Does HackerRank Detect Screen Sharing During Assessments?
2025-10-13
Screen sharing is another thing that makes candidates nervous during HackerRank assessments.
People worry that if they share their screen with another app or device, HackerRank will instantly know and flag them.
Here is what actually happens.
Does HackerRank know if you are screen sharing?
In most standard HackerRank assessments, there is no direct detection of screen sharing.
HackerRank does not have access to your operating system level screen sharing status. It cannot see whether you are sharing your screen over Zoom, Discord, or another external application.
What it can see is what happens inside the browser.
What HackerRank can observe instead
Even though HackerRank cannot see screen sharing directly, it can still observe behavior that often comes along with it, such as:
- The test tab losing focus
- Long pauses in typing
- Sudden changes in coding speed
- Copy paste activity
These indirect signals are what people often confuse with screen sharing detection.
When screen sharing becomes risky
Screen sharing itself is not the problem. The risk comes from how it affects your interaction with the test.
If sharing your screen causes you to frequently switch windows, leave the test tab, or copy solutions from elsewhere, those actions are what get logged.
The platform evaluates patterns, not the presence of a screen share.
Proctored assessments are different
In rare cases where HackerRank enables full proctoring, you will be clearly informed ahead of time.
These assessments may involve webcam monitoring or additional permissions. If screen recording or sharing detection is involved, it will not be hidden from you.
If you are not explicitly told, you are not being secretly monitored at the OS level.
How to reduce unnecessary risk
The safest approach during any assessment is to keep the test tab focused and minimize anything that causes visibility changes.
Many candidates choose tools that let them reason through problems without switching windows or interacting with the browser at all.
StealthCoder is built for exactly this scenario. It runs outside the browser, stays visually separate, and helps you think through solutions while keeping your test environment clean and stable.
Confidence comes from clarity. Knowing what is tracked helps you avoid mistakes that have nothing to do with your actual skill.