give the student good reveiw before the exam. test should have mixed questions. prepare more than one set of exam
Hi Patricia,
We give four exams per module.
The first exam is open book/open notes.Once I have corrected the exam and given the results I address the class. Usually 20% of the class will earn 90 to 100 percent on the test. This allows me the perfect opportunity to talk about cheating in the classroom. The discussion brings an eye opening revelation that there is no substiting for good old fashion studying.
One way that I have tried is to randomly roam around the room, but not feel like a hawk watching the students as they take the exam. The best part about this is that I am giving them their space, but sometimes it benefits because a student may have a question and I am right there to help them.
I believe in scrambling answers in tests or, making them written answer tests will help reduce cheating dramatically.
In anatomy & physiology everyone received the same test ~ individually numbered w/ a corresponding numbered answer sheet. We were told before each exam that anyone caught cheating would fail the exam automatically, and, that the person they were cheating off of would be suspected of allowing/aiding and abetting cheating and would receive a 50% reduction in grade automatically w/out recourse to appeal. NO ONE wanted to bring that kind of injury to the grade of a fellow student, so, no cheating ever took place. It was clearly spelled out for us every time what would happen. Thank goodness it never did!
I also have the students place cell phones on their desk, but I ask them to turn them off and place them upside-down. Then I will walk around the room to make sure they have done this. I feel more comfortable watching from the front of the class. From this vantage point I can see eye-shifting, using their hand to shield their eyes, moving papers closer to their neighbor, etc. Having several versions of the test also helps tremendously.
I have a few ways in which I reduce cheating in my class. For all exams, the students must sit every other chair (luckily, I have had large enough classrooms to accomodate this), to help limit the urge to look at their neighbor's work. In some classes I even create two versions of the test - i.e., having Test A start with multiple choice questions and then Test B starts with essays. And from semester continue to change around the test as well as the questions to ensure that a student has not kept or found a test from previous classes. I try to eliminate this by not letting the students keep the written test, but only their scantron.
Some of the ways I reduce the opportunity for students to cheat are by: 1: stating the rules before the exam. They cannot use cell phones. They cannot take calls during the test.They cannot leave the room during the test. Once they hand the paper in, they cannot have it back. There is to be nothing on their desk but a pen and the test paper; no purses, papers, bags, etc., allowed. There is to be no talking during the exam. I like to walk among them during the test. I also like to give more than one version of a test if I know the class is a cheating type of class. And if I catch someone looking at another students paper, or using cheat notes, I take the paper away and let them know in advance that they are getting a zero for a grade.
i always stand in the back of the room, and I also always make three different sets of tests, works great.
Hi Diane,
Wandering eyes have always been a problem, and I am sure will continue to be a problem. Spread out students as much as possible during a test and let them know and see that they are being watched.
Patricia
Alternate the questions on an examination so students sitting near each other do not have the same order of questions. Ensure students do not sit in close proximity to one another during testing procedures to decrease the temptation of wandering eyes.
1. Establish the rules and penalties up front during the course. Additionally ensure the rules and penatlies are in writting and handed out to all students early in the course.
2. Once a cheater is caught, ensure you as the instructor completely follows through with the consequences aforementioned.
3. Monitor all testing in a vantage point from which you can observe all the students. Thanks
Hi Yowanda,
This is a subtle way to let the cheater know, you need to stop this because obviously cheating did not help. I am sure they get the message quickly without you ever saying a word once they get their test back. Great eye opener for the cheating student.
Patricia
I really enjoy catching a cheater in my class. Because all there answers will be incorrect. I purposely design 3 to 4 different test I just rearrange the test questions by putting them in different order have true and false first, second and third, then scramble the multiple choice. The answer sheet will let you know who actually studied. And the roaming eye will just fail themselves. At least it will wake them up that they will need to study for the exam.
The best way to reduce cheating is to be creative and vigilent! While administering a test, walk around the room. Be aware of wandering eyes. It also helps to state your policy ahead of time. Let students know that if they get caught cheating, they could be dismissed from school and get a zero. It also, doesn't help to give opposite row quizzes and tests.
I stress the importance of the material that they are learning in class is something they will someday have to use in a practical manner in the field.
I have often used a number of test during the testing process. None of the students in the class had the same test.
I ask the students to put their cell phones on my desk. All books and papers are off the desks. I am constantly watching the class from the front of the room and I also stand at times in the back of the room
Hi Sherry,
Very effective and easy to create various versions of a test.
Patricia
Hi Joanne,
Old tactic, but it is certainly effective! I love using essay tests when possible.
Patricia
