No recording
Minimal dataNo video, audio or screenshots are captured.
- Best for
- In-person invigilated sittings, or lockdown-only security.
- Trade-off
- No footage to review after the exam.
Synoptic guide
Synoptic proctoring, in depth
How Synoptic works, what each level detects, the trade-offs, and how to choose the right setup for your exams.
Overview
One proctoring tool, built for range
Synoptic is Synap’s built-in proctoring, designed to cover everything from a quick practice test to a high-stakes professional exam — without bolting on a third-party tool.
The key idea is that you make two independent choices for every exam: how the exam is delivered (the install level), and what is recorded (the monitoring level). Mixing and matching gives you exactly the level of security and evidence each assessment needs.
The core idea
Two independent choices
Set these separately per exam — for example, desktop lockdown with no recording for an invigilated sitting, or browser delivery with snapshots for a remote test.
Install level
How the exam reaches the candidate — browser, extension or desktop app. Determines how much can be actively locked down.
Monitoring level
What is recorded or observed — nothing, periodic snapshots, or full video and audio. Determines the evidence you keep.
Built in, not bolted on
Proctoring designed for Synap exams
Synoptic is built specifically for exams delivered on Synap — part of the same platform, not a third-party tool wired in afterwards. That removes the sync gaps, hand-offs and blind spots common to bolt-on proctoring, and gives you one place to configure, run and review. With three delivery options, it runs on effectively any device.
- Any modern browser
- Chrome & Edge extension
- Windows & macOS app
Zero install
Lowest frictionRuns in any browser, with nothing to install
Zero Install runs entirely in a modern web browser — no plugins, extensions or downloads. It is the most seamless, lowest-friction option, and the most universally compatible.
Best for: Corporate or school environments where candidates can’t install software, and exams sat on mobile devices.
- Any modern browser
- Desktop & mobile
Key capabilities
- Webcam and screen recording, with permission
- Snapshot capture and on-screen recreation
- Focus and tab-switch detection
- No download, plugin or admin rights required
Good to know
- Cannot hard-block other apps or websites
- Relies on monitoring and detection rather than lockdown
Browser extension
BalancedA lightweight extension for tighter oversight
A Chrome or Edge extension adds a higher degree of security while keeping a streamlined, browser-based experience — most notably the ability to detect additional monitors.
Best for: Medium-stakes remote exams that need more oversight without a full desktop install.
- Google Chrome
- Microsoft Edge
Key capabilities
- Everything in Zero Install
- Detects additional monitors and screens
- Enhanced breach detection
- Tighter tab and window monitoring
Good to know
- Requires a supported Chromium browser
- Some controls detect-and-flag rather than hard-block
Desktop app
Highest securityFull lockdown for high-stakes exams
The desktop app delivers the strongest lockdown: a controlled testing environment that blocks other software, prevents content capture, and protects your exam material.
Best for: High-stakes exams where integrity and content protection are critical.
- Windows 10
- Windows 11
- macOS
Key capabilities
- Blocks other websites, browsers and applications
- Blocks AI tools
- Prevents screenshots and content capture
- Prevents minimising the exam window
- Detects additional monitors
Good to know
- Requires an install; desktop and laptop only
- Best paired with a monitoring level for a full record
Monitoring levels
What gets recorded
Screenshot & recreation
Cost-effectivePeriodic webcam and screen images (about every 5 seconds) plus a playable reconstruction of on-screen activity.
- Best for
- Medium-stakes exams or low-bandwidth environments.
- Trade-off
- Gaps between snapshots; not continuous video.
Video & audio
Maximum coverageContinuous screen, webcam and audio recording for a complete record.
- Best for
- High-stakes exams needing a full audit trail.
- Trade-off
- The most data captured and stored; highest bandwidth.
Before the exam
Every candidate passes a pre-flight check
Before a proctored exam opens, Synoptic runs a series of environment checks, so problems are caught up front rather than mid-exam. Candidates can’t start until the required checks pass.
