How to Enable Focus Guard (Anti-Cheat Proctoring)

What Is Focus Guard?

Focus Guard is a proctoring feature in Testlify that detects AI-assisted cheating tools and suspicious on-screen activity during an assessment. It monitors candidates' screens in real time and flags unusual behavior — helping you maintain test integrity without additional software.

Why Use Focus Guard?

AI tools like Cluely run silently in the background and surface instantly via shortcut keys, giving candidates real-time assistance during a test. Focus Guard counters this by:

• Detecting sudden pop-ups from AI or assistance tools
• Monitoring on-screen interactions for unusual activity
• Flagging behavior that indicates use of external help
• Maintaining test integrity without requiring extra software

Before you begin

• Confirm that Proctoring is available on your Testlify plan.
• Ensure you have edit access to the assessment you want to configure.

How to Enable Focus Guard

1. Go to Assessments.
2. Click the assessment you want to edit.
3. Navigate to Assessment Settings.
4. Open the Proctoring tab.
5. Scroll to Focus Guard (Anti-Cheat Mode).
6. Toggle the feature ON.

Once enabled, Testlify automatically tracks the candidate's screen activity throughout the test.

How It Works

When Focus Guard is active, Testlify will:

• Continuously monitor the candidate's screen
• Detect AI-triggered pop-ups or suspicious keyboard shortcuts
• Identify unexpected application launches
• Flag the candidate for review if any of these actions occur

Flags appear in the candidate's Proctoring Report for your review.

Best Practices

• Enable Focus Guard for all high-stakes assessments.
• Inform candidates in advance that their session is monitored.
• Combine Focus Guard with Full-Screen Mode, Tab Proctoring, and Snapshot Proctoring for maximum security.

Tip: Pair Focus Guard with Snapshot Proctoring to capture photographic evidence when a flag is triggered — making post-assessment review faster and more conclusive.

Need help? Contact support.