In today’s digital-first education and certification landscape, secure online exams are no longer a niche they’re the norm. But as institutions and awarding bodies move assessments online, two terms often surface: remote invigilation and remote proctoring.
While they both describe the process of monitoring candidates during an online exam, there are key differences in usage, regional preferences, and sometimes even delivery approach.
In this article, we break down remote invigilation vs remote proctoring, highlight when to use each, and explore how the right solution can protect exam integrity while delivering a smooth candidate experience.
Remote invigilation is the term widely used in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and other Commonwealth countries to describe the process of monitoring online exams to ensure integrity and prevent cheating.
It is the digital equivalent of having an invigilator (or exam supervisor) present in a physical exam hall but done via secure online technology.
Online remote invigilation for exams ensures that candidates across regions can take secure, supervised assessments from the comfort of their own home.
Remote proctoring is the equivalent term used in North America. Functionally, it is almost identical to remote invigilation — the difference lies mainly in terminology.
In the U.S. context, a proctor is the individual responsible for supervising an exam, whether in-person or online.
In most cases, the services are functionally the same the variation is primarily in regional terminology and sometimes compliance requirements.
| Aspect | Remote Invigilation | Remote Proctoring |
| Primary Regions | UK, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Commonwealth | USA, Canada |
| Terminology | “Invigilator” | “Proctor” |
| Compliance Standards | Ofqual, ASQA, UK GDPR | FERPA, U.S. State Privacy Laws |
| Technology Used | Secure browser, AI monitoring, live human oversight | Secure browser, AI monitoring, live human oversight |
Whether you call it remote invigilation or remote proctoring, the goal is the same — to ensure exams are secure, fair, and credible.
A good secure remote invigilation software should include:
Talview offers a patented Agentic AI proctoring system — Alvy — that can perform all the tasks of a human invigilator or proctor, at scale, with exceptional accuracy.
Our solution is trusted by universities, awarding organisations, and certification bodies across both North America and the Commonwealth, delivering:
Q1. Is remote invigilation the same as remote proctoring?
Yes, they both refer to online monitoring of exams, but “remote invigilation” is used in Commonwealth countries while “remote proctoring” is used in North America.
Q2. Which is better: live or AI-based remote invigilation?
A hybrid approach is often best. AI detects anomalies in real time, while human reviewers provide judgment and fairness.
Q3. What is the best secure remote invigilation software?
The best solutions combine AI, secure browsers, human oversight, and compliance features. Talview’s Alvy platform delivers all these in one.
Q4. Can remote invigilation work for low-bandwidth areas?
Yes, leading platforms like Talview offer adaptive streaming and offline exam support.
Q5. How do I switch from test centre exams to remote invigilation?
With the right onboarding plan, most institutions can fully transition within weeks, ensuring minimal disruption for candidates.
Whether you say remote invigilation or remote proctoring, what matters is exam integrity and candidate trust.
With solutions like Talview’s Alvy-powered secure remote invigilation software, you can deliver high-stakes exams anywhere in the world without compromising fairness, security, or compliance.