I've spent over a decade building proctoring technology, but my journey started way earlier—with cassette tapes, BASIC code, and a deep curiosity for how software works. In this post, I reflect on my path from student to PhD, from a kid who sometimes cheated on tests to a CTO shaping how assessments are done online. I believe proctoring, despite its critics, can be a tool for fairness and access—especially when designed thoughtfully. Before dismissing it, I invite you to look at who it serves and how it can bridge gaps, not build walls.
From DIY systems and Linux to creating OctoProctor, secure assessment integrity software that handles 1m+ exams a year – Anton Skshidlevsky invites you to join a journey in time, programming, and academic rigor of EdTech founder.
When I was in school, we didn’t have online systems for learning or assessments. Just one computer lab. Getting a computer at home was a big deal. If you had one, it usually meant your family was relatively well-off. Some internet enthusiasts were pushing the evolution of Web 1.0, StarCraft was the game, and dial-up internet was prevalent. I was curious about how software worked from the inside. I experimented with MS-DOS machines and even wrote BASIC code for the ZX Spectrum. Programs were saved on cassette tapes — the same kind people used for music. If you’ve ever heard dubstep, that’s more or less what it sounded like when programs were saved to cassette.
When I was in school, we didn’t have online systems for learning or assessments. Just one computer lab. Getting a computer at home was a big deal. If you had one, it usually meant your family was relatively well-off. Some internet enthusiasts were pushing the evolution of Web 1.0, StarCraft was the game, and dial-up internet was prevalent. I was curious about how software worked from the inside. I experimented with MS-DOS machines and even wrote BASIC code for the ZX Spectrum. Programs were saved on cassette tapes — the same kind people used for music. If you’ve ever heard dubstep, that’s more or less what it sounded like when programs were saved to cassette.
Back in the day, learning and assessments were all about traditional classrooms. We had just one computer lab, and having a computer at home was a luxury that signified a well-off family. The internet was still in its infancy, with dial-up connections and the rise of Web 1.0. I was fascinated by how software operated behind the scenes, tinkering with MS-DOS and coding in BASIC on the ZX Spectrum. Programs were stored on cassette tapes, which made a unique sound reminiscent of early electronic music. Fast forward to today, and technologies like Node.js have revolutionized web development, allowing for fast, scalable applications that can handle numerous connections simultaneously. It's incredible to see how far we've come!
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6 <span class="text-2xl font-medium">Class Warfare</span>
7 <span class="font-medium text-sky-500">The Anti-Patterns</span>
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9 <span>No. 4</span>
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14</div>We’ve rebranded to reflect who we’ve become: a science-based, privacy-focused proctoring platform designed for modern education, certification, and workforce assessments. OctoProctor represents our commitment to smarter, more adaptable, and test-taker-friendly remote proctoring.
Try proctoringTaking an online test with proctoring for the first time? Wondering how it works, what you’ll need, and how to be fully prepared? You’re in the right place.
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