Why does cheating occur in college

Academic Experience. UoPeople Difference. Online Learning at UoPeople. Global Network. Career Development. Life After Graduation. Student Life. Program Advising. Virtual Tour. Transfer Credits. English Proficiency. How to Apply. Prepare for University. Foundation Courses. First Courses Prep. The American Education System. University Documents. Essential Documents. UoPeople Policies. Ask a Student. What is Tuition-Free? Our Scholarships. About UoPeople. Students have gotten creative over the years and have found numerous ways to cheat on their exams.

There are even Youtube tutorials devoted to cheating effectively. Here are some ways that cheating happens, although there are plenty more than this list, so teachers and administrators should always be aware of what is going on in the classroom.

There have been many studies done to determine which students cheat and why. There have been several factors that influence whether or not a student cheats. None of these factors are an excuse for cheating, but being aware of these influences can help prevent cheating in the classroom.

There are also a number of ways students can unintentionally cheat. For example; not knowing how to cite a source properly in an essay, or not understanding copyright information. The expectations for an assignment may not be clear to them, so teachers should thoroughly explain instructions to avoid this confusion. Knowing how students cheat and why can help teachers and test proctors prevent it.

Here are some tools and tips on how to prevent, or catch, cheating on tests. There are also several scandals related to cheating that have occurred over the years. Here are some general findings:. This survey included over 23, American students in both private and public high schools.

While these results do not include college statistics, all college students started out in high school, and people who cheat early on are more likely to continue to cheat later.

Cheating is a serious offense. College students should understand the consequences and recognize how cheating only leads to more cheating, and eventual failure. AD BestValueSchools. While cheating may not be a thrill ride, students already inclined to rebel against curfews and dabble in illicit substances have a certain comfort level with being reckless.

Cheating also appears to be almost contagious among young people—and may even serve as a kind of social adhesive, at least in environments where it is widely accepted. Studies show that technology has made cheating in school easier, more convenient, and harder to catch than ever before. Even moral students need help acting morally, said Dr. Jason M. According to Stephens, teachers are uniquely positioned to infuse students with a sense of responsibility and help them overcome the rationalizations that enable them to think cheating is OK.

Turn down the pressure cooker. Students are less likely to cheat on work in which they feel invested. A multiple-choice assessment tempts would-be cheaters, while a unique, multiphase writing project measuring competencies can make cheating much harder and less enticing. Repetitive homework assignments are also a culprit, according to research , so teachers should look at creating take-home assignments that encourage students to think critically and expand on class discussions.

Teachers could also give students one free pass on a homework assignment each quarter, for example, or let them drop their lowest score on an assignment. Home Plagiarism and Copyright What is Plagiarism? Collectively, the most frequently stated reasons students choose to plagiarize or cheat include: Desire to get a good grade Fear of failing Procrastination or poor time management Disinterest in the assignment Belief they will not get caught Confusion about what constitutes plagiarism or current university policies None of these instances are acceptable reasons to plagiarize, cheat, or commit other acts of academic dishonesty.

Why Do Students Commit Plagiarism?