Is having access to past exams cheating and, if yes, could it be proven just by a good grade?Is there any way...
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Is having access to past exams cheating and, if yes, could it be proven just by a good grade?
Is there any way to detect high tech (e.g. cell-phone assisted) academic dishonesty?Are professors allowed to accuse someone of cheating based on a general increase in test scores?i was caught cheating in my exam, I know it's wrong and I know I'm not stupid, it's just that how should I deal with it?How to handle an obsession about being 100% academically honestIs looking up the source of tests and using those to practice considered cheating?Student caught cheating when leaving class after handing me the examSlept through final, professor is giving me a zero and failing me – is there anything I can do to change this?What to do if I have seen an exam before I have taken it?Should I be worried of being accused of cheating?I got caught writing my student ID number after the end of the exam. Will I get in trouble?
I studied for three weeks straight for an exam because I was really anxious to pass it with a high grade, while everyone else didn’t study much. Now the problem is, I had access to the exam from the previous year because someone gave it to me. I don’t know where this person got this exam, but I think it was made public after he completed his exam. The thing is I don’t know if I was allowed to have them or not.
Now the exam is over and I didn’t receive my grade while everyone else received it. The average grade for the exam is approximately 50%. Now my professor wants me to see him in his office about the exam, but doesn’t tell me why. The only explanation I can think of would be cheating. My guess is that I scored way higher than everyone else and now I’m kind of panicking.
It’s also important to note that on the exam, half of the questions were very similar as the one from previous year and that no material was allowed during the exam, so I could not have looked at it while doing the exam. Also, I have a high GPA, so it’s not implausible for me to have good grades.
Do you think I could get in trouble for having access to past exams even if there’s no way someone could know I had access to them? And is it really considered cheating?
exams cheating
New contributor
add a comment |
I studied for three weeks straight for an exam because I was really anxious to pass it with a high grade, while everyone else didn’t study much. Now the problem is, I had access to the exam from the previous year because someone gave it to me. I don’t know where this person got this exam, but I think it was made public after he completed his exam. The thing is I don’t know if I was allowed to have them or not.
Now the exam is over and I didn’t receive my grade while everyone else received it. The average grade for the exam is approximately 50%. Now my professor wants me to see him in his office about the exam, but doesn’t tell me why. The only explanation I can think of would be cheating. My guess is that I scored way higher than everyone else and now I’m kind of panicking.
It’s also important to note that on the exam, half of the questions were very similar as the one from previous year and that no material was allowed during the exam, so I could not have looked at it while doing the exam. Also, I have a high GPA, so it’s not implausible for me to have good grades.
Do you think I could get in trouble for having access to past exams even if there’s no way someone could know I had access to them? And is it really considered cheating?
exams cheating
New contributor
add a comment |
I studied for three weeks straight for an exam because I was really anxious to pass it with a high grade, while everyone else didn’t study much. Now the problem is, I had access to the exam from the previous year because someone gave it to me. I don’t know where this person got this exam, but I think it was made public after he completed his exam. The thing is I don’t know if I was allowed to have them or not.
Now the exam is over and I didn’t receive my grade while everyone else received it. The average grade for the exam is approximately 50%. Now my professor wants me to see him in his office about the exam, but doesn’t tell me why. The only explanation I can think of would be cheating. My guess is that I scored way higher than everyone else and now I’m kind of panicking.
It’s also important to note that on the exam, half of the questions were very similar as the one from previous year and that no material was allowed during the exam, so I could not have looked at it while doing the exam. Also, I have a high GPA, so it’s not implausible for me to have good grades.
Do you think I could get in trouble for having access to past exams even if there’s no way someone could know I had access to them? And is it really considered cheating?
exams cheating
New contributor
I studied for three weeks straight for an exam because I was really anxious to pass it with a high grade, while everyone else didn’t study much. Now the problem is, I had access to the exam from the previous year because someone gave it to me. I don’t know where this person got this exam, but I think it was made public after he completed his exam. The thing is I don’t know if I was allowed to have them or not.
