What Examplify actually records
Examplify records your screen, webcam, and audio during a proctored exam. The software captures everything you see on your monitor, your face and upper body through your webcam, and sound from your microphone. It does not record your keyboard input as text, but it does record the sound of typing and any other noise in your room.
Examplify is the exam software made by ExamSoft, used by law schools and some other professional programs to proctor tests remotely. When your school sets up a proctored exam, they choose what Examplify records based on their own security rules. Most schools require all three — screen, video, and audio — but some may disable one or more of these.
The recording starts when you begin the exam and stops when you submit it. You cannot pause or stop the recording yourself. After you finish, the file uploads to ExamSoft's servers, where your school's proctoring team can review it if they suspect something went wrong during the test.
Key Takeaways
- Examplify records your screen, webcam feed, and microphone audio simultaneously during the entire exam.
- Your school decides which recording features are turned on for your exam — not all schools record all three streams.
- The recording uploads automatically after you submit, and your school can review it if they have concerns about your test.
- You cannot turn off or pause the recording once the exam starts, and Examplify will warn you if your webcam or microphone is not working.
Why schools use Examplify recording
Schools use Examplify's recording features to prevent cheating during remote exams. A live proctor watching your screen in real time can catch obvious problems — someone off-camera helping you, notes visible on your desk, a second monitor — but a recording creates a permanent record that can be reviewed later if something looks suspicious.
The webcam recording lets proctors see your face and hands, which helps them spot whether you are looking away from your screen, reading from paper, or communicating with someone else. The audio recording picks up conversations, phone calls, or background noise that might indicate outside help. The screen recording shows exactly what you saw and clicked on during the exam, which matters if your answers seem inconsistent or if you finish unusually fast.
Most law schools require all three streams because bar exam rules are strict about test security. Some schools may turn off audio-only recording if they are using live proctoring instead, since a live proctor can hear what is happening in real time.
What gets stored and who can see it
Your recording is stored on ExamSoft's servers after you submit your exam. Your school has access to it through their ExamSoft account, and they can download or review it at any time. The recording is not automatically deleted — it stays in the system unless your school or ExamSoft deletes it as part of their data retention policy.
Your school decides who at their institution can view the recording. Usually that means exam administrators, proctoring staff, or academic integrity officers. If your school suspects cheating, they may share the recording with a dean or disciplinary committee. You should check your school's privacy policy to understand exactly who has access and for how long they keep the file.
ExamSoft itself can access the recordings as part of operating their service, but they are bound by their own privacy policy and cannot share your recording with third parties without your school's permission. If you have questions about data retention or who can see your recording, ask your school's exam office directly — they set the rules for your institution.
Technical requirements for recording
Examplify requires a working webcam and microphone to run a proctored exam. Before your test starts, Examplify will test both devices and warn you if either one is not working. If your webcam or microphone fails during the exam, Examplify will pause the test and ask you to fix it. You cannot proceed until both are working again.
Your internet connection must be stable enough to upload the recording file after you finish. Depending on how long your exam is and your upload speed, this can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour. If your upload fails, Examplify will prompt you to try again. Do not close the application until the upload completes — if you do, your school may not receive your recording.
Examplify also requires that your screen resolution and browser meet certain minimums. If you are using an older computer or a very small monitor, you may run into problems. Test your setup using Examplify's system check tool before exam day to avoid surprises.
What Examplify does not record
Examplify does not record your keyboard input as individual keystrokes or as text. It does not capture what you type into the exam answer box — only the sound of you typing. This means ExamSoft cannot see your answers before you submit them, and they cannot reconstruct what you wrote from the recording alone.
Examplify does not record activity on other devices or windows on your computer. If you have a second monitor, Examplify only records your primary screen. If you switch to another application or browser tab, Examplify records that you did it, but it does not record what you saw in that other application. However, most schools' exam rules forbid switching windows or using other applications during the test, so doing so will likely trigger a flag for review.
Examplify does not use eye-tracking or measure how long you look at each question. It does not record your room in 360 degrees — only what your webcam points at. It does not record your mouse movements in detail, though it does record your screen, so reviewers can see what you clicked on.
How to prepare for a recorded exam
Before your exam, make sure your webcam and microphone are clean and working. Position your webcam so it can see your face and upper body clearly — most schools require you to show your desk and the area around you at the start of the exam. Check your lighting so your face is visible and not backlit or in shadow.
Clear your desk of anything your school's rules forbid — notes, textbooks, phones, or other materials. Close all other applications and browser tabs before you start. Silence your phone and ask anyone else in your space to stay quiet during the exam. Some schools require you to show your room on camera before you begin, so be ready to do that.
Test your internet connection and run Examplify's system check tool at least an hour before your exam. If something is not working, you will have time to troubleshoot or contact your school's tech support. Do not wait until five minutes before the exam to discover your microphone is broken.
What happens if something goes wrong with the recording
If your webcam or microphone stops working during the exam, Examplify will pause and ask you to fix it. You cannot continue until both devices are working again. If you cannot fix it, contact your school's exam office immediately — they may be able to help you troubleshoot or reschedule your exam.
If your internet connection drops after you finish the exam but before the recording uploads, Examplify will keep trying to upload automatically. Do not close the application. If the upload fails after multiple attempts, Examplify will give you the option to upload manually or contact your school. Your school's exam office can also help you upload the file if you are having trouble.
If you believe the recording was corrupted or did not capture your exam correctly, report it to your school's exam office as soon as possible. They can check whether the file uploaded successfully and may be able to investigate if something went wrong on ExamSoft's end.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I request that my recording be deleted after my exam?
That depends on your school's data retention policy. Some schools delete recordings after a certain period, while others keep them indefinitely. Contact your school's exam office or privacy officer to find out their policy and whether you can request deletion. You cannot delete the recording yourself.
What if I need to use the bathroom during my exam?
Most schools allow bathroom breaks, but the recording continues the entire time. You will be recorded leaving your desk, being away, and returning. Some schools require you to show your desk is empty before you leave. Check your school's specific exam rules about breaks.
Can Examplify record if I use a virtual machine or remote desktop?
Examplify can run on some virtual machines and remote desktops, but recording may not work properly depending on your setup. Test this before your exam using Examplify's system check. If you are unsure whether your setup will work, contact your school's tech support in advance.
Will my school know if I look away from my screen?
Yes, if your school reviews the recording. The webcam captures where you are looking, and reviewers can see if you are staring at your desk, looking to the side, or away from your monitor. However, your school only reviews the recording if they suspect something went wrong — they do not automatically watch every student's recording.
What if someone else is in my room during the exam?
Most schools forbid other people being in your room during a proctored exam. If someone else is visible on your webcam recording, your school may flag it as a violation. Check your school's exam rules before your test to understand what is and is not allowed in your testing space.