Enable and Use Testlify's Proctoring Features

Testlify provides a comprehensive suite of proctoring tools to keep your assessments secure and fair. This guide covers all 12 proctoring features — how to enable each one and how to review the resulting logs.

Before you begin

  • You must have Admin or Assessment Manager access in your Testlify workspace.
  • Proctoring settings are configured per assessment. Open the target assessment, click Edit, and go to the Proctoring tab to access all options below.
  • Advanced add-ons (Image Identification, Photo ID Verification) have per-attempt charges. Confirm billing details before enabling them.

1. Full Screen Mode

Standard Full Screen Mode launches the assessment in full screen but allows candidates to exit without penalty — useful when you prefer not to impose strict restrictions.

Force Full Screen Mode locks candidates to full screen and flags or terminates the session when they exit.

How to enable Full Screen Mode

  1. Log in to your Testlify workspace and open the assessment.
  2. Click Edit and go to the Proctoring tab.
  3. Toggle Full Screen Mode on. To enforce it strictly, enable Force Full Screen Mode.
  4. Set a violation limit — the assessment terminates automatically when a candidate exceeds this number of exits.
  5. Click Save.

How it works

  • Candidates are notified before the assessment that full screen is required.
  • Exiting full screen triggers an on-screen prompt to return.
  • Each exit is counted as a violation. Reaching the limit terminates the assessment.

How to view violation logs

  1. Open the Candidate Report page.
  2. Scroll to the Proctoring section and click View Logs under Full Screen Violations.

2. Tab Proctoring

Tab Proctoring detects and logs every time a candidate switches away from the assessment tab.

How to enable Tab Proctoring

  1. Open the assessment, click Edit, and go to the Proctoring tab.
  2. Enable Tab Proctoring.
  3. Set violation limits to trigger warnings or auto-termination.
  4. Click Save. All tab switches are logged for review.

3. Snapshot Proctoring

Snapshot Proctoring captures periodic photos of the candidate via their webcam throughout the assessment.

How to enable Snapshot Proctoring

  1. Open the assessment, click Edit, and go to the Proctoring tab.
  2. Enable Snapshot Proctoring.
  3. Adjust the snapshot interval as needed (default: every 120 seconds).
  4. Click Save.

How to review snapshots

Go to the Candidate Display page to view all captured snapshots in the Proctoring section.

4. Copy-Paste Tracking

Copy-Paste Tracking detects when candidates copy or paste text during coding questions, preventing the use of external sources.

How to enable Copy-Paste Tracking

  1. Open the assessment, click Edit, and go to the Proctoring tab.
  2. Check the box next to Copy-Paste Tracking.
  3. Set a violation limit and optionally enable auto-termination when the limit is exceeded.
  4. Click Save.

How to review copy-paste activity

  1. Go to the Candidate Display page.
  2. Scroll to the Trust Insights section to see a record of any copy-paste events.

5. Mouse Out Tracking

Mouse Out Tracking flags instances where the candidate's mouse cursor leaves the assessment window, indicating possible distraction or external assistance.

How to enable Mouse Out Tracking

  1. Log in and open the assessment.
  2. Click Edit and go to the Proctoring tab.
  3. Enable Mouse Out Tracking and set a tolerance limit (in seconds) before a violation is recorded.
  4. Click Save.

How to view Mouse Out logs

  1. Open the candidate's result page.
  2. Scroll to the Proctoring section and click View Logs under Mouse Out Violations.

6. Location Tracking

Location Tracking records a candidate's geographic location during the assessment to confirm they are in an approved region.

How to enable Location Tracking

  1. Open the assessment, click Edit, and go to the Proctoring tab.
  2. Check the box next to Location Tracking.
  3. Click Save.

Note: If a candidate uses a VPN, the location report will show the VPN server's location — not their actual location.

7. Question-Level Activity Logs

Question-Level Activity Logs show how long a candidate spent on each question and flag suspicious behavior such as extended inactivity or tab switches mid-question.

How to enable Question-Level Activity Logs

  1. Open the assessment, click Edit, and go to the Proctoring tab.
  2. Check or uncheck Question-Level Activity Logs to enable or disable the feature.
  3. Click Save.

