Are candidates likely to cheat on online pre-employment tests? Is it necessary to look for cheating prevention measures in online tests? Yes! There is the risk of cheating in online tests.
Donald Cressey, an American criminologist, devised the Fraud Triangle theory in 1973, which consists of three elements: pressure to cheat, opportunity to cheat, and rationalization. Cheating could be encouraged in a high-stakes setting containing these elements and the absence of proctoring.
As candidates devise new techniques to cheat on online tests, it's past time to include online tests cheating prevention features to thwart the most devious cheating attempts. Prevent cheating in online assessments by choosing the best online remote proctoring tool.
Let's take a look at some of the most popular ways applicants cheat in online tests:
Cheating by proxy-tester:
Asking a buddy or paying a brainiac to take the test on your behalf is the first type of cheating. In fact, there appears to be a small economy established around it, according to a number of available online sites.
While it may appear harmless to log in as someone else to assist them, especially in this day of digital testing, but, this invalidates the test findings. As a result, testing candidates is no longer is useful.
Using external help:
Candidates frequently assemble a group of friends to take a test with them or request assistance wherever available. Several individuals debate the best option, and the candidate then chooses the best answer.
Using several windows or sharing your computer's screen:
During online exams, candidates have the option of using several windows to access exam questions and conduct a simultaneous web search for answers. Candidates have also been known to cheat on tests by sharing their screens.
Disconnecting Internet Connection
Many test-takers purposefully cut their internet connection in the middle of a test so that they can repeat it after seeing some of the questions. They then start over to ensure that they have correctly answered all of the questions.
Technical tinkering
It is easier for candidates to tamper with the assessment's timings, record the assessment questions, or request fresh login credentials after seeing the test questions while delivering tests from remote places.
How To Use Technology To Prevent Cheating In Online Assessments?
As technology advances, more efficient solutions for safeguarding the integrity of online remotely administered assessments are developed. Consider the following technological online test cheating prevention options:
Ask for information that you can verify
You can actually ask candidates to provide information that you can verify from their records like e-mail address, address, or telephone numbers.
Identity Verification
Online ID authentication can assist prevent cheating by discouraging imposters from taking the test on the candidate's behalf. Fortunately, anti-cheating software providers have developed multi-level online authentication solutions that compare the candidate's face to the candidate's submitted ID to assure legitimacy.
Prepare random questions
Applicants who take online examinations are frequently asked the same questions in the same order, making it easier for them to cheat.
However, technology has remedied this problem by allowing companies to ask questions in random order. As a result, candidates can no longer take an employer's test and then share a "master solution."
Recruiters can employ tests with questions produced at random from vast "test banks." These kinds of online tests are also adaptive, in the sense that they respond to the candidate's choices. As a result, candidates are unlikely to repeat the same test.
Disable Copy-Paste Option
Disabling the copy-paste feature is one strategy that employers might use to prevent cheating in online examinations. Candidates will be unable to copy and paste data during the test as a result of this restriction.
It's also possible that test participants may try to snap a screenshot of the website, which is where this functionality can help.
Add a time limit to questions
During the online assessment, most especially during video screening, you can add a time limit to answering questions. If the questions are added with the time limit, then applicants have little time to explore for answers or debate them with others.
Use multi-step hiring process
Even if candidates pass a screening evaluation, a multi-step selection process can keep them from getting hired into your company. If you take the chance to validate some of the candidate's responses from their application or assessment, a structured interview can find some topics that the evaluation missed.
Apart from this, one of the easiest ways is to assess candidates through the right skill assessment platform like iMocha. As iMocha's remote proctoring feature helps to prevent cheating in online assessment. Some of iMocha's cheating prevention techniques that facilitate a smooth test experience include:
Real-time Image Proctoring:
Real-time picture proctoring, which takes images of the candidate during the test, can be used to track a candidate's test progress.
Window lock with test termination:
With window violation, secure the virtual environment of the test platform. Candidates are not allowed to leave the test window.
Randomize Questions & Answers:
Every question is chosen at random from a question bank with hundreds of options.
Audio Proctoring:
During the test, keep an eye on the candidate's background voice activity. The technology listens to the audio and raises a red alert if any suspicious voice activity is detected.
Video Proctoring:
Video proctoring ensures that the candidate concentrates on the test and does not engage in unethical behavior.
IP Ranges:
During campus and mass hiring, this functionality is highly handy because test attempts are limited to a few pre-selected IPs, and authentication is ensured.
To know more, about how iMocha helps in cheating prevention during online tests, schedule a free demo today!
