NotesFAQContact Us
Collection
Advanced
Search Tips
Back to results
Peer reviewed Peer reviewed
Direct linkDirect link
ERIC Number: EJ1492872
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2026-Jan
Pages: 8
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0098-6283
EISSN: EISSN-1532-8023
Available Date: 0000-00-00
Unmonitored Online Exams: Valid Assessment or Score Inflation?
Teaching of Psychology, v53 n1 p4-11 2026
Background: The validity of unmonitored online exams has raised concerns about academic integrity and grade inflation, especially given the rise of artificial intelligence-powered tools. Objective: This study evaluates the validity of unmonitored online exams by comparing student performance between two sections of an undergraduate personality psychology course: one section completed an unmonitored online multiple-choice final exam while the other completed an in-person multiple-choice final exam. Method: A quasi-experimental design was used with two undergraduate personality psychology course sections. Section 1 (Spring 2022, n = 153) took an in-person final exam, while Section 2 (Spring 2023, n = 160) took an unmonitored online final exam. Both sections completed identical in-person exams throughout the semester. Results: Online final exam scores were significantly higher than the in-person final exam scores. The correlation between regular in-person exams was strong for the in-person final exam but weak for the online final exam. Exam format was a stronger predictor of final exam scores than prior performance. Conclusion: Unmonitored online exams lead to inflated scores and may not reflect students' true abilities. Teaching Implications: Educators should reconsider using unmonitored online exams for high-stakes assessments and explore alternative methods or enhanced monitoring to maintain academic integrity.
SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: 1Department of Psychology, Illinois State University, Normal, IL, USA; 2Department of Psychological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA