Eight (8) Strategies for Teachers to Prevent Cheating before The Exam

Cheating, though inevitable, should be discouraged in the classroom. Teachers should exhaust each and every possible means to prevent it from happening. This is deeply rooted under a long-founded philosophy of education -- idealism. Idealism pushes through morale and spirituality inside the classroom.

According to a long-existing child philosophy, the child-depravity theory, children are naturally evil and teachers should prevent this evil to spread all over the students' bodies. One way is get bad things nipped in the bud.

Cheating is evil, though I don't agree much. Anyway, here are the strategies to prevent cheating BEFORE the examination.

1. Erasures mean wrong.

This is a very effective technique. This could actually encourage students to review and to study more. For those who did well in reviewing, this isn't a problem whatsoever but for those who didn't, this could get them in a messy situation. They could try to cheat but it will be a dilemma.

Only, teachers should keep in mind that corrections aren't erasures. Some teachers over do it.

2. Use idealistic principles.

Saying that cheating is a bad thing, that students who cheat are Satan's disciples and Jesus wouldn't like to see them cheating are long-time techniques but they are as effective as they were before.

3. Keep distance.

I had a professor who wouldn't start the exam without us arranges in a one-meter distance from each other. She's actually disarranging us so that we couldn't sit near our closer friends. Distance is one safe way to prevent cheating. Not only can a teacher detect easily when someone cheats but also, the students will hesitate to extend their necks.

4. Teach well.

So far, this is the safest way to prevent cheating. The students wouldn't need to cheat if they understood the lessons. One can say that there are also student-factors but teachers hold the wheels. We must be responsible in doing everything to make our lessons palatable to the taste of the students.

5. Give the students sufficient time to prepare for the test.

Give students announcements about the exam beforehand.

Imagine giving students a day to prepare for a major exam. Two things could happen: they fail or they pass. The students cannot afford the former. They will find a way.

6. Acquaint the students with the nature of the test and its coverage.

A week before the examination, the students must be informed about the nature and the coverage of the test. This will serve as help for them and will serve as a tool for you, as a teacher, to prevent cheating.

Giving pointers to review and announcing the types of test are great if they aren't over done. Be careful not to lessen the validity of the examination by giving the students too much information. 

7. Let them define cheating.

Letting them define what cheating is a great way of deterring cheating. If it came out from their own mouths that cheating is not good, it will activate their conscience.

It's like letting them discourage one another.

8. Explain the discipline imposed when caught cheating.

Except for harsh and inhuman punishments and sanctions, you can use them. Letting the students know what the consequences of their actions be will serve as a warning sign for them.

Now, be sure that you will implement these disciplines because if you don't you will lose the students' respect and trust.