“The second most observed cheating activity reported by students (33.3%) was looking at someone else’s answers without his or her knowledge.”
Nelson, L. P., Nelson, R. K., Tichenor, L. (2013) Understanding Today’s Students: Entry -Level Science Student Involvement in Academic Dishonesty. Journal of College Science Teaching,42(3), 52-57.
Test Covers were designed by a biology professor to solve a problem. How do we prevent students from copying other students’ answers on short answer and bubble tests without using multiple versions of the test? Some college and high school classrooms require a minimum of four different versions of a test. The Test Cover folder effectively reduces the ability of students to see other students’ test answers without obscuring the visibility of the desktop. Test Covers are currently being used in high school and college math, science, and nursing classes.
Test Covers also help students fill out answer forms more accurately. Test Covers have been purchased by Special Education Departments at high schools and colleges that use “bubble” test forms.
Student Survey Results and Testimonials:
Surveys conducted over a 4-year period (fall 2011-spring 2015) at an Illinois Community College, indicate that 80%-85% of over 700 community college science students think the Test Covers are a good idea and help reduce cheating on optically graded (bubble tests) and short answer tests. These surveys were voluntary, anonymous, and completed after the final examination.
Positive comments from students regarding the Test Covers include: the ability to protect their answers from wandering eyes; reduction in their temptation to copy answers from other students; reduction in concern of being accused of cheating; and increased accuracy and ease of filling out the test forms on optically graded (bubble) tests and short answer tests.