What is Online Examination Software? 

Online examination software is a tool used to assess the capabilities of students or candidates for hiring in a remote setting. Unlike the offline method, the online examination does not require the examinees to be present at a common venue. The assessment examination is conducted using an online medium such as a laptop or mobile phone and the internet, where the candidates can log in to the exam portal. 

Why Do We Need It?

Online exam software is a highly advanced technical tool that significantly improves the efficiency of examinations by simplifying the process. In an offline examination mode, several aspects must be taken care of. For example, defining exam instructions and time, types of questions to be included, assigning invigilators, and providing all the necessary stationary supplements for conducting the examination.

All these time-consuming tasks are easily eliminated with an online examination tool, making the process highly manageable, consistent, and standardized. Institutions can acquire a user-friendly comprehensive online examination system so that users can conduct, monitor, and track assessments remotely and seamlessly.

So why do business organizations prefer online examination software for hiring over offline mode? 

Challenges that Weigh Down Offline Examination

Offline mode of examination has been the common way of assessment since ancient times. However, as time and needs change, assessment methods have to adapt and upgrade to meet those changes. Due to this lack of change over the years, conventional assessments have had a share of limitations. Here are some of the major pitfalls in an offline examination. 

Offline Mode	Online Mode
Investments in Infrastructure and Logistics
Offline mode exams have to be connected in a common space such as a classroom, or a gallery.  In this examination mode, all the candidates can be gathered together, invigilation has to be arranged.  Facilitates question papers, answer sheets, stationery items, and transportation has to be considered.	Online examinations can be conducted anywhere using online examination software. The candidates will not have to arrange transportation to reach the venue.  Companies or educational institutions do not have to provide an exam center to accommodate all the candidates.
Logistical Challenges
The company or educational institution has to ensure that question papers or skill tests are transported smoothly.  There is a risk of questions leaking before the assessments begin.  Moreover, damage to the prerequisite items can also cause a lot of trouble when conducting exams offline.	The online examination does not involve any transportation needs.  The exams can be taken through devices like laptops, desktops, and even mobile phones in a preferred setting of the candidates.
Issues Related to Identity Verification
In an offline setup, verifications must be done manually by the invigilators in educational institutions. In the case of hiring, the candidates have to be present with their resumes. This is a key challenge due to the chances of impersonation.	Using online examination software makes the candidate verification process more simple.  Using live proctor features, the invigilator can verify the candidate as well as the exam environment where the candidate is present while taking the test. The invigilator will also be able to view the test screen of the candidates while taking the test.
Non-Eco-friendly
Offline exam setup is non-eco-friendly.  It involves the usage of multiple resources. For example, paper consumption is relatively high in mass hiring or testing.	Online examinations do not use a lot of resources, especially papers.  Every step of the process can be carried out effortlessly with online examination software.

5 Benefits of Using Online Examination Software

• The online exam platform comes with a set of cheating-free features and tools. 
• Recruiters and examiners acquire a streamlined process with end-to-end exam management.
• Multiple and different forms such as skills assessment tests, behavioral assessments, etc. can be conducted on one platform.
• Supports different types and formats of questions such as multiple-choice and descriptive questions. 
• Highly compliant with policies and regulations and the platform is data encrypted with data security standards. 

Evaluation Criteria for Online Examination Software 

• User reviews and ratings
• Essential features, functionality, and tools
• Ease of use
• Customer support
• Value for money
• Experts opinion

Top 10 Online Examination Software in 2024

1. Skillrobo

Skillrobo is an AI-based online examination software that offers a wide range of skills and behavioral assessment tests. The platform makes it easy for recruiters to find the right candidates for the roles by leveraging the robust skills and test libraries available in the platform. The tool also lets the users create tests from scratch and add the essential skills from the Skill Library. The Test Library on the platform has pre-existing test templates that are fully customizable. The templates cover 100+ roles from multiple industries, making Skillrobo an all-in-one platform. 

Notable features – 

• Engaging and Interactive – All the questions generated are engaging and interactive where the candidates have the full scope to prove their abilities and skills.

• Enterprise Integration – The platform facilitates integration with external applications such as the HR evaluation system to evaluate candidate performance.

• Live Proctoring – The tool offers provision to proctor a live exam. The tool also lets the invigilator view every candidate’s test screen.

• ARIV – ARIV is an AI-based question generator using which questions can be generated from across the internet based on the role. 

• Analytics and Reports – The tool offers an in-depth analysis and evaluation of every candidate. 

How to Create an Online Exam on Skillrobo?

Step 1 – Enterprise Integration – – Log in to your account on the platform.

