Examination malpractice has become a major source of concern in Nigeria. It has put a question mark on the integrity of our educational systems and indeed the examination processes.
Many forms of examination malpractice can be identified. Seventeen (17) of them are identified here.
- Impersonation (writing on behalf of another student)
- Smuggling of prepared answer scripts into the examination hall
- Taking hand written materials to the examination hall
- External Assistance
- Copying or dubbing from another student During Examination
- Collusion or collaboration in order to cheat
- Giraffe or extending of neck to copy from others
- Use of Phones
- Exchange of answer scripts among students
- Examination Leakage
- Aiding of students by lecturers
- Bribery to invigilators
- Inscription or Tattoo
We shall discuss each form of examination malpractice identified above briefly.
Impersonation
One well-known form of examination malpractice is impersonation. This is an act of a person pretending to be another person for the purpose of helping that person write an examination.
The reason why this form of examination malpractice is rampant in Nigeria is because of low technological advancement. Finger prints are not taking during registration for an examination and when the examination is actually being taken.
Smuggling of Prepared Answer Scripts to the Examination Hall.
Another form of examination malpractice is the bringing of already prepared answer sheets into the examination. On entering the hall, this is then exchanged with the answer sheet shared by invigilators. This is made possible where the examination had leaked and in collaboration with the teachers/invigilators.
Taking Handwritten Materials to Examination Hall
This is closely related to smuggling of prepared answer script to the examination hall. This is a situation where points or formulae on some expected areas where questions will be asked are jotted down on pieces of paper and smuggled into the hall.
External Assistance
This form of examination malpractice is normal in examinations like Entrance Examinations. In this type of examination malpractice, it is actually the invigilators and even parents that attempt to rescue students who do not prepare very well for the examination. Sometimes, invigilators are given money in order for them to cooperate.
Copying or dubbing from another student During Examination
This is a general form of examination malpractice. It is common in in all tiers of our educational system: primary, secondary and tertiary institutions. Students who do not prepare well for an examination end up copying from their classmates or friends as the case may be.
Collusion or collaboration in order to cheat
This form of examination malpractice is very common during external examinations such as West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) and National Examination Council (NECO) Examinations. It involves virtually every student in the examination hall.
In this case, the students in collaboration with their teachers pass answers to questions already solved by their teachers round to students. Sometimes, these questions are photocopied and shared round.
Giraffe or extending of neck to copy from others
Giraffe, as a means of examination malpractice, involves a student stretching his neck to copy the work of another student. It does not involve direct sharing of answer scripts.
Use of Phones
Some students smuggle their phones into the examination hall. They browse the questions asked from their phones and the answers the phones give is copied to their answer script.
Exchange of answer scripts among students
This form of examination malpractice is closely related to copying or dubbing. It involves 2 students sharing their answer script. With a supposed brighter student giving his/her script to another to copy her work or answer to a specific question.
Examination Leakage
Examination leakage is a system of examination malpractice where students have access to the question paper some days before the day of examination. Students then study the questions and possible answers before going to the examination hall. In some cases, the students will prepare the answers and smuggle into the hall.
Aiding of students by lecturers
Teachers and school authorities are the major culprits when it comes to examination malpractice. Teachers aid students to pass external examinations in various ways. They prepare answer scripts and pass round to students. They also condone a good number of the forms of examination malpractice discussed here.
Bribing of invigilators
Bribing of invigilators is also another common method of examination malpractice. To pass their examinations, students will contribute money to bribe their external invigilators.
This is very common with WAEC and NECO examinations. After they collect the money, the external invigilator will turn a blind eye to what the students are doing. They may even go out of the examination hall to give students freedom to do what they want.
Inscription or Tattoo
In some occasions, students get themselves involved in examination malpractice not by smuggling any extraneous materials into the hall. Instead, they inscribe possible formulae that may needed on their palms, hands and ties. This is a clever way to avoid being dictated by the invigilators.
You may also read; Monumental Examination Malpractice! Who is to blame?
Though the Federal Government has promulgated The Examination Malpractice Act (1999) as a way to cub examination malpractice. There is need for all those concerned to enforce the provisions of the act.
Dear readers, Jofegan International School has decided to bring sanctity to her examination processes by frowning and severely punishing those involved in examination malpractice.
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