System check
- Blocked applications closed
- No virtual machine detected
- Webcam permission granted
- Screen-share permission granted
- Exam window in focus
- !Second screen — disconnect to continue
Waiting for checks…
What Synoptic detects
Events, controls and flags
What is available depends on the install level. Browser and extension deliver detection; the desktop app adds hard lockdown controls.
Detected & logged
- Leaving the exam window (focus lost)
- Opening a new tab or window
- Connecting an additional monitor
- Exiting fullscreen
- Losing webcam, screen or audio access
- Monitoring interrupted or connection dropped
Blocked (desktop lockdown)
- Access to other websites and browsers
- Access to desktop applications
- Use of AI tools
- Screenshots and content capture
- Minimising the exam window
AI event flags
- Candidate leaves frame
- A second person appears
- People and objects outlined by segmentation
- Every flag timestamped for review
Desktop app · lockdown
Screenshot blocked
Content protection
Protect your exam content from capture
In the desktop app’s lockdown environment, Synoptic actively protects your questions and materials. Capture attempts are blocked, so high-value content stays inside the exam.
Screenshot prevention
Blocks screenshot shortcuts and operating-system capture tools.
Screen-capture protection
Prevents on-screen exam content being captured or recorded by other tools.
Copy & paste blocking
Stops exam content being copied out of the exam window.
Desktop app only
Available in the lockdown desktop environment, where these controls can be enforced.
AI-assisted review
AI narrows the haystack; people make the call
When AI review is enabled, Synoptic analyses recorded footage, draws precise outlines around the people and objects in frame, and flags moments worth a closer look — like a candidate leaving frame or a second person appearing. Each flag is timestamped so reviewers jump straight to it. The AI is a visual aid only; it never issues an automated verdict.
Configuration
Options you control per exam
Require fullscreen. Force the exam to run in fullscreen.
Restrict additional tabs. Detect or block extra browser tabs.
Restrict additional monitors. Detect or block second screens.
Prevent screenshots. Block screenshot and capture shortcuts (desktop app).
Snapshot capture. Periodic webcam and screen images, about every 5 seconds.
On breach. Freeze the exam until resolved, or log the breach silently and continue.
Live proctoring. Turn real-time invigilation on or off.
Review requirement. Make proctor review optional or required before an attempt finalises.
How to choose
A sensible starting point
Not prescriptive — mix and match to fit your exam, cohort and risk.
ScenarioInstallMonitoring
Low-stakes / practiceNo installSnapshots (or none)
Medium-stakes remoteBrowser extensionScreenshot & recreation
High-stakesDesktop app (lockdown)Video & audio + AI review
In-person invigilatedDesktop app (lockdown)No recording
Data protection & privacy
Proctoring, handled responsibly
Proctoring is sensitive by nature. Footage is only ever captured at the monitoring level you choose, protected in transit and at rest, and treated with candidate privacy and fairness in mind. For platform-wide security, hosting and compliance, see our security and data protection page.
Security & data protectionYour data, your control
- ISO/IEC 27001 certified
- EU or US regional hosting, for data sovereignty
- Configurable data-retention periods
- Controlled access to proctoring data — time-limited links and enforced MFA
Responsible AI
- AI assists reviewers; it never makes the decision
- Your data is never used to train models
- Built on open-source models, run on Synap’s own infrastructure — no third-party or proprietary LLMs
Fair to every candidate
- Designed by our UK team around privacy, fairness and proportionality
- Works in low-bandwidth environments — candidates are not penalised for their connection or hardware
- A built-in setup wizard guides candidates, with troubleshooting at every step
- A proportionate level of security you set per exam
Built on years of experience in the field, and shaped by our customers’ feedback.
See Synoptic configured for your exams
Book a walkthrough and we will set up the right install, monitoring and review for your assessments.
Certified & independently rated
