How do you prevent exam fraud?

Fraud prevention is currently high on the agenda for assessment organisations. This is logical, given that exam fraud can have disastrous consequences. In this blog, you can read about how exam fraud is committed and what you can do to prevent it.   

Types of examination fraud

Examination fraud takes place in numerous ways. Common forms of contemporary examination fraud include: identity fraud (1), fraud through the use of (technological) aids (2) and theft of examinations (3).

Identity fraud (1)

When someone uses another person's personal details to take an examination, this constitutes identity fraud. However, rapid technological developments are making it increasingly difficult to commit identity fraud in (online) examinations. Identification requirements are becoming stricter and more explicit, making it possible to determine with greater certainty that the correct person is taking the examination. This is a positive development!

Fraud through the use of (technical) aids (2)

Anyone who thinks that fraud nowadays only occurs through technical means is mistaken. Old-fashioned cheating via notes, writing on your hand or a note in your graphing calculator are still commonplace. However, it is no longer limited to these kinds of ‘simple’ cheating techniques. With high-tech Equipment that is difficult or impossible to detect is smuggled into the examination room. This includes advanced accessories such as glasses or pens that allow candidates to access information. Or the use of ‘invisible’ earpieces to contact people outside the examination room who whisper the correct answers.

Theft of examinations (3)

In addition to exam candidates themselves trying to influence the final results in various ways, exam questions are also increasingly being duplicated. This can be done simply by copying exam questions or by making screen recordings. The exam questions obtained are then shared or even sold.

Exam theft is not limited to candidates, however. Invigilators, question writers and/or teachers who have access to exam content are also tempted from time to time.

What measures are in place to prevent exam fraud?

Due to the potentially serious consequences of exam fraud, it goes without saying that prevention is high on the agenda for testing organisations. Below is an overview of possible measures.

Biometric identification

Biometric identification allows you to combat identity fraud in a targeted manner. An individual's physical characteristics and habits are recorded. This includes recognition of the palm, face or voice. Another application is the analysis of ‘typing habits’ using keystroke dynamics. Every individual who uses a keyboard has their own identifiable typing style. This means that a pattern can be created for each individual exam candidate, which can be used for identification purposes.

Data forensics

Data analysis during an examination can reveal deviations in the behaviour of the candidate. In the event of striking deviations, a suspicious situation can be investigated further. For example, when a candidate answers the first ten questions remarkably quickly compared to the other questions. If someone finishes an examination significantly faster than others, this can also raise alarm bells. Afterwards, based on multiple aspects, it can be determined whether fraud has actually been committed.

Supervision

For both written and digital examinations, it is important that invigilators are well trained. In addition, cameras or other (electronic) aids can serve as additional support for invigilation during an examination. At online invigilation For example, the candidate's examination room is monitored using a webcam, mobile camera and screen sharing. This allows the candidate's screen to be shared remotely with the invigilator. These kinds of technological gadgets enhance supervision. However, it is precisely these technological developments that enable candidates to find new ways to outsmart the invigilators.

What if the exam is already out there?

Has the examination or a number of examination questions been stolen and made public? Then, depending on the number of questions that have been leaked, the only solution is to modify the examination. This could involve introducing variations in the questions or constructing entirely new ones. exam questions. This way, you reduce the chance that questions that are already out there will be asked again. This may mean that these questions will not have a significant impact on the results of future examinations.

The future of fraud prevention

Examination fraud will continue to be an issue in the future. As long as candidates have an interest in cheating, they will continue to look for new ways to do so. The fact that the tools they use are becoming increasingly sophisticated does not make prevention any easier. Preventive measures will therefore have to be constantly tightened and updated.

Despite all the possibilities in the field of fraud prevention, examinations must of course remain user-friendly and secure for candidates. The trick is to stay ahead of new forms of fraud as much as possible and to anticipate them as quickly as possible.

Conclusion

Combining various measures or tools, such as biometric identification and data forensics, will yield the best results. However, support for these innovative applications and automated tools still needs to grow before they can become an integral part of the standard examination process.

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