ETHICAL
CONSIDERATIO
N ON
EXAMINATION
MALPRACTICE
WHAT IS EXAMINATION
◦ learners dictionary (2000) defined examination as spoken or practical test at school or college
especially an important one that you need to do in order to get a qualification. The Wikipedia
further asserted that a test or examination is an assessment intended to measure a test-takers
knowledge or skill, aptitude, physical fitness or classification in many other topics (e.g. beliefs).
An examination is a form of evaluation where the learner is tested in all areas covered in the
process of teaching at the end of a semester for proper placement and certification. Examination
usually comes in the form of:
i) Essay: which involves choice of questions where lengthy written answers are expected.
ii) Objective: this is designed to make students to answer a large number of questions either by
making statements as true or false or by selecting the best of several (multiple choice) given
answers.
iii) Practical: this is employed in scientific and technical fields to test theory.
iv) Oral: this is given to simply recognize phonetic symbols in a given word commonly used to test
languages and other fields.
PURPOSE OF EXAMINATION
◦Examination can provide information about an individual,
student or group of students, a school (in terms of whether it
is performing according to expectation), or about educational
system (in terms of whether or not the set objectives are
being met). The examination lies in the centre of any
educational enterprise as it serves three main purposes:
◦ i) Measuring competence or achievement in a given field of endeavour
◦ ii) Helping predict future success and also assisting in selection purposes.
◦ iii) As an activity, providing incentives to learning.
◦ iv) To know the weaknesses of the learners.
WHAT IS MALPRACTICE
◦Malpractice refers to all illegal means adopted by students in
passing examination either within or outside the examination
hall. It can be taking to mean cheating cookery or fraud
EXAM MALPRACTICE
◦ Examination malpractice is defined as any deliberate act of wrong doing,
contrary to the rules of examinations designed to give a candidate an
undue advantage.
◦ Examination malpractice also known as cheating is the illegal action that
students take during their examinations to try to make good grades by
cutting corners.
◦ Examination malpractice is an act or irregular manner of testing
candidates which contravenes the rules and conventions guiding the
conduct of examinations.
DIFFERENT FORMS
OF EXAM
MALPRACTICE
◦Body Aids. Involve jotting of points /answers
on the underwear's, or thighs for referencing
during examination.
◦ Mercenary Service. Involve employing the
service of another student/person to write the
examination.
◦ Table Top. Is writing of anticipated answers on
the top of a desk before the commencement of
examination.
◦ CNN. Is the sharing of questions and answers
between groups for eventual connection in the
examination hall.
◦ Time Out. Is the act of going out to the toilet
to read up answers.
◦ Direct Access. Is an act whereby an Examiner
helps students during examination.
EFFECTS OF EXAM
MALPRACTICE
◦ 1. It gives a false impression on knowledge, understanding or skills possessed by
students.
◦ 2. It defeats the basis of objective comparison between and among candidates.
◦ 3. Examination malpractice makes the selection of the best for a particular position
or level difficult.
◦ 4. It makes a mockery of excellence and standard and sends the signal that honesty
does not pay.
◦ 5. It breeds mediocrity and enthrones laziness and stupidity, thereby discouraging
hard work, which is the foundation of growth and progress.
◦ 6. It fosters self-deception as those who engage in examination malpractices cannot
correctly and objectively assess their competence.
◦ 7. It is a violation of the law of Almighty God and a reproach to individual's families
and a nation.
MEANS OF
CURBING EXAM
MALPRACTICE
◦1. Public Enlightenment
◦ 2. Information to Candidates
◦ 3. Sensitization of Government/Stakeholders
◦ 4. Sanctions
◦5. Embossment of Examination Album