Now the exam is over and I didn’t receive my grade while everyone else received it. The average grade for the exam is approximately 50%. Now my professor wants me to see him in his office about the exam, but doesn’t tell me why. The only explanation I can think of would be cheating. My guess is that I scored way higher than everyone else and now I’m kind of panicking.
It’s also important to note that on the exam, half of the questions were very similar as the one from previous year and that no material was allowed during the exam, so I could not have looked at it while doing the exam. Also, I have a high GPA, so it’s not implausible for me to have good grades.
Do you think I could get in trouble for having access to past exams even if there’s no way someone could know I had access to them? And is it really considered cheating?
exams cheating
exams cheating
New contributor
New contributor
edited 54 mins ago
Wrzlprmft♦
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asked 2 hours ago
throwaway1805throwaway1805
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2 Answers
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Yes, if you saw a copy of an exam that was not released, you could be in trouble, and it is a form of cheating.
If it was released to the class, then there is no issue.
How likely the professor is to accept your explanation you thought it was OK to look at depends on a number of factors. Does their syllabus say whether they release their tests? Have previous tests in this class been released publicly?
Well I think it was released, but I am not sure. It was the first exam for this class, so I don't have any previous exam to know if they release the exam publicly.
– throwaway1805
2 hours ago
Read your syllabus. Ask your friend. Are the tests posted on the prof's website? Check Rate my Prof to see if anyone mentions released exams. Find out if you were supposed to have it or not.
– Azor Ahai
2 hours ago
1
If an exam was given in a previous year you can assume that it was, in some sense, published. Wise professors should assume that the questions are known. It is foolish to assume otherwise. If students are sworn to secrecy on how they are tested, then it is students from prior years who have cheated. I can accept this if "exam that was not released" means only that it was never given previously, nor published in any venue in any form.
– Buffy
1 hour ago
1
@Buffy I have had some professors who release their exams as a matter of course, and I have others who only let you see your exams in their office and you can't take it with you. Without more detail on the culture/field, we really have no idea what the expectations are for this student. I didn't mean to suggest the student knowingly cheated; but they should know what the expectations are before going into the meeting. I agree a prof who assumes their questions are 100% secret is a bit naive.
– Azor Ahai
35 mins ago
add a comment |
You haven't said whether you were actually accused or not. I'm assuming that you are just worried about what might happen in the meeting that hasn't happened yet.
The most honest way to proceed, though you may suffer for it, is to tell it exactly like it happened. You studied three weeks, you had access to old exam materials and used those to prepare. All you had in the exam was your memory and your skills. You had no knowledge of any question to be asked on this exam.
If the professor thinks you cheated, then s/he is very naive about how the world works. Student fraternities typically keep records of old exams and students study from them. If the professor uses old questions they should expect that those questions are available.
You might be asked for the source of the materials and you would be unwise to conceal them and might face larger issues if you try.
As the answer of Azor Ahai suggests, make sure that what you did isn't explicitly forbidden by available course materials. But I don't really see a way in which requirements could be stated that really disallow such a practice. It would be completely unenforceable. Doing well is not a crime. Studying hard is not a crime.
If your professor disagrees and wants to punish you, I'd suggest taking it to a department head or dean, again explaining exactly what you did and how.
If you suffer for honesty, then it is deeply unfair.
add a comment |
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2 Answers
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2 Answers
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Yes, if you saw a copy of an exam that was not released, you could be in trouble, and it is a form of cheating.
If it was released to the class, then there is no issue.
How likely the professor is to accept your explanation you thought it was OK to look at depends on a number of factors. Does their syllabus say whether they release their tests? Have previous tests in this class been released publicly?
Well I think it was released, but I am not sure. It was the first exam for this class, so I don't have any previous exam to know if they release the exam publicly.
– throwaway1805
2 hours ago
Read your syllabus. Ask your friend. Are the tests posted on the prof's website? Check Rate my Prof to see if anyone mentions released exams. Find out if you were supposed to have it or not.