Step 2 – To generate a new test from scratch, click on My Tests and then click on Create Test.

Step 3 – Add the skills required for the role or the subject from the Skills Library

Step 4 – Edit all the necessary instructions to be sent to the candidates.

Step 5 – Enter a title for the test and fill in the rest of the required information

Step 6 – Add the required skills from the Skills Library

Step 7 – Invite candidates by adding their email IDs. 

2. Testinvite

Testinvite is a comprehensive platform that is built for multi-level examinations. On this platform, the candidates will move from one exam to the next one. This layering of different tests can be set by the test initiator. The candidate who clears one level moves to the next based on specific criteria set by the test initiator. Examinations and talent assessments conducted through this platform can be live-proctored, where the candidates will be asked to switch their webcam on. The platform is GDPR-compliant and offers a robust data security system. 

Notable features – 

• Test initiators can design different levels/stages of the examination that require completely different prerequisites.
• The platform offers a rubric setup that can be used to set the qualification criteria. 
• The tool provides a question bank where the created questions can be stored for future use. 
• The platform supports Google’s cloud architecture to conduct multiple online exams simultaneously. 

Pricing – 

• Starts at $3.50 per month (billed annually)

3. Exam Professor

Exam Professor is an online exam platform that is best suitable for small businesses. The platform is user-friendly, affordable, and robust enabling easy navigation in setting up and conducting online examinations. In case of a single role hiring, or educational assessments, Exam Professor can be effectively implemented. The platform offers a striking set of features enabling a seamless and engaging experience for the candidates. The tool is notable for its email notifications and candidate self-registration. 

Notable features – 

• The platform is simple, user-friendly, and offers seamless question editing. 
• An advantage of using this platform is its affordable pricing plan.
• The platform is equipped with anti-cheating features such as question shuffling, question pooling, etc. 
• The tool provides the test initiators with in-depth reports and statistics on the performance of the candidates. 

Pricing –

• Starts from $12 per month

4. Think Exam

Think Exam is an online examination software that is popular for its AI-based proctoring. This feature makes the hiring process more reliable and bias-free. The test initiator can easily identify any case of cheating by verifying the candidate details, browser activity, and screen activity using the live proctoring feature. The users can switch between live, recorded, or even AI-based proctoring depending on the needs of the examination and its physical setup. On this tool, users can easily create questions for the test, and export the performance data with the completion of the examination.

Notable features – 

• As an AI-based platform, Think Exam offers multiple solutions for proctoring the examination. 
• The tool is equipped with advanced analytics and a reporting system that enables the hiring or assessing team to make sound decisions. 
• The platform supports the customization of tests and white labeling, offering a personalized approach to the candidates. 
• A unique feature is that users can sell the generated tests and monetize from them.

Pricing –

• Starts at $36.81 per month

5. QuestBase

QuestBase is solely a recruitment software, where management can effectively hire the right employees for the organization. The tool is best suitable for the Human Resources department, where the HR managers, educators, and trainers can effectively leverage this platform. The test initiators can create and generate the assessments based on the role. Detailed reports on the performance of the candidates can be generated, making decision-making simpler and more accurate. Integration is a strong feature of the tool. It allows the users to integrate with external solutions such as HRM, CRM, emails, etc. 

Notable features –

• The tool provides in-depth and real-time reports with graphical and visual performance analysis which is easily understandable. 
• The tool supports white labeling where the organization can add its business logo to the test window. 
• The test window on the platform enables organizers to have the highest security by preventing the candidates from accessing answers online.
• Using this platform, the questions can be exported to external files. 

Pricing –

• Starts at €109.95 per year

6. ExamSoft

ExamSoft is an online exam platform that is best suitable for formative exams. The tool is designed to provide credible online assessment tests that help in gaining relevant information about the candidates. This also helps in improving the training methods for them once they join as an employee. Using this examination software, a comprehensive assessment environment can be created where all the assessment data can be collected and evaluated. The tool offers strict candidate verification that helps maintain the integrity of the assessment. 

Notable features –

• The platform offers ready-to-use data that can be used to create assessments and improve candidate assessment experience. 
• The tool is equipped with live and AI-based proctoring, and provisions for identity verification setting, ensuring the test is completed with complete integrity. 
• The tool can be used for category-based reporting. This will help the candidate with the right feedback.
• The platform allows users to import questions in bulk, aiding in assessment creation. 

Pricing – 

• Starts at $60 per year

7. ClassMaker

ClassMaker is an online test software that is best suitable for educational examinations as well as business purposes. The tool is widely used by enterprise-level organizations, for pre-employment assessment tests and recruitment. With the comprehensive set of features that the platform offers, users can create tests with high security, privacy, and value. The anti-cheating features and settings allow the organization to maintain the integrity of the tests. An additional advantage is that the platform lets you choose the language you want to conduct the tests. By creating learner groups candidates can be clubbed together with similar tests. 

