No Cheat Zone

To all exam administration bodies:

Volumes of articles and educational material can now be accessed with just a mouse click. Not surprisingly, many of you have begun using the web as a source of test questions and reading passages.

However, there are some students who are highly tech-savvy. They have the ability to use technology in ways that many cannot fathom. As long as tests are being administered, there are also test-takers who use illegal means to obtain answers and a higher mark, using tools ranging from cheat sheets (written on papaer, hands, arms, or legs) to hand signals to "Morse code", the list goes on. Since test makers are now using the web as a source to build tests, test takers have also begun using the web to cheat.

Thanks to current mobile phone technology and wireless networks, one can now gain access to the web from virtually any place in an urban area. This can pose a problem for test administrators, as test takers may use their mobile communication devices to gain answers to tests they are taking. In theory, the use of these devices are not allowed in a testing venue. However, those who are intent to cheat often find creative ways to do so, using a combination of high-tech and old-fashioned methods.

Catching cheaters can be quite difficult, since we need concrete evidence to nab a dishonest test taker. Those who cheat may also know people working on the administration of exams. To combat these problems and more, the following rules have been proposed.

Once an exam paper is drafted, the answer key will be buried at a secret location until after the exam
Print shop workers have to be blindfolded and cannot be allowed to leave while the exam papers are being printed
All test centres will be equipped with radio signal-jamming devices
Instructions will not be announced. Instead, they are imprinted on every desk
Before the test begins, all invigilators have to receive checks so that no one in their contact list is writing an exam at a venue where they will be working
A day before the test takes place, all invigilators are sequestered inside the exam room
The exam papers do not arrive at the test centre until the test takers are allowed to enter the testing venue
The sources of questions and references are available on the test paper. However, they are hidden among the questions and the letters are rearranged
All test takers' belongings, including mobile phones, have to be placed in a common area and checked, similar to a coat check at a theatre—when a test taker enters the test venue, one has to surrender their bags, phones, etc. A numbered tag would be given in exchange for the items. After the test taker completes the test, one can reclaim one's belongings
No shiny object is allowed on or under a desk
All earrings and earpieces have to be removed and in plain view throughout the test
Before a test taker can enter the exam room, one has to show that there is no suspicious markings on their skin. If suspicious markings are found, they have to be covered with duct tape until the exam is over
Before a test taker takes a seat, one has to have one's mouth inspected to ensure that no slips of paper is hidden in the mouth or throat
No food is allowed in the test venue and all beverage containers have to be inspected by invigilators to ensure that there is no writings or markings on them and that the beverage is clear and without residues
All test takers' pockets have to be in plain view. For example, before a test taker takes a seat or leaves a seat, one has to pull all the pockets on their clothing inside-out, in the "there's have nothing in my pockets" stance
When a test taker goes to the washroom, an invigilator will accompany him/her. In addition, the invigilator has to enforce the following rules:
- Two inspector (one male and one female) will inspect the washroom to remove everything written on the bathroom walls and floor before the test begins and will check a bathroom stall after a test taker has finished using it
- Only one test taker (male or female) is allowed to go to the washroom at a time
- The inspectors has possession of all toiletries
- The inspectors will record the amount of time a test taker spends in the washroom
If a test taker raises a hand, do not approach unless the fist is clenched; if a particular finger is raised, the test taker's request can be ignored
A test taker is allowed to stretch under the following guidelines:
- The head can be raised or lower, but not sideways
- A test taker can stretch one's arms, but the arms have to be in front of the test taker at all times
- A test taker can turn one's wrists, provided that they are turning at regular rate and are under the desk
Rhythmic foot taps are forbidden
Immediately after time is called, all test takers have to place their hands behind their backs. They have to assume this position until after an invigilator removes their test paper from the desk
Once all exam papers and answer sheets have been collected, they will be placed in a box and the box will be sealed with wax

We believe these rules are adequate in stopping cheating during open examinations. However, if new methods of cheating are discovered, new rules may be added to remedy the problem.