by Jarred James Breaux

Created on: August 22, 2009

Cizek identified several common ways in which students cheat. It is cheating when a student looks at another student's test. It is also cheating if a student drops his or her test paper so that others can see it. Also, if a student drops his or her paper, allows another student to pick it up to cheat from it, and then turn it back in, this is cheating. A student may also cheat but writing answers on an eraser and then passing that eraser to another student to cheat off. Students go so far as to develop codes, such as one tap is A, a sneeze is B, and a cough is C. Some students intentionally glance at other student's tests while walking to the teacher to ask a question or to turn in a test. Students may also write notes on tiny pieces of paper and use them during the test. Students will also switch scratch pages with answers during testing. Students might also write answers to test items on the desk, reusable tests, or other items which will be used again for the next class. Some students go so far as to wear shirts with information that gives them hints during a test. Students will also change answers when teachers allow students to grade each other's work. Finally, students may also use forbidden reference material for take-home tests or course work.

There a several strategies teachers use to deter cheating. The most effective cheating prevention strategy is to scramble test items. While the same questions are utilized, they are in different order. Small testing classes as well as having several testing proctors also helps to deter cheating. There are fewer people to watch if the class is smaller and more people are observing. If students miss a test, give them a different make-up. Another way is to have different versions of the test passed out. Providing study guides to students prior to testing also alleviates cheating. Since essay questions are difficult to read and copy from a distance, using more essay questions on a test deters cheating. If students are able to see old test, then they are less likely to stress-out and see cheating as their only option. Before giving a test, the teacher should make sure the right person is taking the right test. In college, the auditorium-style classroom reduces individual contact; thus, making it easy for someone to stand in as someone else. It is also good to give different assignments so that they cannot copy off one another. Similarly, student could be assigned different topics for reports. Using answer booklets which are specially marked and having the students' names on these booklets also reduces cheating in the classroom. Spreading out the students and placing them in specific seats during a test also reduces the chances of cheating. In student papers requiring footnotes, the teacher should always check these references to make sure they are not made-up or copied from someone else. There seems to be debate over issuing more in-class tests as oppose to take-home tests since both methods yield similar results in cheating. By preventing students from taking personal items into the classroom during a test, this reduces the places students can place cheat-sheets or other notes; require that students only bring a pencil to class and nothing else. Having electronic devices with them makes it very easy to cheat. Also, have students take care of any personal business, such as the restroom or phone calls, before the test and do not allow anyone to leave once the test has commenced. Leaving during testing allows students to exit into an uncontrolled environment where they could easily get aid. It has also been suggested that providing an anonymous hotline for students to report classmates for cheating also reduces cheating.

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