Exam Security and
Cheating Prevention:
A Guide for Invigilators
January 2011
Danielle C. Istl, LL.M.
Academic Integrity Officer
www.uwindsor.ca/aio
Overview
 Your role
 Cheating on tests
 Senate Policy E3
 Examinations – before, during, and after
 Challenges you may face
 When an offence has occurred
 FAQ / Q & A
When proctoring exams you are . . .
in a position of
trust
a role model
upon whom
others rely
privy to
confidential
information
in a position of
responsibility
Cheating on Tests*
 How to do it
 How to detect it
 How to prevent it
* Gregory J. Cizek, 1999. (Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc., Publishers)
Some cheating methods
 “Taylor’s Troubles” (Tarling, 1985, cited in Cizek)
 Forbidden materials: notes, phones, etc.
 Copying “formation”
 Bathroom breaks
 Circumventing the testing process
 Tampering after the fact
 Leaving paper(s) behind
 Not turning in the test
 Impersonation
 Info from previous test taker
 Access to exam / text bank / manual in advance
Prevention
 Key: diligent invigilation
 Armstrong & Miller: Exam Hall Sketch 1
Exam security before writing
 Exams should not be saved on computers in your
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office: only at home or on the Univ. J Drive.
Encrypt exams.
Exams should not be kept in your office at any time.
Ideally, make-up exams should not be the same.
Verify medical notes where a student is seeking a
make-up exam.
Have students sign a confidentiality or honesty
statement.
Senate Policy E3: the finer points
 Setting up the room
 Admitting students
 While the exam is in progress (challenges)
 Student conduct during the exam
 Emergency procedures
 Ending the exam
 Appendix A: Guidelines to Control Cheating
Setting up the room
 Arrive 15 minutes early.
 Initial blank answer books (ideally).
 Set out exam papers and answer books.
 Why this may be problematic
 Preferable if have numbers or names already on the exams
Admitting students
 5 minutes before exam begins
 Or earlier if time needed to verify authorized

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
materials
Check ID upon entry
If no UW picture ID, no admission
Cannot leave room without permission
30 minute rule


Can’t leave in first 30 minutes
Can’t enter after first 30 minutes
Challenges You May Face
Meet Ted, a
new proctor
Ted’s First Dilemma
THE TENSE TEST TAKER
The Scene: Erie Hall
The Time: Midterms in October
Ce teste est difficile!
I’ll ask that proctor who
knows a bunch of
languages to give me this
answer.
Il est vraiment intelligent
. . . et il aime aider les
etudiants.
What has Ted done wrong?
 A. He failed to help the struggling student.
 B. He approached the student during the exam.
 C. He spoke to the student in French.
 D. He ate french fries.
 E. Nothing. (Ted is a good guy!!)
Fine!!
Je vais trouver quelqu’un d’autre pour m’aider,
you loser!
RRRRRRRRR !!!!!!
What should Ted do now?
 A. Call the Dean immediately!
 B. Nothing, because it’s between the student and
the other proctor.
 C. Check the student’s test for signs of assistance.
 D. Talk to the professor.
While the exam is in progress
 Examination books (para. 1.3.1)
 Signature list / ID cards (1.3.2)
 Role of invigilator (1.3.3)
 Actively assist
Checking ID / having students sign in
 Circulating around the room

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Devote complete attention to the task
Ensure students’ needs are promptly met
Find out what professor wants re assisting students with
substantive questions
Student conduct during the exam
 Present Uwin ID
 Abide by any special instructions
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(e.g., seating)
No receiving / giving assistance
No removing staples
All communication in language
of instruction
No unauthorized aids

Professor/proctors need to be explicit
Student conduct contd.
 All electronic devices off and stored
 How to verify
 Backpacks and other articles away from desk
 Risk of theft / what to do?
 No eating; water/soft drinks okay
 Raise hand to leave
 Must be accompanied by proctor => washroom
 Can write a note to report cheating
Ted’s Second Dilemma
THE ONLOOKERS
The Scene: The Education Gym
The Time: Final Exams in December
Ted sees this girl
consulting a book
she pulled out of
her bag.
Ted sees this guy
looking at his
neighbour’s paper.
Neither student is
writing the exam
Ted is proctoring.
What should Ted do?
 A. Stare the students down.
 B. Find another proctor to assist.
 C. Take the students’ exams and send them out.
 D. Announce that two people have been caught
cheating.
 E. Take the book from the girl and move the guy.
 F. Write down the students’ names and numbers.
 G. Nothing. They’re not Ted’s students.
Make a
detailed
record
Report it
Collect all
evidence
Get
another
witness if
you can
If you
suspect
or detect
cheating
Avoid
distracting
others
Take
exam
& provide
another
Move the
student
What to do if you’re uncertain
 Consult the appropriate policy.
 Speak to the professor for whom you are working.
 Contact the Dept. Head or Associate Dean.
 Seek advice from the AIO.
 BEST PRACTICE: Know in advance what to do.
What Not to Do
 Think “It’s no big deal.”
 Remain silent.
 Decide “It’s not worth
it.”
 Assist a student in
cheating.
 Take chances.
Emergency Procedures
 Fire alarms / Evacuation
 Inform candidates
 Collect valuables (if safe to do so)
 Inform students: EXAM CONDITIONS REMAIN IN FORCE