– Azor Ahai
2 hours ago
1
If an exam was given in a previous year you can assume that it was, in some sense, published. Wise professors should assume that the questions are known. It is foolish to assume otherwise. If students are sworn to secrecy on how they are tested, then it is students from prior years who have cheated. I can accept this if "exam that was not released" means only that it was never given previously, nor published in any venue in any form.
– Buffy
1 hour ago
1
@Buffy I have had some professors who release their exams as a matter of course, and I have others who only let you see your exams in their office and you can't take it with you. Without more detail on the culture/field, we really have no idea what the expectations are for this student. I didn't mean to suggest the student knowingly cheated; but they should know what the expectations are before going into the meeting. I agree a prof who assumes their questions are 100% secret is a bit naive.
– Azor Ahai
35 mins ago
add a comment |
Yes, if you saw a copy of an exam that was not released, you could be in trouble, and it is a form of cheating.
If it was released to the class, then there is no issue.
How likely the professor is to accept your explanation you thought it was OK to look at depends on a number of factors. Does their syllabus say whether they release their tests? Have previous tests in this class been released publicly?
Well I think it was released, but I am not sure. It was the first exam for this class, so I don't have any previous exam to know if they release the exam publicly.
– throwaway1805
2 hours ago
Read your syllabus. Ask your friend. Are the tests posted on the prof's website? Check Rate my Prof to see if anyone mentions released exams. Find out if you were supposed to have it or not.
– Azor Ahai
2 hours ago
1
If an exam was given in a previous year you can assume that it was, in some sense, published. Wise professors should assume that the questions are known. It is foolish to assume otherwise. If students are sworn to secrecy on how they are tested, then it is students from prior years who have cheated. I can accept this if "exam that was not released" means only that it was never given previously, nor published in any venue in any form.
– Buffy
1 hour ago
1
@Buffy I have had some professors who release their exams as a matter of course, and I have others who only let you see your exams in their office and you can't take it with you. Without more detail on the culture/field, we really have no idea what the expectations are for this student. I didn't mean to suggest the student knowingly cheated; but they should know what the expectations are before going into the meeting. I agree a prof who assumes their questions are 100% secret is a bit naive.
– Azor Ahai
35 mins ago
add a comment |
Yes, if you saw a copy of an exam that was not released, you could be in trouble, and it is a form of cheating.
If it was released to the class, then there is no issue.
How likely the professor is to accept your explanation you thought it was OK to look at depends on a number of factors. Does their syllabus say whether they release their tests? Have previous tests in this class been released publicly?
Yes, if you saw a copy of an exam that was not released, you could be in trouble, and it is a form of cheating.
If it was released to the class, then there is no issue.
How likely the professor is to accept your explanation you thought it was OK to look at depends on a number of factors. Does their syllabus say whether they release their tests? Have previous tests in this class been released publicly?
answered 2 hours ago
Azor AhaiAzor Ahai
4,49411840
4,49411840
Well I think it was released, but I am not sure. It was the first exam for this class, so I don't have any previous exam to know if they release the exam publicly.
– throwaway1805
2 hours ago
Read your syllabus. Ask your friend. Are the tests posted on the prof's website? Check Rate my Prof to see if anyone mentions released exams. Find out if you were supposed to have it or not.
– Azor Ahai
2 hours ago
1
If an exam was given in a previous year you can assume that it was, in some sense, published. Wise professors should assume that the questions are known. It is foolish to assume otherwise. If students are sworn to secrecy on how they are tested, then it is students from prior years who have cheated. I can accept this if "exam that was not released" means only that it was never given previously, nor published in any venue in any form.
– Buffy
1 hour ago
1
@Buffy I have had some professors who release their exams as a matter of course, and I have others who only let you see your exams in their office and you can't take it with you. Without more detail on the culture/field, we really have no idea what the expectations are for this student. I didn't mean to suggest the student knowingly cheated; but they should know what the expectations are before going into the meeting. I agree a prof who assumes their questions are 100% secret is a bit naive.
