Proctorio's Clipboard Block: Why & How It Works | Exam Security Tips

07 May, 2025

Have you ever been abruptly blocked from copying and pasting during an online exam, leaving you puzzled and frustrated? This seemingly innocuous restriction is, in fact, a crucial element of Proctorio's sophisticated system designed to uphold academic integrity in the digital age.

The experience, common among students taking proctored exams, often begins with an attempt to transfer text or information, only to be met with a frustrating message: "Proctorio disabled clipboard." This restriction, while inconvenient, is a fundamental aspect of how Proctorio works, and it's designed to prevent cheating and maintain the fairness of online assessments. This article will delve into the specifics of this feature, explore the broader capabilities of Proctorio, and offer guidance on how to navigate these digital exam environments successfully.

Proctorio, a leading online proctoring software, is designed to monitor students during online exams, replicating the environment of a traditional, in-person test. It achieves this through a Chrome extension that integrates directly with Learning Management Systems (LMS) like Canvas. This integration allows instructors to easily incorporate proctoring into their courses. One of the core functionalities that sets Proctorio apart is its ability to disable certain computer features that could be used for academic dishonesty. The clipboard block is a prime example of this, preventing students from copying and pasting information from external sources during the exam. This measure directly addresses the risk of students importing answers or utilizing unauthorized resources to complete the assessment.

Here's a breakdown of how Proctorio works, and what it's designed to do:

Clipboard Control: Proctorio actively disables the clipboard, preventing copy/paste actions. This is crucial in stopping students from sharing, or receiving, answers during the exam.
Screen Monitoring: Proctorio records the screen, capturing all activity within the exam window. This provides a visual record of what the student is doing.
Browser Lockdown: It restricts the use of new tabs, and prevents access to other websites.
Audio and Video Recording: Proctorio uses the device's microphone and webcam to record audio and video, monitoring the student's environment and behavior.
Identity Verification: Proctorio may require students to verify their identity through various means, such as photo ID or facial recognition, to ensure the person taking the exam is the enrolled student.

But how can it be adjusted? For students with accessibility needs, or for instructors who wish to allow certain functionalities, Proctorio offers customization options within the exam settings. For example, instructors can modify the exam settings to permit clipboard access or other features. To make adjustments, the instructor needs to edit the exam settings within the LMS, and uncheck the disable clipboard option. It's important to note that these adjustments are determined entirely by the instructor's discretion.

The core concept behind Proctorio's feature set is to create a secure and reliable assessment environment. The software's ability to monitor the student's actions, and environment, is intended to reduce the likelihood of academic dishonesty, thereby ensuring that the grades reflect the student's actual knowledge.

Understanding the potential triggers of these alerts is important for both students and instructors. A variety of circumstances can trigger alerts within the Proctorio system. Here are some of the most common triggers:

Proctorio Disabled Clipboard: This occurs when a student attempts to copy and paste information during the exam.
Audio Levels: The system monitors audio levels, looking for any unusual background noise or conversation.
Multiple Faces: This alert is triggered if multiple faces are detected within the camera frame.
Screen Navigation: Attempts to navigate away from the exam page can also trigger an alert.
Use of Unauthorized Resources: This covers a wide range of actions, including accessing other websites, or using unauthorized software.

Proctorio also integrates with many learning management systems like Canvas, this seamless integration enhances the functionality without requiring students or instructors to leave the LMS. All actions taken with Proctorio are performed within Canvas, allowing for a streamlined experience.

For Students:

Ensure you are using Google Chrome: Proctorio functions as a Chrome extension, so it's crucial to use this browser.
Install the Proctorio Extension: Make sure the extension is installed and active within your Chrome browser before starting the exam.
Review Proctorio's Guidelines: Familiarize yourself with Proctorio's guidelines and the specific requirements of your exam.
Test Your Setup: Check that your webcam and microphone are working correctly, and that your internet connection is stable.

For Instructors:

Utilize the Proctorio Quick Start Guide: These guides help instructors quickly activate and implement Proctorio in their online courses.
Review Proctorio Settings: The instructor should carefully configure the exam settings, including which features to enable or disable.
Communicate Clearly: Inform students about Proctorio's presence, the specific exam settings, and what they can expect during the exam.
Provide Technical Support: Ensure that students have access to technical support and resources in case of any issues during the exam.

Exam flexibility is also an important concept. If an exam has been set as flexible, it provides test takers with the option to use Proctorio, or take the exam with a pre-approved proctor who has the exam password. This allows students to choose a proctoring method that best fits their requirements.

Proctorio is just one tool in the fight against academic dishonesty. As the online education landscape evolves, so too will the approaches to ensure assessment integrity. Knowing the features, limitations, and best practices related to such tools is key to having success in online education.

Understanding these tools will empower you to succeed in online exams. By preparing properly, being aware of the systems, and working within the guidelines, you can avoid unwanted interruptions during your assessment.

Important Considerations:

Clipboard Sync and Apple Devices: A setting called "clipboard sync" in the Apple ecosystem can cause copy/paste issues. If you're using a Mac and are unable to copy/paste from your phone during an exam, this might be the cause.
Accessibility: If you use a screen reader like JAWS, it's essential to ensure that you are using Google Chrome and have the Proctorio extension installed.
Technical Support: If you face technical difficulties, contact your institution's IT support, or the Proctorio support team directly.
Extension Reinstallation: Reinstalling the Chrome extension, or restarting your computer, can sometimes resolve issues.

Below is the table to summarize information:

Category	Details	Notes
Proctorio's Core Function	Online exam proctoring service that integrates with Learning Management Systems (LMS) like Canvas.	Offers several proctoring options.
Key Features	Disables clipboard, monitors screen, locks down browsers, records audio and video, verifies identity.	These are designed to prevent cheating.
Clipboard Block	Prevents copy/paste actions during the exam.	Crucial for preventing the sharing or use of unauthorized information.
Instructor Customization	Allows instructors to adjust settings.	Flexibility can be granted for accessibility purposes.
Common Triggers of Alerts	Proctorio disabled clipboard, unusual audio levels, multiple faces, navigation away from the exam page.	Alerts notify instructors of possible issues.
Student Preparation	Use Google Chrome, install the extension, and check their setup.	Ensure the webcam, and microphone are functional.
Instructor Actions	Use the quick start guide, and configure the exam setting, then communicate these things to the student.	Provide tech support.
Exam Flexibility	Offers students options, such as choosing to use Proctorio or having a proctor.	Promotes a better experience for students.
Technical Support	Contacting the IT support team, or Proctorio team.	Solutions for technical issues can be found there.
Browser Support	Make sure to use Google Chrome.	Proctorio is a Chrome extension.

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