Most organizations have turned to unproctored online testing in lieu of proctored paper-and-pencil testing. Among its many advantages, online testing is often faster, more efficient, and more convenient than proctored paper-and-pencil methods. For example, online tests can be can be scored immediately and more easily distributed to geographically dispersed applicants.
One concern, however, is that unproctored online testing allows for cheating or faking. But is this a realistic concern? Is cheating really more prevalent in unproctored online settings?
THE RESEARCH STUDY
Researchers in this study (Arthur et al., 2010) recently explored this question using a speeded cognitive ability test and two different personality tests. Although the authors note that the speeded nature of the cognitive ability test may have curtailed cheating in and of itself, they found that the pattern of results was very similar to the pattern observed in proctored, paper-and-pencil contexts.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Ultimately, although cheating is known to occur, this study found that it is not necessarily more common in unproctored online testing situations. Still, it should be noted that cheating is very difficult to measure. In fact, as the researchers note, cheating was not measured directly in their study. Nevertheless, the results of this study suggest that cheating on online tests may not be as prevalent as initially feared.
Arthur, W., Glaze, R.M., Villado, A.J., & Taylor, J.E. (2010). The magnitude and extent of cheating and response distortion effects on unproctored internet-based tests of cognitive ability and personality. International Journal of Selection and Assessment, 18(1), 1-16.
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