontline defense to detect cheating in online exams and effectively flags Secondary Devices (#1), Hidden Earpieces (#6), In-Room Accomplices (#12), Bone Conduction Headsets (#15), and Hidden Notes (#16).

Rigorous Identity Verification and Authentication

To prevent impersonation, proctoring tools use multi-factor verification. Before the exam, students must show a government-issued ID to the webcam.

Services like ProctorU and  Examity Cheating Detection tools use facial recognition and keystroke analysis to confirm identity at the start and throughout the test. This is designed to stop Exam Impersonation (#11), a serious form of contract cheating.

Live and Recorded Human Proctor Oversight

Human intelligence adds a crucial layer of judgment to protect the integrity of the exam process. In live proctoring (e.g., Meazure Learning), a person monitors students in real-time. In recorded proctoring, an expert reviews AI-flagged events to confirm if academic dishonesty occurred. A human can spot nuanced behaviors missed by AI, like Using Reflections (#13) or Abusing Bathroom Breaks (#5), and differentiate thinking from cheating.

Comprehensive Environment and Hardware Scans

The system ensures the physical and digital workspace is clean before the exam. Test-takers perform a 360-degree room scan using their webcam, a standard feature in platforms like PSI Bridge and Talview.

The software also scans for prohibited hardware, such as secondary monitors or virtual machines, to ensure no unauthorized resources during the exam are accessible.

This prevents proctored exam computer cheating methods set up in advance, including Remote Desktop Software (#2), Virtual Machines (#3), External Devices (#8), and HDMI Splitters (#14).

Advanced Plagiarism and Content Detection

To combat copying, some platforms integrate built-in originality checks for essay questions. For example, Examity Cheating detector can use software like Turnitin, which scans answers against a vast database of web and academic content.

This is a direct countermeasure for plagiarism and cheating, specifically targeting Plagiarism (#9) and the use of AI Assistance (#10) while ensuring exam integrity.

System-Level Technical Auditing and Data Forensics

Proctoring systems conduct deep forensic audits by logging extensive data. Tools like Pearson VUE and Mercer Mettl log IP addresses to flag VPN use or proxy testing rings.

They also record mouse clicks and system events, while keystroke analytics from platforms like Verificient Proctortrack detect changes in typing rhythm. This data provides concrete evidence against Remote Desktop Access (#2), AI Assistance (#10), and helps invalidate Exam Impersonation (#11).

Native Security Features within Learning Management Systems (LMS)

Institutions leverage security features built into their core learning platforms to prevent Cheating in Online Proctored Exams. Blackboard Learn offers a detailed ‘Access Log,’ while D2L Brightspace and Canvas feature question randomization and strict time limits (see: Can Canvas Detect Cheating). 

Moodle allows disabling backtracking and integrates secure browsers (see: Can Moodle Detect Cheating?). These features disrupt collusion and make it harder to use stolen content (#4), secondary devices (#1), or AI assistance (#10).

How Prevalent is Online Cheating During Exams?

Even with proctoring exam sessions, academic dishonesty is widespread, and the shift towards online learning has amplified the challenge of preventing students from cheating on an exam. Key statistics reveal a concerning landscape about cheating on a proctored exam:

1. Widespread Admission: Between 50% and 70% of students admit to academic dishonesty at some point, a figure that researchers believe is an undercount. Between 25% and 90% of students believe their peers engage in dishonest behavior.
2. Recent Escalation: Nearly 29% of students reported an increase in their personal cheating behavior since the start of 2020.
3. Explosive Growth in AI Use: The percentage of students using generative AI on assessments surged from 53% in 2024 to 88% in 2025. A 2025 survey conducted by the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) report says nearly all students (92%) used AI in some form.
4. Pressure as a Motivator: A primary driver is academic pressure, with 71% of test-takers to cheat, citing the need to escape failing grades.

