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In-class Exam tips

  1. Share with students in advance the methods you are taking to prevent academic misconduct during exams – this information may help deter students from engaging in academic misconduct
  2. Include academic integrity expectations and course policies on the first page of the exam if applicable.
  3. Clearly explain to students what your expectations are regarding academic integrity before the exam starts and ensure they understand
  4. Give oral and written instructions concerning material allowed or not allowed during the exam at the beginning of the exam period
  5. If using blue books for exams, collect all of them and randomly redistribute them to the class. Additionally, be sure to collect all blue books, whether used or not, at the end of the exam
  6. Use alternating copies of exams with different colors and questions in different orders
  7. Vary the multiple choice order on the different exams, and consider using different values for different versions of the test
  8. For classes in auditorium-style rooms, think about alternating the test versions by row to ensure students cannot cheat off a student in the row in front of them
  9. Randomize seating in order to avoid students who know each other sitting together or have students fill out a seating chart that you can reference if you suspect academic misconduct
  10. Encourage students to sit apart from their friends and study partners during exams.
  11. Train your TAs how to be effective proctors – encourage them to regularly walk around the room observing students instead of doing other work or reading
  12. If a student needs to leave the room, collect their exam materials while the student is out of the room
  13. After the exam, mark the answer sheets in a way where responses cannot be changed and allows you to see if there have been alterations if a student brings up a concern about grading
  14. Scan a copy of the exam before returning it to students
  15. Give an alternate version of the exam for students you allow to make up the test
  16. For in-class Canvas exams, identify appropriate settings and ensure students understand what materials are permitted during the exam period.