The results of this study show clear grade disparities between proctored and un-proctored exams. One explanation for the higher exam grades and longer testing times observed in non-proctored students may be time spent using restricted materials (Google, textbooks, notes, etc.). Un-proctored students may have taken advantage of the online format and time available to look up answers.

Given these results, the use of proctoring services seems to lessen the prevalence of cheating in online exams. After controlling for the effects of test difficulty and student and teacher differences, students taking proctored online exams scored ~17 points lower compared to un-proctored students.