Make notes of any problematic behaviour
 Medical issues
 Outcome
 Report to Dean
 Professor determines whether exam results acceptable
 Dean determines whether exam to be rescheduled
Ending the exam
 15 minute / 5 minute announcements
 All writing ends when end of exam called
 Penalty: downward adjustment of grade
 In seats until all exams collected
 All answer books must be numbered
 Sign out, if required
 “Exam Q paper belongs to the candidate unless
otherwise stated”
 When all students gone, check room
 Guidelines to Control Cheating
 See Appendix A
 Technological Challenges
 “Cheating on Tests” – YouTube videos online
 Pen Scanner (IRISPen)
 Wireless ear implants
 Texting, cell phones, smartphones, etc.
Ted’s Third Dilemma
THE TAKE HOME EXAM
The Scene: Leddy Library
The Time: Second last day of exams
Here’s the
answer to
Question #2
right here.
I don’t think
that’s right. I
know a better
place we can
look.
Why go to all
that trouble?
This looks terrific.
Let’s use it.
What should Ted have done?
 A. Gone to this session.
 B. Approached the students.
 C. Followed the students surreptitiously
throughout the library.
 D. Given them a few ideas. It’s not a formal exam
(and Ted’s a nice guy)!
 E. He was right to do nothing. Ever heard of
collaborative learning?
Ted’s Fourth Dilemma
THE MULTIPLE-CHOICE MISFIT
The Scene: Outside Dillon Hall
The Time: April after an exam
Ted!!
Over here!! It’s Maria!
Do you have a second?
I’ve got a favour to ask
you.
Hi
Maria!
It’s just a few answers on the
multiple choice final. It’s the
only way I can keep my
scholarship. If I lose it, my
parents will kill me and I’ll
have to drop out of school!
C’mon. No one will know. I’ll
even pay you if you want.
Okay,
okay.
But just
this once.
What could happen to Ted?
 A. Nothing. No one will ever know.
 B. Maria might go out with him.
 C. Ted could be suspended.
 D. Ted could be expelled.
 E. Ted could lose his proctor job.
 F. Ted could spend the rest of his life making
Scantron sheets.
Your Dual Role
STUDENT
GA, TA, or
Proctor
EMPLOYEE
Students’ Obligation Under Bylaw 31
To refrain from engaging in “actions that
demonstrate a lack of integrity defined as a
lack of adherence to this University’s bylaws
and policies . . .”
True Story: Case #08/09-12
 GA proctoring exam
 Evidence of misconduct: talking to and signaling
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answers to student
At least one other GA saw it
Student witness writing exam reported it
Other GA reluctantly reported it when asked
Disciplinary process (undefended)
Two-year suspension / lost GA job
FAQ
 What if I report the misconduct and the professor
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does not do anything?
What if a student challenges what I tell him/her to
do?
What about retaliation from fellow proctors if I
report a proctor?
What if I don’t have the time to get involved in a
misconduct case?
What if I am proctoring in the Student Disability
Services office?
Other exam-related procedures in Policy E3
 Students wearing facial scarves
 Appendix B
 Pre-approved prayer time during an exam
 Paragraph 4.8
Ted’s Final Dilemma
Exam Security
or “Where are the exams?”
The Scene: Everywhere (unfortunately)
The Time: Day of the exam in April
1. Picks up exams
2. Stops for lunch.
6. Has to leave for work.
5. Falls asleep.
7. Gives exams to Joe
to finish marking …
8. …who delivers them
to the head GA ...
3. Writes his own exam.
4. Goes home to mark
for awhile.
9. ...who delivers them
to the professor.
After the exam
 Preserve the integrity of the exam.
 NEVER leave exams unattended.
 Remain on campus in a secure place.
 Maintain continuity of possession.
 Do not provide access to the exams to anyone.
Grading quizzes/exams
 Put yourself in the students’ shoes.
 Set aside adequate time.
 Do not delegate the task without the professor’s
permission.
 Speak to the professor if you encounter problems or
have questions.
 Do not share the papers with anyone.
When an offence has occurred
1. You must report the misconduct to the professor
who may meet with the student.
2. The professor may file a complaint with the Senate Secretariat
and the complaint will be sent to the Associate Dean.
3. The Associate Dean will meet with the student and either
dismiss the complaint or send it to the AIO for further investigation.
4. After further investigation, the AIO will either (1) dismiss the complaint,
(2) return it to the Associate Dean for sanctioning,
(3) forward it the Vice-Provost for sanctioning, or
(4) refer it to a Judicial Panel for a hearing.
.
What may be required of you
 Write a detailed statement of everything you
know/witnessed.
 Meet with the AIO upon request.
 Prepare to give evidence at a hearing, if necessary.
 This is all part of your job.
Why is all of this important?
 maintains academic integrity on campus
 sends a strong message:
 “We care about academic integrity.”
 builds trust and confidence
 strengthens the value of all UW degrees
 lends credibility to your role in the teaching and
learning process
How to Reach Me
 Office: 201/203 Assumption Univ. Bldg.
 Phone: 253-3000 ext. 3929
 Email: istld@uwindsor.ca
 Web:
www.uwindsor.ca/aio
• G.A.s and T.A.s link
• “Information for Students” link
• “Information for Faculty” link
One more ??
 Armstrong & Miller: Exam Hall Sketch 2
THE END. GOOD LUCK!
HAVE A SUCCESSFUL YEAR!