Q&A for How to Catch Students Cheating

Just tell them the truth. If they don't believe you, you can inform the teacher of what happened.

Nicely tell them what you were doing and why it might have looking like you were cheating, from your teacher's perspective. Be calm and polite.

Ask your teacher to look at the notes then look at the test, and if any of the answers on the note are different from your answers on the test, that may help you make your case. You could also ask her to compare the paper to pages of your own notes.

Essentially, allow your students to bring in a limited number of notes (such as one index card's worth) to help them with the test. This is something used in educational organizations like the Science Olympiad to help decrease cheating. The psychology behind it is basically that if the student thinks that they already have a cheat sheet, they won't try and bring in another one that's not allowed. Plus, it puts all students on equal footing, so no one has an unfair advantage - everyone gets to write down and use whatever notes they think they'll need most.

Cheating is considered finding the answers without working them out yourself. Using a calculator, phone or anything that can give you answers can be considered as cheating. Looking at your friends' answers or finding the questions that will be on the test and answering them at your house is also considered cheating.

You cannot do anything but prepare yourself from the punishment you will receive. Some schools expel students; the best thing you can do is apologize and offer to resit the test.

Don't do it if you want to keep your reputation.

Use what the list says are signs of cheating as a guideline of what not to do.

You shouldn't be talking during a test. It's not up to your teacher to judge whether you were cheating or just talking, either way you were breaking the rules. You should politely talk to your teacher in private and explain to him/her that you weren't cheating and apologize for talking during the exam. Ask if it's possible for you to make up the test.

You should tell, because copying is wrong. It's not fair for them to get a grade they did not earn, and it's also bad for them in the long run because they are not learning things they are going to need to know later on. If they get caught, they probably won't try to do it again.

Some studies have shown that students who are close to their teachers don't cheat as often. Emphasizing that the end goal is mastering the subject, not getting a high grade, has been shown to work as well.

Why does anyone cheat at anything? Because they want the reward without having to put in the work.

Block your paper with either your hands or a folder of some kind. If that doesn't work, find somewhere else to sit or ask your teacher to move you.

It's a high chance that it would be a hard exam, because there are always people who don’t cheat, but they can still get it wrong.

You have to change your perspective and be willing to work for what you get.

Yes, tell the teacher privately and ask her to tell your classmate that there was an anonymous tip. You're really doing your friend a favor, if they cheat, they'll never learn the material and they'll be setting themselves up for failure later in life.

Don't give him the answers. Remind him of the serious consequences there are for cheating and tell him that you're saying no because you care about him and don't want to risk getting him into trouble. And your mom comes first, it's her career and your respect for her that must be put above all else.

It is not recommended to help your friend cheat, because you could also suffer the consequences from cheating. Explain to him/her that you are not comfortable helping them cheat.

If they are truly your friend, help them understand the material after the test but don’t make them suffer the harsh consequences that can come from cheating. They could fail the test or even get expelled! If you want your friend to remain your friend, mention you noticed, explain the high likelihood of getting caught and suggest study nights together.

Teachers should talk to parents and talk with a principal or headmaster about suspension if it is a major test or a repeated offense. If you're a parent, take away phones or the device he or she used to cheat with and take it away for a long time. Check they're doing their homework and maybe get a tutor or give direct help because cheating is a sign of feeling incompetent at the subject and maybe your child actually needs help.

Ask the school administrative office for evidence of your absence, which you can then show to the teacher as your alibi for this accusation. If the teacher refuses to view the note, then speak with the principal about it.

Tell the class there have been 'rumors of people cheating on the last test.' Set out a tip box where they can submit anonymous tips on slips of paper. If enough people say it was the same person, confront that person by asking them to redo the answers in your office.

If you showed no signs of cheating and your teacher doesn't have proof of you cheating, your teacher can't take any actions for cheating. If they keep insisting, then talk to someone like the principal.

Tell the teacher right away. Don't let other people copy you or the teacher might think you are involved too. Long term, it's better that everyone learns for themselves to be better at doing things all of their lives.