Impact of Cheating in Online Education

The widespread use of online cheating tactics fundamentally undermines education’s purpose. When students find ways of cheating on online proctored exams, they inflict lasting damage on their learning and future prospects. This behavior has several critical impacts:

1. It creates significant gaps in foundational knowledge and skills, making success in advanced courses that build on that material nearly impossible.
2. Cheating also prevents the development of vital soft skills like critical thinking and resilience, which are forged only by overcoming genuine academic challenges.
3. It erodes the value of a degree for all graduates by damaging the institution’s reputation and harming the academic and professional prospects of the entire student body.
4. It normalizes dishonesty, fostering a habit that can extend into the workplace and compromise long-term personal and professional integrity.
5. It leads to psychological stress, including the constant anxiety of being caught, guilt, and imposter syndrome when faced with real-world tasks.

Part 4: What are The Consequences of Getting Caught Cheating on Proctored Exams?

The widespread use of online cheating tactics fundamentally undermines education’s purpose. When students find ways of cheating on online proctored exams, they inflict lasting damage on their learning and future prospects. This behavior has several critical impacts:

1. It creates significant gaps in foundational knowledge and skills, making success in advanced courses that build on that material nearly impossible.
2. Cheating also prevents the development of vital soft skills like critical thinking and resilience, which are forged only by overcoming genuine academic challenges.
3. It erodes the value of a degree for all graduates by damaging the institution’s reputation and harming the academic and professional prospects of the entire student body.
4. It normalizes dishonesty, fostering a habit that can extend into the workplace and compromise long-term personal and professional integrity.
5. It leads to psychological stress, including the constant anxiety of being caught, guilt, and imposter syndrome when faced with real-world tasks.

What to Do if You Get Caught Cheating on Proctored Online Tests or Falsely Accused of Academic Misconduct?

To maintain the integrity of online education, proctoring tools identify potential cheating, but automated flags can lead to false cheating allegations. If accused, how you respond is critical, regardless of whether the evidence from the exam may indicate a serious violation by getting caught or innocence. Address the situation methodically. Here are the essential next steps:

1. Calmly read the notice to understand the specific allegation and the evidence against you, which may include video clips or activity logs.
2. Immediately find your institution’s academic integrity policy to learn the official procedure, your rights, and the steps for an appeal.
3. Gather any evidence you have and write a clear, factual account. Provide context for flagged behaviors if you are innocent, or take responsibility if you made a mistake.
4. Contact your academic advisor or the student ombudsman office. They offer impartial guidance to help you navigate the process.
5. Submit a written response and attend any hearings. A calm, cooperative approach focused on facts is always more effective.

Part 5: Tips for First-Time Taking a Proctored Exam

Taking your first proctored exam can be nerve-wracking, but solid preparation makes all the difference. Follow these tips for a smooth experience:

1. Test Your Tech Early: Run the required system check at least two days before the exam. This gives you plenty of time to fix any camera, mic, or software issues without the stress of a deadline.
2. Prepare Your Space a Day Ahead: Choose a quiet room and clear your desk of everything not permitted (phones, notes, smartwatches). Ensure your face is well-lit for the webcam and tell others not to interrupt.
3. Have Your ID Ready: Before you begin, have your government-issued photo ID and any permitted materials (like a calculator or scratch paper) on your desk, ready to be presented.
4. If Tech Fails, Don’t Panic: If your internet or software freezes, use the proctor’s support chat for help immediately. Then, send a quick email to your instructor to inform them of the issue.

How to Manage Proctored Exams & Anxiety?

The feeling of being watched can turn normal test stress into intense anxiety. Here’s how to manage it in the moment:

1. Reframe the Narrative: Instead of feeling like a suspect, remind yourself: “This process protects the value of my honest work.”
2. Acknowledge the Feeling: When anxiety rises, calmly think, “This is a normal response.” Acknowledging the feeling prevents you from panicking about the panic itself.
3. Use Tactical Breathing: To instantly slow your heart rate, take a deep breath, add a second short inhale, then exhale as slowly as possible. Repeat once or twice.
4. Shrink Your Focus: Concentrate only on the single question in front of you. Intentionally ignore the timer and camera. This leaves no room for anxiety to build.