Best Universities With No Proctored Exams

Why Choose a University Without Proctored Exams?

This article will cover the best universities with no proctored exams as well as educate students on why this may be a good decision for their college future.

Cheating and dishonesty are quite prevalent in colleges and universities. Many students focus so much on finding ways to get better grades that they forget the real value lies in the knowledge they gain. As a result, more schools have enforced strict policies on proctored exams to prevent cheating.

So, what is a proctored exam?

A proctored test is where someone (a proctor) keeps an eye on you to ensure everything stays honest. They’ll confirm your identity and make sure you’re following the rules. This can happen in person, where a school official watches you take the test, or remotely, where you’re monitored through your webcam.

For some students, however, proctored exams can do more harm than good. They considerably increase stress, intimidation, and anxiety, which may ultimately fail their tests. To create a more flexible and less anxiety-inducing learning experience, universities with no proctored exams have been gaining more popularity.

So, why should you consider online colleges without proctored exams?

For many students, it represents a chance to focus more on truly understanding the material. A meaningful number of proctored exams contributes to unnecessary pressure, particularly for people who battle with test anxiety. On the other hand, many college students find that they can learn better at their own pace with a non-proctored setup and show their knowledge through multiple assessments.

How Do Universities Without Proctored Exams Assess Students?

You might be wondering how no-proctor exam universities assess students. Well, they do it in several ways, using what’s known as alternative assessment methods. Here’s how it works:

• Open-book tests: Instead of memorizing everything, you can refer to your notes or textbooks while taking the exam. It’s more about applying what you’ve learned than recalling information by heart.
• Essays: There’s no one “right” answer in an essay. It’s your chance to show your critical thinking skills by sharing your own perspective, not just repeating facts. Plus, most prompts focus on specific topics, so you’re not reviewing the whole semester.
• Projects: Some programs use real-world projects to evaluate your learning. These could be presentations, research projects, or practical tasks that let you apply your studies to real situations.
• Quizzes: Short, frequent quizzes are often used to test your understanding of smaller sections of the material. These are typically less stressful than big exams and can be a great way to reinforce what you’ve learned.
• Discussions/Participation: Some courses will assess you through active participation or online discussions. Instead of just answering questions, your insights, questions, and contributions to the conversation can actually count toward your final grade. These alternative assessment methods in online colleges are a great way to show you’re actively involved in learning!

Top Universities With No Proctored Exams

Here’s the moment you’ve been waiting for: the five best online universities with no proctored exams.

To make sure you’re getting the best value, we’ve used the following factors to evaluate colleges and universities:

1. Affordability: We looked at tuition rates and financial aid options to make sure you’re getting great value for your money.
2. Accreditation: Only accredited universities made the cut, so you can be confident that your degree is recognized.
3. Degree Options: We made sure to include the best accredited and affordable online colleges with no proctored exams that offer a variety of degree programs. This gives you plenty of options on what to study.

The University of Oklahoma

• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
• Average Tuition
  • Undergraduate: $9,595
  • Graduate: $15,225
• Popular Majors:
  • Business Administration
  • Health and Exercise Science
  • Psychology
  • Education
  • Engineering

The University of Oklahoma is one of the best options for online degree programs without proctored tests. They take advantage of Canvas Quizzes and its built-in features to ensure assessments are safe and reliable. Here’s how they do it:

First, UO uses multiple Quiz Banks, which means no two students take the same exam. This helps prevent cheating and ensures each exam is unique. On top of that, they add time restrictions to keep students from having too much time to search for answers or collaborate with others.

They also get creative with specialized question types and answer randomization, making it even harder to copy answers. So, instead of spending hours setting up a proctoring service, the University of Oklahoma uses these features to create strong, secure exams that focus on testing what students know—without the extra hassle.

It’s a great example of how tech and thoughtful teaching strategies can work together to make online learning both efficient and secure!

The University of Iowa

• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
• Average Tuition
  • Undergraduate: $12,606
  • Graduate: $19,150
• Popular Majors:
  • Business
  • Nursing
  • Communications
  • Psychology
  • Social Work

The University of Iowa embraces non-proctored exams to give its students more flexibility and convenience and less stress and anxiety. These exams allow students to access materials, placing trust in their academic integrity. It’s a great way to assess more than just recall; they’re easy to navigate.

To prevent cheating, its no-proctored exams use online learning assessment methods and tools like Respondus Lockdown Browser, which blocks other programs, including AI tools like ChatGPT, from assisting students during exams. They also set up additional security features in ICON, like shuffling answers, setting a time limit, and limiting attempts, to protect exam integrity further.

Peru State College

• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
• Average Tuition
  • Undergraduate: $12,689
  • Graduate: $24,058
• Popular Majors:
  • Business Administration
  • Criminal Justice
  • Early Childhood Education
  • Liberal Arts
  • Psychology

Peru State College Online has had over 155 years of academic excellence and offers many affordable, flexible, accredited degree programs. Its online programs stress convenience and student success, making them a top option for people who prefer a no-proctor exam environment.

