When you take an exam, or do any kind of in-class assignment, there is an expectation that the work you submit will be your entirely your own, unless you are specifically instructed otherwise. If a professor suspects that a student is unfairly looking at notes or another student’s paper, he or she is required to report the student to the Committee on Academic Misconduct.
Be sure to engage in good test-taking behavior, to ensure that you are not thought to be cheating when you are not. It is recommended that:
- you do not talk at all to other students during a test. Even if you just need to ask to borrow a pen, it could appear that you were discussing an exam question.
- you do not sit next to friends during an exam. You may be tempted to talk, and as mentioned above, talking is discouraged on test days.
- you always speak in English during class, even when you’re having a casual conversation with a friend, unrelated to the course. If your instructor doesn’t speak your native language, he or she could think you were unfairly sharing information during a test, even if you were just planning a shopping trip.
- you assume an exam is “closed book” – i.e., that it is to be taken without looking at notes, books, or your cell phone. Only look at outside materials if your instructor gives permission.
- you always put your laptop, cell phones and other electronic devices away during a test. You don’t want it to appear that you were trying to use one of these to look up an answer.
- you don’t let your eyes wander around the room as you take an exam. You don’t want your professor or other students to think you were trying to look at someone else’s paper.
- you protect your own work. If you think that someone is trying to look at your work, inform the instructor.