Breaches of examination rules

Exam candidates appear to be getting the message that cell phones have no place in exam rooms.

Statistics released late last term on breaches of examination rules by NZQA show misconduct involving cellphones in the 2007 examinations season dropped by almost a third on the previous year.

Of 48 investigated breaches involving cellphones, 23 were proven in 2007, down from 33 proven breaches in 2006.

Cellphones are banned from examination rooms, with signage stating this rule. Some candidates inadvertently take phones into exams – a proven breach indicates intentional use of the phone.

“Cell phones are a common accessory for most students, so it does take a conscious effort for some candidates to leave the phone at home,” said Bali Haque, NZQA deputy chief executive, Qualifications.

“But the message does seem to be starting to get through.”

Breaches investigated:

A total of 328 breaches of examination rules were investigated in 2007, down from 336 in 2006. The 2007 examinations involved nearly 140,000 candidates.

Of these, 116 incidents resulted in candidates’ results being withheld (marked as “proven” in the data).

In 2006, 135 cases resulted in candidates having results withheld.

“Breaches of examination rules are treated very seriously by NZQA but the number of breaches is a very small proportion of the total candidates,” Mr Haque said.

Exam supervisors are encouraged to report all possible breaches, no matter how minor. Punishment for breaches can range from a warning letter, to having results withheld.

Where a breach is investigated and found not to warrant the withholding of results, it is considered “resolved”.

• 114 candidates were investigated for “Accessing Information or Materials” – including taking their own paper, or notes, into the exam room, or communicating with other candidates in the exam room – 49 breaches were proven.

• 100 candidates were investigated for “Not Following Instructions”. In this category 48 candidates took cell phones with them into the exam room. Also in this category are candidates who left the exam room early (within the first 30 minutes), failed to stop writing at the end of the exam, or were investigated for offensive language or inappropriate language in their answer booklets – 28 breaches were proven.

• 75 candidates were investigated for “Influencing/Assisting or Hindering” during the exams. This is general disruption of the exam room. 23 breaches were proven.

• Five candidates were investigated for possibly altering their answer booklets before they were sent in for reconsideration – four cases were proven.