COVID-19 drastically changed the process of test taking this year. Students had to take tests online instead of in person, and new virtual proctoring methods have been used by teachers to monitor these tests. As a high school student, I have seen various virtual proctoring methods for exams and quizzes. Most of the time, teachers simply require the student to have their camera on during zoom to show that they are the ones taking the test. Some teachers require the student to have the camera pointed at their hands to show that they are not using their hands to surf the web for answers. However, the procedure for this year’s AP Tests is different.
Collegeboard, the AP Test providers, require every student to download Lockdown Secure Browser in order to take the AP Exams. Lockdown Secure Browser is a special test-taking application which prevents the student from doing anything else on their computer. This means that while the secure browser is open, the student cannot surf the web, open any applications, or interact with their desktop. In other words, the student can only interact with the test on screen. In addition to this, the secure browser monitors every action that the student does. This means that the browser track’s the student’s cursor movement, keystrokes, and mouse clicks. There is also an option for the browser to use the computer’s microphone and camera to monitor the student which the teacher can enable.
In addition to the Lockdown Browser, schools have the option to choose whether or specific class’ AP exams will be taken by the students in person or not. My school has decided that every student will take their AP exams virtually, but if they had chosen in-person, the students would have to take the exams at specific times in the gym. Desks would be placed in the gym 6 feet apart in order to conform to social distancing rules.