Practical knowledge doesn't fit an MCQ. Viva voce, lab tasks and hands-on assignments traditionally forced candidates and examiners into one room — technology removes that constraint without removing the rigor.
The three formats of online practical assessment
| Format | What it assesses | How it runs online |
|---|---|---|
| Live viva | Oral reasoning, depth of understanding | Examiner and candidate on live video; questions asked and scored in session |
| Screen-recorded task | Hands-on skill — coding, tools, workflows | Candidate performs the task; screen + webcam recorded end to end |
| Practical assignment | Applied output — files, designs, solutions | Candidate uploads work product; evaluators score against a rubric |
Live viva over video
The candidate logs in from anywhere; the examiner joins the session remotely and conducts the oral exam over streaming video. One examiner can assess candidates across cities in a single sitting — no travel, no scheduling around a shared room.
Every session is recorded. That single fact changes viva from the least accountable exam format to one of the most: moderators can review how each examiner questioned and scored, and check that the standard was uniform across the candidate group.
Screen recording for hands-on tasks
For tasks performed on a computer — writing code, operating software, building a spreadsheet model — the system records the candidate's entire screen alongside the webcam feed. Evaluators replay the session and score the process as well as the result: did the candidate follow the recommended procedure, or arrive at the answer by accident?
This is the format skill-certification bodies rely on: India's skill-development programs assess millions of trainees on exactly this pattern, because a recorded practical scales in a way a physically invigilated one never will.
Keeping it secure
Practical exams inherit the same protections as written ones:
Where it fits in your exam program
Practical and viva components slot into the same platform that runs your objective and subjective exams — one candidate record, one role structure, one result pipeline. Universities use this to run end-semester vivas remotely; training institutes use it to certify job-ready skills at scale.
ePravesh and Eklavvya together cover the full assessment stack — admissions, written exams, practicals and vivas. Book a free demo to see the practical-exam workflow.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is a viva test conducted online?
The candidate and examiner join a live video session inside the exam platform — the examiner asks questions, assesses answers in real time and records marks against a rubric. The full session is recorded for moderation and audit.
How are hands-on practical tasks assessed remotely?
Through screen recording — the candidate performs the task (coding, spreadsheet work, software operation) while the system records the entire screen along with the webcam feed. Evaluators score the recording against defined criteria.
Why record online viva and practical sessions?
Recordings make assessment auditable — moderators can verify that questioning and scoring were uniform across candidates, and any disputed result can be reviewed against the actual session instead of memory.
Can practical exams be proctored?
Yes — the same AI and live proctoring used for written online exams applies, with webcam monitoring, secure browser and activity logs running alongside the practical task or viva session.