Proctored exams can be multiple choice, but they are not always limited to that format—the question type depends entirely on the course, institution, or certification body administering the test. While many proctored exams—especially in large online courses, nursing programs, or standardized testing—do use multiple-choice questions for ease of automated grading, others include a mix of formats to assess deeper understanding.
For example, multiple-choice questions are common in proctored exams like the NCLEX, HESI, SAT, or university-level quizzes because they’re efficient to score and align well with learning objectives that test knowledge recall, application, and clinical judgment. In these cases, yes—your proctored exam will likely be multiple choice.
However, many proctored exams also include:
- Short-answer or essay questions (common in humanities, education, or graduate courses),
- Fill-in-the-blank or matching,
- Math or science problems requiring typed or uploaded solutions,
- Coding exercises (in computer science exams),
- Or even file uploads for diagrams, calculations, or written work.
Online proctoring platforms like Respondus, ProctorU, and Examity support all these formats while still monitoring your screen, webcam, and microphone to maintain integrity.
So while multiple choice is a frequent format in proctored exams, it’s not universal. Always check your course syllabus, exam instructions, or practice materials to know what to expect. Some exams even combine auto-graded multiple-choice sections with instructor-graded written responses—all under proctoring.
In summary, proctored test may be multiple choice, but they can also include various question types depending on the subject and learning goals. Don’t assume the format—verify it ahead of time. Understanding whether your proctored exam is multiple choice helps you prepare effectively and reduces test-day surprises.