Proctorio records your screen, webcam, microphone, and keyboard activity during the entire exam

Proctorio is proctoring software that monitors test-takers during online exams. It captures everything on your screen, records video and audio from your device, logs every keystroke and mouse movement, and tracks which windows and tabs you open. The recording starts when you begin the exam and continues until you submit your answers. Your instructor receives the recording and can review it later to check for suspicious behavior.

The software is designed to prevent cheating by creating a record of your testing environment and activity. Unlike a human proctor in a physical room, Proctorio runs continuously in the background and captures data that can be reviewed multiple times. This means your exam session is documented in detail — not just whether you looked away from the screen, but exactly when, for how long, and what was visible on your monitor at that moment.

Key Takeaways

  • Proctorio records your screen display, webcam feed, microphone audio, and all keyboard and mouse input throughout the entire exam session.
  • The software logs which applications and browser tabs are open, so switching to another program or opening a new tab creates a record your instructor can see.
  • Your instructor can review the recording after the exam is complete, pause it, rewind it, and watch specific moments in detail.
  • Proctorio also uses automated detection to flag suspicious patterns like rapid mouse movements, multiple faces in the webcam, or sound spikes, which may trigger a manual review.

What gets recorded and stored

Proctorio creates a video file that combines your screen recording with the webcam feed. This means your instructor can see both what you were looking at on your computer and what was happening in your physical testing space at the same time. The audio from your microphone is also part of this recording, so any sounds — typing, background noise, someone speaking to you — are captured.

In addition to the video and audio, Proctorio logs metadata about your activity: every key you press, every mouse click, every time you switch windows or tabs, and timestamps for all of it. This data is stored on Proctorio's servers and linked to your exam. Your school or university has access to this information, and your instructor can request a detailed activity report that shows exactly what you did at each moment during the test.

The recording is not deleted automatically. Schools typically retain exam recordings for the length of the course or semester, and some keep them longer for record-keeping purposes. You should assume the recording exists indefinitely unless your institution has a specific data retention policy that says otherwise.

What Proctorio does not record

Proctorio does not record your screen before you open the exam or after you close it. Once you exit the testing window, the recording stops. This means what you do on your computer before logging in — or after you submit your exam — is not captured by Proctorio itself.

However, your internet service provider, your school's network, or your device's operating system may log other activity. Proctorio is one tool among many that could be monitoring your device. If you are using a school-owned computer, the school may have additional monitoring software installed. If you are on a school network, the network administrator can see which websites you visit. Proctorio's recording is separate from these other forms of monitoring.

How automated detection flags suspicious activity

Proctorio does not just record passively. The software includes automated detection that watches for patterns during your exam. If you move your mouse very quickly across the screen multiple times, if a second face appears in the webcam, if there is a sudden loud noise, or if you switch to a different process, Proctorio flags these events. These flags do not automatically fail you — they create a record that your instructor can review.

The automated system is not perfect. It can flag legitimate behavior: a pet walking past your desk, someone knocking on your door, you reaching for a glass of water. Your instructor sees both the flag and the video, so they can decide whether the flagged moment actually indicates cheating or was a false alarm. Some instructors review every flag; others only look at flags if they suspect a problem.

What your instructor can see in the review

Your instructor can watch the entire exam recording from start to finish, or jump to specific moments. They can see your screen, your face, and hear your audio. They can also pull up the activity log, which shows a timeline of every action you took — when you opened each question, how long you spent on each one, when you switched tabs, when you paused, and when you submitted.

If your instructor suspects cheating, they can use this information to build a case. They might notice that you looked away from the screen for long periods, that you opened a search engine tab, that someone else's voice is audible in the background, or that your answers match another student's answers exactly. The recording gives them evidence to support an academic integrity investigation.

Your instructor cannot see your internet history, your email, or anything outside the Proctorio recording. They cannot see what is on your phone or a second monitor unless it is visible in the webcam feed. They cannot hear conversations happening outside your microphone's range. The recording is limited to what Proctorio captures.

Privacy and data storage concerns

Proctorio stores your recording and activity data on its servers. Your school has a contract with Proctorio that specifies how long the data is kept and who can access it. In most cases, only your instructor and your school's testing administrator can view your exam recording. Proctorio employees may access the data for technical support or to investigate a complaint, but they are bound by the contract and privacy policies.

Some students and privacy advocates have raised concerns about the scope of Proctorio's monitoring. The software requires access to your camera, microphone, and keyboard, and it can see everything on your screen. If you are uncomfortable with this level of monitoring, you should talk to your instructor or your school's testing office about whether alternative testing arrangements are available — such as taking the exam at a testing center with a human proctor instead.

How to know what Proctorio recorded

After your exam is complete, you can usually request to see your own recording. Many schools allow students to view their exam recordings through the Proctorio interface or through your school's learning management system. You can watch what was recorded and verify that the recording is accurate. This is also a way to check whether any automated flags were triggered and what they flagged.

If you believe something was recorded incorrectly — for example, if the webcam was not working properly, or if the recording was corrupted — you should contact your school's testing office right away. They can investigate and may be able to provide a retake or an alternative testing method if there was a technical problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Proctorio see my second monitor or my phone?

Proctorio can only see what is on the monitor connected to the computer running the exam. If you have a second monitor, Proctorio does not record it unless you move the exam window to that monitor. Your phone is not visible to Proctorio unless you hold it up in front of the webcam. However, your instructor may notice suspicious behavior — like you looking down repeatedly — that suggests you are using another device.

Does Proctorio keep recording after I submit the exam?

No. Proctorio stops recording as soon as you submit your exam and close the testing window. Anything you do on your computer after that point is not captured by Proctorio. However, your school's network or your device's operating system may continue logging activity.

Can I request that my recording be deleted?

That depends on your school's data retention policy. Some schools delete exam recordings after a certain period — for example, at the end of the semester or after one year. Others keep them indefinitely. Contact your school's testing office or registrar to find out their policy and whether you can request deletion.

What happens if Proctorio detects suspicious activity?

A flag does not automatically result in consequences. Your instructor reviews the flagged moment and the surrounding video to decide whether it indicates cheating. If your instructor suspects academic dishonesty, they may open an investigation, which could lead to a conversation with you, a grade penalty, or a report to your school's academic integrity office. You have the right to explain your side of what happened.

Does Proctorio record if my camera or microphone is not working?

Proctorio will attempt to record video and audio, but if your camera or microphone is not functioning, it will record a blank video feed or silence. Your instructor will see that the camera or microphone was not available during the exam. Some schools require all devices to be working before you can start the exam; others allow you to proceed and note the technical issue.