Does MyStatLab Detect Cheating? What It Actually Tracks
A factual breakdown of what MyStatLab (MyLab Statistics) monitors on its own versus what requires proctoring software.
Quick Answer
On its own, MyStatLab tracks time spent, submission timestamps, number of attempts, and your score history. It does not monitor your webcam, browser tabs, or physical location unless your school has added proctoring software such as Honorlock, Respondus LockDown Browser, ProctorU, or Examity. This page breaks down exactly what the platform sees, what proctoring adds on top of it, and what none of it actually tells an instructor.
On this page:
What MyStatLab Tracks ·
Proctoring Software ·
Performance Patterns ·
VPNs and Location ·
What Instructors See ·
FAQ
What MyStatLab Tracks on Its Own
MyStatLab is a homework and testing platform, not surveillance software. Left on its own, without any school-added proctoring layer, it records the same kind of activity data most online coursework platforms record.
Time Spent
Every quiz, test, and homework summary shows a time-spent field, tracked down to the minute and second.
Submission Timestamps
When an assignment was started, when it was submitted, and whether it came in before or after the due date.
Attempt Count
Many assignments allow multiple attempts. MyStatLab logs how many attempts were used on each question.
Score History
Question-level correctness and partial credit, visible to both student and instructor in the assignment summary.
Like most Pearson platforms, MyStatLab logs basic account and session information for security purposes. This is standard account activity logging, not a dedicated cheating-detection system, and it is separate from anything a proctoring add-on records.
A real MyStatLab summary screen. Time Spent and Date Submitted are visible to both student and instructor by default, this is the kind of native tracking described above.
What Requires Proctoring Software
The tracking most students actually worry about, webcam monitoring, screen locking, and tab-switch detection, does not come from MyStatLab itself. It comes from a separate proctoring tool that a school layers on top of specific exams.
| Tool | What It Adds |
|---|---|
| Respondus LockDown Browser | Locks the browser to a single window, blocking other applications during a test. |
| Honorlock | Records webcam and screen, uses AI flagging for unusual movement or a second person in frame. |
| ProctorU | Live or recorded human proctoring with ID verification before the exam starts. |
| Examity | Similar to ProctorU, with identity verification and recorded session review. |
Not every MyStatLab course uses proctoring, and not every assignment within a proctored course is proctored. Homework and practice sets are rarely locked down. Quizzes and exams are the most common target, but this varies entirely by instructor and by school. Check your syllabus if you are unsure which parts of your course are proctored.
Performance Patterns Instructors Notice
Neither MyStatLab nor StatCrunch runs automated pattern detection the way some adaptive platforms do. What actually gets noticed tends to come from an instructor manually comparing numbers, not from the software flagging anything automatically.
VPNs and Location
MyStatLab does not have a dedicated VPN-blocking feature. Basic session and login data is standard account activity, and a login location that looks unusual compared to your normal pattern could theoretically stand out if anyone were reviewing it closely, though this is not something MyStatLab actively flags for cheating on its own. It becomes more relevant only if a school has layered proctoring software on top, since some proctoring tools do check IP and location as part of identity verification.
What Instructors Actually See
Without proctoring, an instructor’s MyStatLab dashboard shows scores, time spent, attempt counts, and submission timestamps, the same summary data available in the screenshots above. It does not show keystrokes, mouse movement, or anything happening outside the MyStatLab window unless a proctoring tool is layered on top and configured to record that. A lot of the fear around this platform comes from assuming it watches more than it does. In most non-proctored courses, it does not.
Using a Different Platform?
If your course runs on ALEKS instead, see our matching breakdown: Does ALEKS Detect Cheating? Taking a math course on MyMathLab instead of statistics? See Can MyMathLab Detect Cheating? Working in StatCrunch specifically? See our StatCrunch project help page. Considering an AI tool instead of a person? See Can AI Really Do My Statistics Homework? for why that carries its own accuracy risk.
If You Would Rather Not Take the Risk Yourself
Understanding what MyStatLab tracks is useful, but it does not make the underlying problem go away, the coursework still needs to get done accurately and on time. That is where hiring a real statistics expert is a different kind of solution entirely. It is not about staying under a radar, it is about the work being done correctly by someone who actually knows the material, so there is nothing inconsistent for an instructor to notice in the first place.
We complete MyStatLab homework, quizzes, exams, and full courses, including StatCrunch projects, backed by our A/B grade guarantee. See pricing for a sense of cost before you request a quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does MyStatLab detect cheating on its own?
Not directly. On its own it tracks time spent, submission timestamps, attempt counts, and scores. It does not monitor your webcam, tabs, or location unless proctoring software has been added by your school.
Can MyStatLab tell if I use a VPN?
MyStatLab does not have a dedicated VPN-detection feature. Basic login and session data is standard account activity logging, not an active cheating check, though a proctoring add-on layered on top could factor location into identity verification.
Does StatCrunch add extra tracking beyond MyStatLab?
No. StatCrunch itself does not add monitoring beyond what MyStatLab or a proctoring tool already records. It functions as the analysis software, not a surveillance layer.
Can MyStatLab detect tab switching?
Not on its own. Tab-switch detection comes from proctoring software like Respondus LockDown Browser, which locks the browser to a single window during a test.
What if my exam uses Honorlock or Respondus?
Then webcam and screen activity are being recorded for that specific exam. This is separate from MyStatLab itself and only applies to assignments your instructor has specifically set up with that tool.
Will a sudden jump in my grades get flagged automatically?
MyStatLab does not run automated flagging for score changes. A noticeable jump is the kind of thing an attentive instructor might notice manually, particularly in a smaller class, but it is not something the software itself reports.
Is it safer to hire an expert than to try and manage this myself?
Hiring a real statistics expert solves the actual problem, which is accurate, correctly completed coursework, rather than trying to manage risk yourself. See our MyStatLab help page for details.
Does this apply to MyLab Statistics too?
Yes. MyStatLab and MyLab Statistics are the same Pearson platform under its current and legacy names, and everything on this page applies to both.