– Azor Ahai
35 mins ago
add a comment |
Well I think it was released, but I am not sure. It was the first exam for this class, so I don't have any previous exam to know if they release the exam publicly.
– throwaway1805
2 hours ago
Read your syllabus. Ask your friend. Are the tests posted on the prof's website? Check Rate my Prof to see if anyone mentions released exams. Find out if you were supposed to have it or not.
– Azor Ahai
2 hours ago
1
If an exam was given in a previous year you can assume that it was, in some sense, published. Wise professors should assume that the questions are known. It is foolish to assume otherwise. If students are sworn to secrecy on how they are tested, then it is students from prior years who have cheated. I can accept this if "exam that was not released" means only that it was never given previously, nor published in any venue in any form.
– Buffy
1 hour ago
1
@Buffy I have had some professors who release their exams as a matter of course, and I have others who only let you see your exams in their office and you can't take it with you. Without more detail on the culture/field, we really have no idea what the expectations are for this student. I didn't mean to suggest the student knowingly cheated; but they should know what the expectations are before going into the meeting. I agree a prof who assumes their questions are 100% secret is a bit naive.
– Azor Ahai
35 mins ago
Well I think it was released, but I am not sure. It was the first exam for this class, so I don't have any previous exam to know if they release the exam publicly.
– throwaway1805
2 hours ago
Well I think it was released, but I am not sure. It was the first exam for this class, so I don't have any previous exam to know if they release the exam publicly.
– throwaway1805
2 hours ago
Read your syllabus. Ask your friend. Are the tests posted on the prof's website? Check Rate my Prof to see if anyone mentions released exams. Find out if you were supposed to have it or not.
– Azor Ahai
2 hours ago
Read your syllabus. Ask your friend. Are the tests posted on the prof's website? Check Rate my Prof to see if anyone mentions released exams. Find out if you were supposed to have it or not.
– Azor Ahai
2 hours ago
1
1
If an exam was given in a previous year you can assume that it was, in some sense, published. Wise professors should assume that the questions are known. It is foolish to assume otherwise. If students are sworn to secrecy on how they are tested, then it is students from prior years who have cheated. I can accept this if "exam that was not released" means only that it was never given previously, nor published in any venue in any form.
– Buffy
1 hour ago
If an exam was given in a previous year you can assume that it was, in some sense, published. Wise professors should assume that the questions are known. It is foolish to assume otherwise. If students are sworn to secrecy on how they are tested, then it is students from prior years who have cheated. I can accept this if "exam that was not released" means only that it was never given previously, nor published in any venue in any form.
– Buffy
1 hour ago
1
1
@Buffy I have had some professors who release their exams as a matter of course, and I have others who only let you see your exams in their office and you can't take it with you. Without more detail on the culture/field, we really have no idea what the expectations are for this student. I didn't mean to suggest the student knowingly cheated; but they should know what the expectations are before going into the meeting. I agree a prof who assumes their questions are 100% secret is a bit naive.
– Azor Ahai
35 mins ago
@Buffy I have had some professors who release their exams as a matter of course, and I have others who only let you see your exams in their office and you can't take it with you. Without more detail on the culture/field, we really have no idea what the expectations are for this student. I didn't mean to suggest the student knowingly cheated; but they should know what the expectations are before going into the meeting. I agree a prof who assumes their questions are 100% secret is a bit naive.
– Azor Ahai
35 mins ago
add a comment |
You haven't said whether you were actually accused or not. I'm assuming that you are just worried about what might happen in the meeting that hasn't happened yet.
The most honest way to proceed, though you may suffer for it, is to tell it exactly like it happened. You studied three weeks, you had access to old exam materials and used those to prepare. All you had in the exam was your memory and your skills. You had no knowledge of any question to be asked on this exam.
