Yes, Proctorio records video and audio during exams, plus captures your screen and keyboard activity

Proctorio is a remote proctoring tool that records your webcam, microphone, screen, and keystroke patterns while you take an exam. It captures continuous video of your face and surroundings, audio of anything you say, and a complete record of what appears on your screen and how fast you type. The recording happens automatically once you start the exam and continues until you finish and submit your answers.

The recording is stored on Proctorio's servers and can be reviewed by your instructor or institution. You do not have the option to turn off recording during an exam — it is a built-in requirement of how the software works. Some institutions also use Proctorio's AI analysis tools, which scan the recordings for suspicious behavior like looking away from the screen, detecting multiple faces, or flagging unusual keyboard patterns.

Key Takeaways

  • Proctorio records your face, voice, screen, and typing activity continuously from the moment you start the exam until you submit it.
  • Your instructor and institution can view the recording and any AI-generated flags, though policies on what they actually review vary by school.
  • You cannot disable recording during an exam — it is a mandatory part of the proctoring process.
  • The recording persists after the exam ends and is stored on Proctorio's servers, not deleted automatically.
  • Some institutions use Proctorio's AI tools to flag behavior patterns, while others only review recordings if a human proctor suspects cheating.

What gets recorded and stored

Proctorio captures four separate data streams during your exam. Your webcam records continuous video of your face, head, and upper body, along with whatever is visible in the background behind you. Your microphone records all sound in the room, including your voice, background noise, and any other audio. Your screen is recorded in full, showing every webpage, document, or application you open, every keystroke you make, and every mouse movement. Proctorio also logs your typing speed and patterns, which its AI can later analyze for anomalies.

All of this data is uploaded to Proctorio's servers and stored there indefinitely unless your institution has a specific data retention policy that deletes it after a set period. Your school controls access to the recordings, but Proctorio itself retains the raw files. If your institution uses Proctorio's AI analysis features, those tools scan the recordings automatically and flag moments or patterns that seem suspicious — such as detecting a second person in the frame, your eyes leaving the screen for more than a few seconds, or typing speed that changes dramatically mid-exam.

Who can see your recording

Your instructor and your institution's testing or academic integrity office can access your recording. Some schools grant access only to specific staff members, while others may allow multiple people to review it. The exact policy depends on your school's agreement with Proctorio and their internal rules about who handles suspected violations.

If Proctorio's AI flags something in your recording, your instructor will typically see a notification or a summary of the flagged moments. Whether they actually watch the full recording or only review the flagged segments depends on your school's practices. Some institutions review all recordings as a matter of course; others only pull them if there is a specific reason to suspect cheating. You should check your school's testing policy or ask your instructor directly about their review practices.

What happens to the recording after the exam

The recording does not automatically delete after you finish the exam. It remains on Proctorio's servers and is available to your institution for review. How long it stays depends on your school's data retention agreement with Proctorio — some institutions keep recordings for one semester, others for several years, and some have no set deletion date.

You cannot request that your recording be deleted once it is submitted. If you want to know how long your school keeps exam recordings, contact your registrar's office or academic integrity office. Some schools publish this information in their testing policies; others do not, and you may need to ask directly.

Technical requirements and what Proctorio needs access to

To run Proctorio, you must install a browser extension (available for Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge) that gives the software permission to access your webcam, microphone, and screen. The extension also monitors your keyboard and can detect when you switch browser tabs or open other applications. Proctorio requires a stable internet connection and will pause or flag the exam if your connection drops.

The extension runs at the operating system level, which means it can see activity outside your browser — for example, if you minimize the exam window and open another program. This is by design: Proctorio is built to detect when you leave the exam environment. You will need to disable browser extensions, close other applications, and clear your desk of unauthorized materials before starting.

Differences between Proctorio's recording and live proctoring

Proctorio offers two modes: recorded proctoring (where the exam is recorded and reviewed later) and live proctoring (where a human proctor watches in real time via webcam). With recorded proctoring, no one is watching you during the exam — the recording is reviewed afterward, either by a human or by AI tools, or both. With live proctoring, a human proctor is present throughout and can intervene immediately if they see something suspicious.

Recorded proctoring is cheaper for institutions and less intrusive during the exam itself, but it means you have no chance to explain suspicious behavior in the moment. Live proctoring costs more but allows for real-time clarification. Both modes record everything; the difference is whether someone is actively monitoring while you test.

Privacy considerations and what you should know

Proctorio's recording captures your physical environment, which means your background, any family members or roommates who walk by, and anything visible on your desk are all recorded. If you are testing from home, be aware that your living space is part of the recording. Some students have raised concerns about the invasiveness of this level of monitoring, particularly for students with disabilities or those living in shared housing.

Your institution controls the privacy policy for how your recording is used. Proctorio itself is bound by its own privacy policy, which states that it does not sell your data to third parties but does retain it on its servers. If you have concerns about privacy or the scope of recording, review your school's testing policy and consider reaching out to your institution's disability services or student advocacy office if you believe the recording requirements create a hardship for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I turn off my webcam or microphone during the exam?

No. Proctorio requires both your webcam and microphone to be active and recording throughout the entire exam. If either is disabled, the exam will not start or will be flagged as a violation. You cannot pause or stop recording once the exam begins.

What happens if Proctorio detects suspicious behavior in my recording?

Proctorio's AI flags moments it considers suspicious — such as detecting a second face, your gaze leaving the screen, or unusual typing patterns — and your instructor receives a notification. Whether this leads to further investigation depends on your school's policy. Some institutions review flagged recordings automatically; others only investigate if the instructor chooses to. A flag does not automatically mean you will be accused of cheating, but it does mean your recording will likely be reviewed more closely.

How long does Proctorio keep my recording?

Proctorio stores recordings indefinitely on its servers unless your institution has a specific data retention policy that requires deletion after a certain period. Contact your registrar or academic integrity office to find out your school's retention timeline. Most institutions keep exam recordings for at least one academic year.

Can I see my own recording after the exam?

That depends on your institution's policy. Some schools allow students to request their own recordings; others do not. Ask your instructor or testing center whether you can access your recording for review. If you believe there was an error in how your exam was proctored, having access to your own recording can help you dispute it.

Does Proctorio record if I step away from my desk?

Yes. Proctorio continues recording the entire time the exam window is open, whether you are at your desk or not. If you leave the frame, that will be recorded and may be flagged by the AI. If you need to step away, you should end the exam session, and your instructor will see that you left during the test.