Illustrated avatar of Megan Butterfield

Author

Megan Butterfield

Sales Executive at Synap

Megan works with education and training organisations at Synap, running product demos and helping teams pin down exactly what they need from an assessment platform. She spends her days in conversations about security, scalability and delivery, and writes to share the questions worth asking — and the answers that matter — when evaluating online exam software.

  • Product demos
  • Assessment requirements
  • Training providers
  • Exam delivery

Blog posts (16)

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Laptop showing an online exam with interactive question types including multiple choice, drag and drop, ranking, cloze text, image hotspot, and dropdown
·12 min read

The complete guide to online exam question types (and when to use them)

From auto-graded MCQs to manually marked essays and coding tasks. Choose the right question formats to assess knowledge, skills, and real-world application.

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Question TypesAuthoringExam Design
Developer writing code on a laptop to build a custom exam platform
·6 min read

Why you shouldn’t build your own online exam platform from scratch (and what to do instead)

The hidden costs, risks, and delays of building an exam platform from scratch: and why a ready-made solution is the smarter investment.

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ScalabilityExam DeliverySecurity
Checklist with tick marks representing steps for choosing an online exam platform
·6 min read

The ultimate checklist for choosing an online exam platform

A complete guide to evaluating features, security, integrations, and pricing before choosing your online exam software.

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Exam DesignSecurityIntegrations
Person typing on a laptop with digital icons representing different examiner roles in an online marking system
·4 min read

Understanding modern marker roles: From provisional graders to backreading and more

Explore the key grading roles in online exams and how they support fair, consistent marking.

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Grading
Hands typing on a laptop with a digital checklist overlay representing online exam marking and automated assessment tools.
·5 min read

Mastering the grading process with essential marking features

Explore features like blind marking, rubrics, automated notifications, and marker inboxes to improve grading accuracy, fairness, and efficiency.

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Grading
Multiple-choice test sheet marked SAT with a pencil and graduation cap symbolising a high-stakes summative assessment
·4 min read

Formative vs Summative assessment: What's the difference?

How formative and summative assessments work together to improve learning outcomes and certification success.

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AssessmentAssessment TypesExam Preparation
Hand drawing over a digital interface with the word API in the center, surrounded by icons representing cloud computing, data syncing, and system integration.
·13 min read

25 powerful API use cases to improve your online exams

Unlock seamless, scalable exam delivery with these powerful API use cases that streamline admin, enhance UX, and integrate your systems.

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IntegrationsAutomationPersonalised Learning
Student studying with open books, a laptop, and stationery supplies on a desk, representing preparation and academic assessment.
·6 min read

Types of assessment in education: Formative, summative, diagnostic and more

A comprehensive guide to understanding the key types of assessment and how they support better learning outcomes.

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Assessment Types
Person holding two wooden puzzle pieces near a laptop, symbolizing system integration or connecting tools in a digital environment.
·6 min read

An overview of LTI integration for online exams

Discover how LTI integration can enhance online exam experiences by streamlining workflows, improving security, and ensuring seamless access within your LMS.

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IntegrationsLmsSecurity
A student sits at a desk with a notebook and laptop, smiling at a teacher giving a thumbs-up during an online tutoring session.
·13 min read

A complete guide to growing an online tutoring business

7 essential steps to consider when starting and scaling your online tutoring business.

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Laptop from above
·8 min read

15 features to boost your online exam preparation delivery

Discover 15 essential features to look for in an effective online exam prep platform.

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Exam PreparationPersonalised LearningAnalytics
Best anti cheat software header image
·7 min read

Why Synap is the best anti-cheat software

Discover how Synap's advanced anti-cheat software ensures secure and fair online exams for educational institutions.

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ProctoringExam Integrity
Understanding exam proctoring header image
·7 min read

Understanding exam proctoring: A guide to online proctoring services

Explore the essentials of online exam proctoring, from methods and technologies to tips for a seamless, secure assessment experience.

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Online ExamsProctoringExam Integrity
Woman reading notes
·6 min read

How to prevent cheating in online exams with effective security measures

Discover advanced security measures to prevent cheating in online exams, including proctoring tools, lockdown mode, and automated breach detection.

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ProctoringExam IntegrityArtifical Intelligence
Person on laptop with notebook
·5 min read

Sub-Portals explained: Enhancing user management and content distribution

Discover how customisable sub-portals can transform your exam platform by streamlining user access and tailoring content delivery for different user groups.

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User ManagementB2bEnterprise Features
Zapier integrations with various applications including Slack, Gmail, WooCommerce, Google Calendar, Google Sheets, HubSpot, Mailchimp, Shopify, Salesforce, and more.
·8 min read

Achieve more with less effort: How to scale online exams with automations via Zapier

Explore how Zapier can connect Synap with over 6,000+ tools to automate exam workflows, enhancing efficiency and saving valuable time.

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IntegrationsAutomationScalability