Moodle Proctoring in 2026: What Universities Actually Monitor
What does Moodle proctoring record? Webcam, screen, browser activity and logs explained, plus your privacy rights and how to prepare for a monitored exam.
Proctoring makes many students nervous, partly because it is unclear what is being watched. This guide explains what different layers of monitoring can record during a Moodle exam, so you know what to expect and what your rights are.
Layer 1: Moodle's own logs
Even without any proctoring, Moodle records:
- When you started and submitted each attempt, and how long it took.
- The pages you viewed in the course, with timestamps.
- The IP address used for each action.
- Each question's response history: when you saved or changed an answer.
These logs exist for every quiz, proctored or not. Learn more in features Moodle teachers use to spot cheating.
Layer 2: Quiz settings
Teachers can require a password, a specific network or Safe Exam Browser. These do not watch you, but they restrict where and how you can take the quiz.
Layer 3: Proctoring tools
Proctoring is added through plugins or external services. Depending on the tool and settings, it may record:
- Webcam video and periodic photos of your face.
- Microphone audio.
- Your screen.
- Browser activity, such as switching tabs or windows, during the exam.
- Identity checks at the start, like a photo ID.
- A room scan before you begin.
Software then flags events such as a second face, no face, voices or leaving the exam window. A person reviews the flags.
Your privacy rights
Proctoring involves personal data, so schools must tell you what is collected, why, how long it is kept and who sees it. Look for:
- A privacy notice or consent screen before the exam.
- How long recordings are stored.
- Whether an alternative is available if you cannot use proctoring, for example for disability, privacy or technical reasons.
If anything is unclear, ask your teacher or the school's data protection office before the exam.
How to prepare for a monitored exam
- Read the exam rules and the proctoring instructions.
- Run any system check on your exam device.
- Prepare a quiet, well-lit room with a clear desk.
- Keep your ID ready.
- Tell the people you live with when your exam is.
Our guide on what to expect in a Moodle proctored exam walks through the check-in step by step.
About "what proctoring misses"
You will find content online claiming to list proctoring blind spots. We do not cover that, for a simple reason.
Focus on what you control
Proctoring watches the environment, but your preparation decides the grade. Use the weeks before to practise with AI-generated questions and timed tests. See how to ace Moodle exams with AI-powered studying.
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Try the question yourself, then highlight it and press Alt + X to check your answer right on the page. No tabs, no copy-paste. Start with 20 free credits.
Install extensionFrequently asked questions
Does Moodle record my webcam?
Moodle on its own does not. Webcam recording only happens if your school adds a proctoring plugin or service to the exam, and you will be asked for permission before it starts.
Can Moodle proctoring see my screen?
Some proctoring tools record your screen during the exam. The exam instructions or the tool's consent screen will tell you what is captured.
Who reviews proctoring recordings?
Usually software flags unusual events, and then a teacher or trained reviewer looks at the flagged parts. Some exams use live human proctors instead.