Examination malpractice refers to any illegal or unethical behavior that occurs during an exam, with the intention of obtaining an unfair advantage over other students or obtaining a higher score. This can take many forms, ranging from simple cheating to more complex schemes that involve multiple individuals.
One common form of examination malpractice is cheating, which occurs when a student brings unauthorized materials into the exam room or communicates with other students during the exam. This can include looking at another student's exam paper, using notes or textbooks that are not allowed, or using electronic devices such as phones or calculators to access prohibited information. Cheating is often motivated by a desire to get a higher score, and it is a serious breach of academic integrity.
Another form of examination malpractice is plagiarism, which occurs when a student submits work that is not their own as if it were their own. This can involve copying and pasting text from the internet or another source without proper citation, or buying a pre-written paper and submitting it as one's own work. Plagiarism is a form of intellectual theft, and it is strictly prohibited in academic settings.
A third form of examination malpractice is collusion, which occurs when two or more students work together to cheat on an exam. This can involve sharing answers or working together to complete an exam. Collusion is especially insidious because it is often difficult to detect, and it undermines the fairness of the exam process.
Finally, examination malpractice can also take the form of impersonation, which occurs when someone takes an exam on behalf of another student. This can involve hiring someone to take the exam, or simply having a friend or family member take the exam in place of the student. Impersonation is a serious breach of academic integrity, and it is strictly prohibited in most educational institutions.
In conclusion, examination malpractice takes many forms, ranging from simple cheating to more complex schemes involving multiple individuals. It is important to be aware of these forms of malpractice and to take steps to prevent them, in order to maintain the integrity of the exam process and ensure that all students have a fair opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and skills.