If the professor thinks you cheated, then s/he is very naive about how the world works. Student fraternities typically keep records of old exams and students study from them. If the professor uses old questions they should expect that those questions are available.
You might be asked for the source of the materials and you would be unwise to conceal them and might face larger issues if you try.
As the answer of Azor Ahai suggests, make sure that what you did isn't explicitly forbidden by available course materials. But I don't really see a way in which requirements could be stated that really disallow such a practice. It would be completely unenforceable. Doing well is not a crime. Studying hard is not a crime.
If your professor disagrees and wants to punish you, I'd suggest taking it to a department head or dean, again explaining exactly what you did and how.
If you suffer for honesty, then it is deeply unfair.
add a comment |
You haven't said whether you were actually accused or not. I'm assuming that you are just worried about what might happen in the meeting that hasn't happened yet.
The most honest way to proceed, though you may suffer for it, is to tell it exactly like it happened. You studied three weeks, you had access to old exam materials and used those to prepare. All you had in the exam was your memory and your skills. You had no knowledge of any question to be asked on this exam.
If the professor thinks you cheated, then s/he is very naive about how the world works. Student fraternities typically keep records of old exams and students study from them. If the professor uses old questions they should expect that those questions are available.
You might be asked for the source of the materials and you would be unwise to conceal them and might face larger issues if you try.
As the answer of Azor Ahai suggests, make sure that what you did isn't explicitly forbidden by available course materials. But I don't really see a way in which requirements could be stated that really disallow such a practice. It would be completely unenforceable. Doing well is not a crime. Studying hard is not a crime.
If your professor disagrees and wants to punish you, I'd suggest taking it to a department head or dean, again explaining exactly what you did and how.
If you suffer for honesty, then it is deeply unfair.
add a comment |
You haven't said whether you were actually accused or not. I'm assuming that you are just worried about what might happen in the meeting that hasn't happened yet.
The most honest way to proceed, though you may suffer for it, is to tell it exactly like it happened. You studied three weeks, you had access to old exam materials and used those to prepare. All you had in the exam was your memory and your skills. You had no knowledge of any question to be asked on this exam.
If the professor thinks you cheated, then s/he is very naive about how the world works. Student fraternities typically keep records of old exams and students study from them. If the professor uses old questions they should expect that those questions are available.
You might be asked for the source of the materials and you would be unwise to conceal them and might face larger issues if you try.
As the answer of Azor Ahai suggests, make sure that what you did isn't explicitly forbidden by available course materials. But I don't really see a way in which requirements could be stated that really disallow such a practice. It would be completely unenforceable. Doing well is not a crime. Studying hard is not a crime.
If your professor disagrees and wants to punish you, I'd suggest taking it to a department head or dean, again explaining exactly what you did and how.
If you suffer for honesty, then it is deeply unfair.
You haven't said whether you were actually accused or not. I'm assuming that you are just worried about what might happen in the meeting that hasn't happened yet.
The most honest way to proceed, though you may suffer for it, is to tell it exactly like it happened. You studied three weeks, you had access to old exam materials and used those to prepare. All you had in the exam was your memory and your skills. You had no knowledge of any question to be asked on this exam.
If the professor thinks you cheated, then s/he is very naive about how the world works. Student fraternities typically keep records of old exams and students study from them. If the professor uses old questions they should expect that those questions are available.
You might be asked for the source of the materials and you would be unwise to conceal them and might face larger issues if you try.
As the answer of Azor Ahai suggests, make sure that what you did isn't explicitly forbidden by available course materials. But I don't really see a way in which requirements could be stated that really disallow such a practice. It would be completely unenforceable. Doing well is not a crime. Studying hard is not a crime.
If your professor disagrees and wants to punish you, I'd suggest taking it to a department head or dean, again explaining exactly what you did and how.
If you suffer for honesty, then it is deeply unfair.
answered 1 hour ago
BuffyBuffy
51.8k14166257
51.8k14166257
add a comment |
add a comment |
throwaway1805 is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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