When it comes to high-stakes exams, two things matter most: trust and accessibility. Making exams secure and fair while also being inclusive for all learners, no matter their learning needs has been a challenge as testing has pivoted to digital over the last several years. Here’s how to do it!
Protecting exam integrity means ensuring online tests are trusted, making certain that learners can’t be dishonest or get distracted. Here are the benefits of ensuring integrity with Browser Lock:
In addition to browser lock, exam settings can offer question & answer randomization and the flexibility to prevent backwards navigation within the testing environment. Exams can also be password-protected, ensuring that learners can only access them when the instructor dictates. When combined, this functionality ensures that it is the most secure and trusted way to deliver exams to learners.
Accessibility needs to be a key focus when designing exam experiences, as every learner has unique requirements. To support this, accessibility features should be seamlessly integrated into the exam interface to provide benefits like:
All exam software should comply with the internationally recognized Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), including Section 508 standards in the United States. Trust providers engage a third-party firm for regular audits of their software, which are generally documented in a Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT).
Exams should be both secure and accessible for all learners. With features like browser lock and integration with the UserWay widget, institutions can make sure that every learner, no matter their device or ability, has the tools to perform their best during high-stakes exams.
By making security and accessibility a priority, institutions can ensure that your exams are not only protected from cheating but also inclusive for learners with diverse needs.
At Echo360, we developed EchoExam to meet these needs of integrity and accessibility for administrators, instructors, and learners. EchoExam includes integrity benefits such as Browser Lock powered by Respondus available on the most popular devices like laptops, desktops, Chromebooks, and iPads in addition to accessibility features like the UserWay widget to ensure an open testing environment. Over the past 18 months, EchoExam has been fortified with more and more benefits culminating in the best summative exam solution for higher education and business.
