Implementing the right exam management software can minimize the occurrences of cheating on exams.

1. Computer Testing Software Can Help Prevent Cheating on Exams
Though not a surprise, it is unfortunately true that when the stakes are high, such as with
standardized tests and certification exams, there will often be some exam takers intent on
trying to circumvent the system.
In this case recently reported by CNN, cheating appears to have been pretty pervasive
and systematic. CNN’s investigation found that radiology residents across the country
have been cheating on the board certification test by memorizing test questions and
creating comprehensive banks known as “recalls,” to improve their future test scores.
Similarly, the SAT Cheating Scandal uncovered late last year resulted in criminal charges
against 20 students who allegedly accepted payment or paid others to take the SAT
fraudulently. Though cheating on the SAT is not an easy task, it is estimated that there
are 2,000 cases of cheating out of approximately 2 million students who take the test each
year.
Exam security systems are continually challenged, and there are many different means of
cheating. Those associated with recall, such as the two examples listed here, appear to be
some of the hardest to combat. However, the rise of computer based exams (CBT) has
presented new opportunities that have yet to be fully realized, including access to:
• Historical question performance data. Administrators can review question
performance over time to identify trends and suspicious activities worthy of
further attention.
• Question banking systems. Question or item banking systems enable easy,
ongoing question creation, revision and management. Sophisticated item banking
systems have been proven to facilitate question development, which grows the
available question pool and makes something like “recalls” more difficult.
• Instant results and reporting. The ability to monitor and grade exams in real time
can help exam administrators identify and confront potential cheating on the spot,
rather than letting it slip through the cracks like it did with the SAT scandal.
Whether a student or professional in-training is caught copying another student’s paper,
accessing the Internet with his or her cell phone, pasting test answers on a water bottle or
passing the memorized test bank answers along to another test taker, these instances are
labeled as cheating.
Although it is impossible to prevent people from cheating on tests 100 percent of the
time, you can put advanced systems in place to significantly reduce test takers’ ability to
cheat or inflate examination performance. The most effective computer testing software
should implement both cheating prevention and post-exam cheating detection systems
along with sophisticated levels of monitoring and analysis. Also, using techniques such

2. as “locking-down” laptops and prevent access to outside tools or applications during
testing helps discourage and prevent cheating.
About ExamSoft
ExamSoft is a computer based testing software company offering a turnkey solution
for online testing software and learning assessment solutions. For more information
on our online exam software, please visit: http://learn.examsoft.com/