A fair online test: what exam mode can and cannot do

What is recorded

• Switching to another tab or app, with the time spent away.
• The test window losing focus.
• Leaving full screen.
• Attempts to copy or paste.
• Optionally, the test is submitted automatically after a set total time away.

What cannot be detected

A notification or an accidental swipe also counts as leaving the page. Treat the record as a reason to talk to a student, not as proof.

• A second phone or another person in the room.
• A photo taken of the screen.
• Notes on paper.

Set the test so cheating does not pay

• Shuffle questions and options so neighbours see a different order.
• Set a whole-test time limit that fits a prepared student.
• Ask for working, a drawing or an explanation, not only a final answer.
• Show correct answers at the end or never, not after each question.
• Turn off looking back at earlier questions.

Steps

1. Press Go live and choose self-paced.
2. Tick Run this as an exam and choose the auto-submit limit.
3. Set the time limit.
4. Share the join code. Students read the rules screen and start.
5. During the test, the results grid shows who is away right now and how often each student has left.