Inventive Ways A Student Can Cheat on a Test
I am never surprised when a student shows a new way to cheat on a test. I usually shake my head and wonder why couldn't that student have used their creativity in a more positive way. Some of the techniques cheaters use have been well thought out. Especially, if there are several students in one class working together on cheating, it may take the instructor longer to realize what the students are doing.
A student was caught with all the answeres to the terminology exam writtten in fine print on three pencils.She kept changing pencils during the exam and was noticed squinting to read the fine print. Genius!! They should put as much time into studying the material for an exam as they do in finding "innovative" ways to cheat.
Hi Eric:
That is a new one for me after 21 years in the classroom! I often have 30-50 question exams, so i am not sure that is practical. I allow calcualtors in my accounting and math courses, but am very leery of cell phone calculators, PDA's and such. I insist on a calculator to inhibit (I hope) cheating.
John
Hi Eric,
Students put in a lot of time, energy, and effort coming up with ways to cheat. They need to use these practices with studying!!!!
Patricia
Hi Eric,
Wow, just when I thought I heard it all. They need to put all this time into studying for the test verses thinking of ways to cheat.
Patricia
I have discovered students cheating by tapping their pencils on the table during multiple choice tests. If a student taps the pencil four times, then pauses, and then taps twice, that would indicate to another student that number four is "B".
Hi Aaron,
I've discovered this as well. I've implemented the same rules. Students try to be extremely clever/wise when it comes to cheating.
Patricia
Agreed, The students work area must be cleared before a test. I also wont let them get out any material after a test untill after the test has been reviewed. I have found that sometimes they will copy down the answers after the test was graded to provide their peers with information.
Hello Christine,
I like it. I never thought about the water bottle labels. Thanks for the headsup. At my institution students can not have visible bottles.
Patricia
Students will write answers on the lables of water bottles and text answers on cell phones. Make sure desks are clear and cell phones are away. Anyone with a cell phone out during an exam receives an automatic "F".
Hi Diana,
Cheaters never cease to amaze me. I am like you, the time and effort they put into scheming in order to cheat, they could have used that time to prepare for the test.
Patricia
