English language testing technology has come on in leaps and bounds in recent years, with advancements in technology ensuring ever more reliable results. In this post, we’re exploring how a hybrid approach with strong anti-cheating measures are helping to reassure universities that they can trust a student’s score.
The importance of security in English language tests
Whether it’s an online or in-person test, security is vital to stopping the sometimes extraordinary lengths to which some candidates are prepared to go to secure a place at an overseas university. A secure and valid English language test helps you ensure you’re investing in someone whose language skills are up to the demands of a place on your course.
While in-person test centres are by no means immune from cheating, it’s natural to worry that online tests are particularly at risk thanks to the perceived lack of security measures and absence of human invigilation. However, online tests offer a number of advantages over those conducted in person, in particular that they’re cheaper and more accessible to students from poorer backgrounds and remote areas.
Hybrid tests offer the best of both worlds. They’re online tests that can be taken on a laptop anywhere, so they’re still affordable and accessible. The difference is that by incorporating a raft of hybrid security measures – including human invigilation and cheating checks – they offer universities the assurance that the test has been taken fairly and accurately.
Anti-cheating measures in English language testing
Let’s take a look at the robust anti-cheating measures you can take to ensure a secure and reliable assessment of a candidate’s English proficiency.
Human proctoring with fully trained examiners
The hybrid approach can be taken throughout the test with human invigilation and written test marking, but it comes to the fore in the speaking part, when the candidate is connected with a fully trained, fully qualified examiner via a video link. During this final section of the test, the examiner can use an in-depth Q&A session to analyse and compare how the candidate has performed in the previous three sections with their spoken English, as well as reconfirming their ID.
ID verification and unique number
When the candidate first signs up for the test, you can ask them to upload a photo of themselves with their passport. This gives the examiner an image they can compare with the live version to verify their identity throughout their test, minimising the risk of impersonation. On passing security and ID checks, the student can be given a unique ID number that allows both student and university to monitor their progress and performance.
AI proctoring and anti-fraud system
Before the online test begins, the candidate can be asked to scan their room to show the examiner they’re alone and taking the test in the right conditions. Once the test gets underway, an AI proctoring and anti-fraud system can scan the candidate’s actions, automatically flagging potential inappropriate behaviour with a warning and timestamp that can then be assessed by the examiner.
Systems like these identify telltale actions such as another person coming into the camera view, background noise that isn’t the candidate, attempting to load another screen or the use of third-party applications. As well as monitoring the student’s screen activity throughout the test, they also take intermittent screenshots to confirm their identity against their photo ID.
If a breach of behaviour is confirmed, the candidate’s test and results can be cancelled immediately.
Test variation and plagiarism checks
Tests can randomly allocate materials from a variety of academic resources, meaning no two complete tests are the same. This makes it difficult for someone to pass information on to another candidate. What’s more, plagiarism detection mechanisms rigorously scan and assess written responses to ensure they’re authentic and original.
Verified results
Finally, the candidate’s results can be checked over by another examiner or member of academic staff before they’re released, giving both student and university the peace of mind that the score is accurate and that the student’s ID matches images captured before and during the test.
Scored using AI and other advanced testing technology, our online English proficiency test, the Oxford English Language Level Test (Oxford ELLT), is a secure English language test that can be taken on a laptop anywhere, so it’s still affordable and accessible. But with its unique combination of advanced AI technology and human invigilation, it delivers unbeatable accuracy and integrity in assessing students’ reading, listening, writing and speaking skills. If you’d like to explore this reliable and trustworthy English proficiency testing solution, get in touch to find out more.
