I like to use four different tests with different answer keys, same questions different order, so a student never knows which test he is looking at.
I think first and foremost, you must make it clear to students, what you consider to be cheating. Provide them a list of items and be sure that they understand what constitutes plagiarism. I would also suggest the following:
Monitor Exams- walk around the room
Prohibit communication during exams
Number exams and use a sign in sheet, count the number of exams handed out and returned to avoid theft of exams
Prohibit students leaving the classroom during exams
Require written excuses for makeup work or extensions and verify them
Have a specific makeup policy that you give to students day one of the course
Pick a Makeup exam day where all makeups will be given, that way you can proctor your makeup exams
Put space between students if possible
Have student clear their desk or if you are only giving a test that day, do not allow other materials into the room
Require students write in pen
Create multiple versions of an exam- use different colored paper for printing test
Place multiple choice and T/F questions at the end of the page so that they are harder to copy
Change exams often- every quarter if possible
Photocopy graded test before passing them back to students
Mark wrong answers with a X or slash through the answer choice
Hi Aminta,
Students knowing that they are being watched will deter most students from cheating.
Patricia
group testing essay testing hands on testing
Thank you, I have found that doing this for about 3 minutes while I am walking around the room, makes anyone wanting to cheat to think of it again. If I see something different on a studetn ,I walk approaching the person.
These clues help, just like you said.
Hi Aminta,
You are right, there are signals given when one wants to chat, such as looking for you, looking at the ceiling as if they are thinking, looking in space, etc.
Patricia
Hi Jill,
I agree totally. I am all over the room during test time, and students are used to my mobileness during test time. Cheating attempts have been minimal for me as well.
Patricia
by having different sets of questions randomly organized. No test will be in the same order.
I have tried both standing in the back of the room and walking around during tests. I find that a combination of both to be helpful and not intimidating. With nothing allowed on the desks and 1,2,or 3 versions of the test being announced, attempts to cheat seem to be very minimal.
I agree to this as well. Leting them know you are there, monitoring at all times is crucial.
Standing for a while in the back of the room can allow you to see who is nervous and looking at where you are...this maybe clues that someone wants to cheat.
Hi Jean-rene,
I understand your perspective. How practical are open book tests? When a student sits for any type of certification exam, the test is not open book.
Patricia
Hi Marc,
Great ways to minimize cheating. Don't forget to have the students remove their water bottles as well.
Patricia
Use different test formats rearrange pages on exams . Seat students in differnt positions , collect all mobile phones.
For avoiding students cheating, exemple for quizzes I give them some key words or We call that "open book" test with limited time. All of the students learn better, like this I am sure they know the topic.
A hands on performance based test can't really be cheated on. The student either performs the tasks or not.
Traditional pen on paper tests have a hierarchy of chicanery, The written response is the hardest to cheat at, also the hardest to grade. Multiple choice tests should have multiple versions, as they are easy to cheat on.
Observation is the best deterrent, control allows the observation. Most cheating is just flat out asking the other student a question, quietly of course. If you allow the students to ask you questions about the test questions, If you allow movement, bathroom breaks, bottles and books on the table, cell phones out or any other distraction you invite cheating. When the students are finished with the test don't allow any whispering or talking even if everybody but one student is through. The first thing they will talk about is the test, the unfinished student can't help but listen.
I find that with the content that I teach that essay tests are most effective not only with content but with cheating as well. It is very difficult to cehat from someone elses essay response.
I have used multiple forms and to have student completely clear their desks, not even a drink bottle can be on the desk during an exam.
I also will use the A, B, C test forms when I feel it is needed. For project work, I alternate assignments from term to term (three or four variations) so that the students cannot just get a previous students' work and imitate it. We are a small school, and that could easily happen. I try to be very proactive in reducing opportunity.
Hi B.,
There is a website turnitin.com that will let you know if a paper has been plagarized. This is a great tool to detect plagarism.
Patricia
