Create and Use a “Proctored Essays & Written Assignments” Exam Profile

How To Create and Use a “Proctored Essays & Written Assignments” Exam Profile

Use this guide to create an exam profile optimized for proctoring essay exams and written assignments and to ensure a smooth experience for your test takers.

In the world of generative AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini, you may want to consider proctoring essay exams and written assignments using the Honorlock desktop application in addition to the browser extension.

Working alongside the Honorlock browser extension, the new Honorlock desktop application provides an extra layer of protection to guard against apps that run outside the browser to secure the exam environment more thoroughly. The Honorlock Application closes the gap between browser security and new, emerging AI threats, like Cluely, that can bypass traditional security measures invisibly. The new Honorlock Application:

✔ Blocks AI & Cheating Tools: Prevents unauthorized desktop apps like AI coding assistants (Cluely), chatbots, and Discord.

✔ Prevents Content Theft: Blocks screen recording and screenshot apps to protect your exam questions.

✔ Continuous Improvement: Honorlock manages and continually monitors the list of blocked applications to stay ahead of new threats.

Why It Matters: Emerging, new AI threats, like Cluely, can bypass browser-only solutions. The Honorlock App helps maintain a fair testing environment across the browser and desktop.

Faculty/ Exam Administrator Checklist: What You Need to Know

✔ Inform test takers they'll need to install the Honorlock desktop app when prompted during exam setup. See suggested text below.

✔ Tell them it’s a one-time install that requires admin rights and can be uninstalled after the exam.

✔ Communicate early, consider adding this to your syllabus or exam instructions.

Suggested Note for Test Takers

To set expectations, we recommend adding the following note to your syllabus or exam announcements:

"For some exams, you will need to install the Honorlock Application. This one-time desktop app installation works with the Chrome extension to secure your exam. Administrator rights are required for installation. You can remove it after the exam.”

Step 1

Navigate to Honorlock within any course. Select the three white vertical dots in the top right of the header.

Step 2

Select “Manage Profiles.”

Step 3

Create a “New Profile.”

Step 4

Name the new exam profile “Proctored Essays & Written Assignments.”

Step 5 Configure your exam profile settings as shown to the right.* Note: If desired, you may also opt to do a room scan, provide a calculator, allow site URLs, or require a side camera.
Step 6 Scroll below settings and visibility and select “Create.”
Step 7 Navigate to Honorlock within any course. Select the settings for any proctored essays or written assignments.
Step 8 Instead of selecting your proctoring settings manually, select “Assessment Profiles.”
Step 9 Apply the new “Proctored Essays & Written Assignments” exam profile (within exam settings) to any essay or written assignment exam.
Step 10 Inform test takers.	Add the note to your syllabus or exam announcements.

* These settings are ideal for assessments leveraging essay or long-answer questions within the LMS. If you want your test takers to leverage a desktop application for their writing, such as Microsoft Word, you can permit specific applications with the Honorlock Application. If you want your test takers to use certain websites, you may permit specific sites via Allowed Site URLs. For more information on the Honorlock Application, please see these additional Knowledge Base articles: