How to Secure and Monitor Exams with ExamView Test PlayerEnsuring exam integrity is a top priority for instructors and institutions. ExamView Test Player (EVTP) is a tool used with the ExamView Assessment Suite that lets students take tests offline or online while preserving question formatting and scoring. This article covers practical steps and best practices to secure and monitor exams when using ExamView Test Player — from preparation and configuration to proctoring strategies and post-exam analysis.
What ExamView Test Player is and what it does
ExamView Test Player is an application that opens and delivers assessments created with ExamView. It supports multiple question types (multiple choice, true/false, short answer, essay, matching, etc.), enforces timing, and collects responses for later grading. Unlike browser-based LMS test modules, EVTP runs as a standalone program, which changes how you approach security and monitoring.
Key point: ExamView Test Player delivers exams locally and saves student responses for collection and grading.
Planning and preparation
- Choose the right delivery mode
- Offline delivery: Students run EVTP on their device; they save and submit result files after the exam. This is simple but requires robust identity verification and file-handling procedures.
- Networked/managed delivery: If your institution supports centralized distribution/collection (file servers, secure USBs, or LMS integration), leverage that to reduce manual handling.
- Know your version and compatibility
- Confirm all student devices use a consistent EVTP version to avoid technical issues.
- Test on different operating systems (Windows/macOS) and common hardware configurations.
- Create a secure exam package
- Use password protection and any built-in encryption options when exporting tests.
- Set a clear time limit inside the test file and disable any unnecessary navigation options to reduce cheating opportunities.
- Prepare student devices
- Require students to install EVTP beforehand and run a practice test to confirm functionality.
- Provide a checklist: disable background apps, ensure power, turn off notifications, and close other programs.
Configuring ExamView Test Player for security
- Password protection
- When exporting a test, set a password to open the test package. Share passwords securely (see distribution below).
- Use unique passwords per-class or per-exam where practical.
- Timing and navigation controls
- Set strict time limits in the exam file. EVTP can enforce timing so the test locks after time expires.
- Disable backtracking for sections where necessary to prevent answer changes after moving forward.
- Limit export and print options
- Disable printing or exporting results in the test settings if those options exist. Minimize students’ ability to duplicate questions.
- Randomization
- Use question and answer randomization when creating the exam to make each student’s test different.
- Create several equivalent versions of the exam and export them separately.
Distribution and identity verification
- Secure distribution methods
- Use your LMS or a secure file distribution system to send test packages and unique passwords just before the exam starts.
- Avoid public or widely shared links; use single-use or time-limited access if available.
- Identity verification
- Use ID checks before allowing access (institution login, proctor verification).
- For remote exams, require students to show a photo ID on camera and use a rule-based check-in (read a code, show surroundings).
- Time-window control
- Open the exam for a narrow window and close access immediately after the exam period to limit sharing.
Proctoring strategies
- In-person proctoring
- Standard classroom proctoring: seat spacing, clear desks, and physical ID checks.
- Use printed seating charts and rotation if multiple versions are in use.
- Live remote proctoring (video-based)
- Require continuous webcam and screen-sharing during the exam.
- Assign a proctor to monitor video feeds, watch for suspicious behavior, and record sessions when permitted by policy.
- Automated proctoring tools
- If compatible with your institution, combine EVTP delivery with an automated proctoring service that monitors screen, webcam, and microphone for anomalies.
- Be aware of privacy and consent requirements before deploying automated monitoring.
- Honor code + low-intrusion checks
- For lower-stakes exams, use an honor pledge plus randomized short verification questions or short oral confirmation at completion.
Handling submissions and preventing tampering
- Secure collection
- Instruct students to submit result files via the LMS or a secure upload portal.
- Use filename conventions that include student IDs and timestamps to prevent misattribution.
- Verify file integrity
- Use checksums (MD5/SHA-256) or built-in EVTP verification features to detect modified files.
- Compare submission timestamps against the allowed window.
- Backup and logging
- Keep a server-side log of submissions and store copies in a secure backup location.
- Record proctor notes and any incidents associated with a student’s submission.
Detection and investigation of academic dishonesty
- Analytics and comparison
- Export results into a gradebook or spreadsheet to run pattern analysis: identical answer patterns, improbable score jumps, or clustering around unusual wrong answers.
- Use similarity scoring and statistical outlier detection to flag suspicious submissions.
- Review proctoring recordings
- When video monitoring was used, review flagged segments. Note: follow institutional policy for retention and access.
- Follow-up interviews
- If academic dishonesty is suspected, conduct a structured interview with the student, presenting evidence and allowing explanation before adjudicating.
Post-exam grading and feedback
- Centralized grading
- Import ExamView result files into ExamView or your LMS gradebook to streamline scoring.
- For subjective responses, use rubrics and double-scoring to reduce bias.
- Provide meaningful feedback
- Share item-level feedback where appropriate, but delay releasing correct answers until all students have completed the exam window to reduce leak risk.
- Review and iterate
- After each exam, review incidents and technical issues, update procedures, and adjust test settings and proctoring methods.
Policy, privacy, and accessibility considerations
- Privacy and consent
- Inform students in advance about monitoring methods, recordings, and data retention policies; obtain consent where required.
- Limit access to recordings and submission logs to authorized staff.
- Accessibility
- Ensure EVTP exams are accessible: provide accommodations (extended time, screen-reader compatibility) and test those accommodations beforehand.
- Equity
- Maintain consistent policies so that proctoring and security measures do not disproportionately burden certain groups of students.
Common pitfalls and how to avoid them
- Last-minute version mismatches: publish clear installation instructions and require a practice run.
- Weak password handling: use unique/time-limited passwords and secure channels for distribution.
- Overreliance on a single proctoring method: combine several low-cost measures (randomization, timed windows, ID checks).
- Ignoring privacy rules: coordinate with institutional legal/IT teams before deploying recordings or scans.
Quick checklist before exam day
- Export test package with password, timing, and randomization enabled.
- Confirm EVTP version and student device compatibility.
- Distribute passwords securely and define submission procedure.
- Schedule proctors and confirm monitoring tools (camera, screen sharing).
- Run a mandatory practice test for all students.
- Prepare incident reporting and backup submission methods.
Conclusion
Securing and monitoring exams with ExamView Test Player requires a blend of technical configuration, careful distribution, robust proctoring, and post-exam analytics. Use password protection, timing controls, randomization, and secure submission channels as the foundation. Layer proctoring (in-person or remote) and analytics to detect anomalies, and ensure all practices follow privacy and accessibility policies. With planning and consistent procedures, EVTP can be used effectively to maintain assessment integrity while providing a reliable test-taking experience.
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