Peru State College uses reliable alternative assessments instead of the usual proctoring. In some courses, however, students are required to report on campus to complete project-based assignments. Other methods Peru State uses include random questions (guaranteeing no cheating!) and essay-style exams.

What is truly great is their faculty’s active pursuit of deeper understanding instead of simple memorization. The emphasis is on examining students’ genuine comprehension and promoting the use of students’ knowledge in practical situations. This opportunity presents an outstanding chance to present what you know in real-time.

National University

• Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission
• Average Tuition
  • Undergraduate: $13,284
  • Graduate: $20,995
• Popular Majors:
  • Business Administration
  • Nursing
  • Information Technology
  • Psychology
  • Education

National University is one of the best universities with no proctored exams. Instead of those nerve-wracking, proctored exams, they focus on giving you the freedom to take the test in a way that works for you.

In most cases, students will have 30 multiple-choice questions with a 1-hour time limit. The best part? These exams are typically open books and open notes. Sounds easy, right? Well, not so fast. With only two minutes per question, there’s no time to go digging through your book for every answer. You need to know the material.

They don’t just stop there. The no-proctor approach is part of a larger philosophy where they design assessments that focus on real-world applications and deeper understanding. Instead of memorizing facts for a test, they want you to engage with the material, think critically and show you’ve actually absorbed what you’re learning.

Texas State University

• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges & Schools Commission on Colleges
• Average Tuition
  • Undergraduate: $14,120
  • Graduate: $23,210
• Popular Majors:
  • Business Administration
  • Computer Science
  • Education
  • Health Administration
  • Criminal Justice

At Texas State, most online self-paced courses require students to take one to three exams, but here’s the good news: some of these courses offer non-proctored exams! If you’re hoping to avoid the stress of a proctored exam, you can request this option—but you’ll need to take a few simple steps.

To request a non-proctored exam, you must diligently fill out the exam request form and access it on the school’s website. These forms are submitted before receiving the exam code or accessing the exam materials.

Timing is important; therefore, be sure to submit your request at least two business days before taking your exam. This way, all necessary materials for taking the test on a designated schedule are prepared, eliminating the added pressure of proctoring.

Are Online Colleges Without Proctored Exams Legitimate?

Now that you know how online colleges prevent cheating without proctoring, it’s time to answer another big question: “Are Online Colleges Without Proctored Exams Legitimate?”

The short answer is yes—provided a recognized agency accredits the school.

Accreditation ensures that the institutions meets specific standards of academic quality and that employers and other educational institutions respect its degrees. It also helps guarantee that students are receiving a quality education and that the credits they earn are transferable to other colleges if needed.

Even without proctored exams, accredited online colleges can still uphold a high level of academic integrity. Students may write detailed essays, research papers, and projects that require deeper understanding and analysis. An important aspect of these assessments is their ability to show the student’s capacity to apply what has been learned rather than simply repeat information.

Furthermore, many online universities use plagiarism detection software and peer reviews to ensure students submit their own work. This helps prevent cheating while ensuring that all students are graded fairly.

Pros and Cons of Enrolling in a University Without Proctored Exams

Like any decision, enrolling in a university without proctored exams comes with both advantages and potential drawbacks.

Here’s a look at the pros and cons:

Pros:

• Flexibility: You can take exams when it works for you, so it’s easier to juggle work, family, and other commitments.
• Less Stress: No proctor means less anxiety and more focus on actually learning.
• Variety: Non-proctored exams often include projects or essays, which can work better for different learning styles.

Cons:

• Credibility Issues: Some might question how tough the program really is without proctored exams.
• Variation in Rigor: Non-proctored exams can vary in difficulty, which might impact how employers view your degree.

How to Choose the Right Online College With No Proctored Exams

1. Cost: Prices can vary. We suggest choosing affordable but reputable colleges so you don’t break the bank or end up with mountains of student loans. Check for financial aid for online colleges with no proctored exams.
2. Accreditation: Make sure the school is accredited. You want your degree to actually mean something when it’s time to impress employers.
3. Learning Style: Select the format that suits your learning style, whether you prefer self-paced or more structured learning.
4. Programs: Double-check if the degrees align with your career goals. You don’t want to earn a great degree for a job you’re not interested in.

Here are a few practical tips on researching and applying for universities with no proctored exams:

• Do your homework: Check out the college’s website, read student reviews, and talk to current or former students and set expectations.
• Ask the right questions: Reach out to admissions or academic advisors to clarify things like transfer policies, available support, and course flexibility.
• Submit your application: Once you’ve found the right fit, get that application in and start your journey toward a flexible, no-proctored-exam education!

Conclusion: Is a University Without Proctored Exams Right for You?

If you’re looking for a degree with a flexible and low-stress approach, attending a university that requires no proctored exams may be the perfect solution. Whether striving to save money, reduce test anxiety, or simply learn at your own pace, these universities provide great alternatives to customary exam-based assessments with proctors.

However, it’s important to research your options thoroughly. Verify whether the school has proper accreditation; otherwise, you’ll spend time and money on a useless degree.