How to view Question-Level Activity Logs

  1. Open the assessment and go to Candidate Results.
  2. Scroll to the Proctoring section and click View Logs to access per-question activity data.

Advanced Proctoring Add-ons

8. Image Identification Add-on

The Image Identification add-on ($5 per attempt) continuously monitors the candidate's face via webcam to verify identity and detect impersonation.

How it works

  • Snapshot Capture: The system photographs the candidate at the start of the assessment and at regular intervals.
  • Face Detection: The system flags instances where no face is detected, a different face appears, or multiple faces are visible.
  • Violation Handling: Flagged events accumulate. Reaching the violation limit automatically terminates the assessment.

Why use it

  • Prevents impersonation by confirming the test-taker is the registered candidate.
  • Maintains fairness by detecting unauthorized behavior in real time.
  • Enhances credibility of results for your recruitment process.

For setup instructions, see How to Enable Identity Verification & Image Analysis.

9. Screen Sharing Proctoring

Screen Sharing Proctoring requires candidates to share their full desktop screen, giving you a complete view of their activity during the test.

Benefits

  • Enhanced security: Spot unauthorized resources or applications open on the candidate's screen.
  • Full transparency: A complete desktop view confirms authentic work.
  • Reviewable recordings: Screen-share videos are saved to the candidate's report for post-assessment review.

How to enable Screen Sharing Proctoring

  1. Log in and open the desired assessment.
  2. Go to Assessment Settings and click the Proctoring tab.
  3. Select Make screen sharing mandatory and click Save.

Candidate screen-sharing flow

  1. Before the assessment starts, the candidate is prompted to share their screen.
  2. They click Start Sharing.
  3. They select Entire Screen and enable system audio sharing.
  4. A notification confirms that sharing is active. If sharing stops, candidates are prompted to resume.
  5. After the assessment, screen-sharing recordings appear in the candidate's report.

10. Talking Prohibition

Talking Prohibition uses the candidate's microphone to detect verbal communication during the assessment.

How it works

  • When the system detects voice activity, it shows the candidate a toast notification: "Talking is not allowed."
  • Each detected instance is logged under the Proctoring category with a timestamp and the message "Voice intervention detected."

Where it appears

  • Candidate Portal — Instructions Page: A "No talking" card is displayed before the assessment begins.

  • Candidate Portal — Question Page: Toast notification appears when talking is detected.

  • Employer Portal — Assessment Settings > Proctoring: Toggle to enable or disable Talking Prohibition.

  • Candidate Display Page (CDP) — Log: All flagged instances are recorded with timestamps.

Key benefits

  • Prevents candidates from receiving answers verbally from another person.
  • Detects noise from nearby electronic devices, not just human speech.
  • Provides employers with a timestamped log of every voice intervention.

11. Photo ID Verification

Photo ID Verification requires candidates to photograph and upload a valid government-issued ID before starting the test ($0.50 per attempt).

How to enable

  1. Open the assessment and go to Settings > Proctoring.
  2. Enable Photo ID Verification.
  3. Click Save.

Candidate experience

After the Face Detection step, candidates are prompted to photograph and upload their ID before proceeding.

Reviewing uploaded IDs

Uploaded IDs are stored and viewable under the Proctoring tab on the Candidate Display page.

12. Live Environment Check

Live Environment Check uses a candidate's mobile device as a second camera to capture a side or over-the-shoulder view of their physical environment while they take the test on a desktop.

How to enable

  1. Open the assessment and go to Assessment Settings > Proctoring > Custom.
  2. Enable Live Environment Check alongside Snapshot Proctoring.
  3. Click Save.

Candidate experience

  • Before the assessment, candidates are prompted to connect a mobile device as the second camera.
  • The mobile device records a continuous side view until the assessment ends.
  • Important: If the candidate disconnects the mobile device early, the event is reported to the test administrator.

Tip: Combine Live Environment Check with Snapshot Proctoring for maximum coverage — snapshots from the webcam plus a wide-angle view from the mobile device.

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