Notable features – 

• The tool offers advanced settings such as setting time limits, private test access, and randomized questions. 
• The platform lets you group candidates to streamline tests and save time significantly. 
• The platform lets its users create a database that consists of all the questions and classify them based on category. 
• Exams can be conducted in multiple languages. 

Pricing – 

• Starts at $39.95 per month for business
• $0 for education 

8. ExamOnline

ExamOnline is a comprehensive hiring and online exam system that is known for its live proctoring feature. Online assessments can be easily created and manage all the applicants with ease. The proctoring comes with clear and high-quality audio and video in both live and recorded formats. This particular online exam test software offers a robust reporting system that facilitates strong decision-making. The tool provides a scoreboard, computational analysis, and in-depth results. ExamOnline is also a certificate-offering platform, where pre-designed templates can be customized and used for certificate assessments.

Notable features – 

• The tool offers one of the best features for live proctoring and cheating prevention. 
• The dashboard is intuitive and user-friendly, enabling effective management of all the candidates. 
• The email notification system connects every candidate and updates them effectively.
• The users can generate questions and upload them to the assessment in bulk. This helps in saving a lot of time. 

Pricing – 

• The tool offers custom pricing. 

9. SpeedExam 

SpeedExam is an examination software designed to create and conduct tests faster and more efficiently. The software helps conduct mass candidate assessments that aid the hiring process in large enterprises. The tool is equipped with AI-based proctoring and real-time data-taker features. The collected data include the browser details, device name, location, IP address, number of attempts, etc. Using this platform, the test initiators can ask set questions in 10 different ways to make it more engaging to the candidates. Any suspicious behavior will be flagged immediately to prevent the questions from being leaked.

Notable features – 

• The platform lets the users conduct simultaneous exams, saving time. 
• The platform offers robust AI-based cheating prevention features to maximize the efficiency of the hiring process.
• The reporting system helps you download or export performance reports using simple steps. 
• The reports generated offer an in-depth evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of each candidate. 

Pricing – 

• Starts at $20 per month (billed annually)

10. Conduct Exam 

Conduct Exam is an online test platform that empowers organizations to conduct online and offline assessments on the same platform effectively. The platform offers one of the fastest and most reliable tools for conducting hiring assessments. The tool with its extensive feature set with simple functionalities makes the user experience top-notch. Moreover, the tool is available through the mobile application which comes in handy while exporting and importing questionnaires or performance reports. Users of this tool create question banks that can be used across different assessment tests. 

Notable features – 

• The tool offers a flexible regime where exams can be conducted online and offline (without internet connection)
• The platform supports formats such as audio and video, enabling the test initiators to create engaging tests. 
• On this software, the user can randomize the questions. It also offers features such as Excel upload, screen proctoring, etc. 
• Test initiators can also multimedia files such as videos and images for the assessments. 

Pricing –

• Available at $1000 per year. 

Online vs. Offline – A Quick Comparison  

In today’s technology-induced business world, several industries and processes benefit from the online setup of consulting examinations. It has also freed institutions and business organizations from the shackles of an everlasting manual assessment process. This change in efficiency and preference has led to many debates on knowing which is a better choice. Let us take a deeper look at some parameters. 

Parameters	Online Mode	Offline Mode
Feasibility	The online mode is highly feasible by using online exam software. It is highly cost-effective.	The offline mode involves several factors that have to be arranged and is not cost-effective.
Cheating	Using online examination software, cheating, and other fraudulent activities.	Cheating can be prevented through strict physical invigilators.
Live Proctor	One invigilator can proctor on live a mass assessment test	Requires multiple invigilators to
Operational Setup	Easy setup from candidates’ won device	Includes setting up of resources and transportation facilities
Time Taken	Login only for the exam, submit, and logout	Spend a longer time to reach the center and take the exam
Grading	Facilitates automatic grading	Requires manual grading

Conclusion 

The use of online examination software is a transformative leap from traditional methods of conducting examinations. From using laborious, cumbersome, and less feasible options of traditional modes, recruiters and educational examiners today prefer a strategic solution like Skilrobo that is convenient, efficient, and scalable.

The online test software is more adaptable to change and facilitates auto-testing, grading, and feedback. This significantly reduces manual labor. Skillrobo is an advanced platform with top-class features that enhance the online exam experience for both candidates as well as examiners/recruiters. Sign up for more details.