Examination Malpractices JSS3 Civic Education Lesson Note

Examination Malpractice

This is defined as any deliberate act of wrongdoing/abuse in any form of the rules and regulations governing the conduct of examination (Internal or External Examination). It is wrong or illegal behaviour exhibited by a person before, during, and after the examination.

It is also the act of violating the rules and regulations of an examination body to succeed. It ranges from copying answers from a textbook or sheet of paper to buying of examination questions to getting another person to write an examination for you.

Causes of Examination Malpractices

The causes of examination malpractices are numerous;

1. Undue emphasis on paper qualification for placement in higher institutions and other occupational opportunities.
2. Difficult and poorly moderated examination.
3. Poor preparation for the examination.
4. Lack or shortage of qualified teachers.
5. Test anxiety and examination phobia.
6. Poor library facilities.
7. Negative peer groups.
8. Lack of confidence.
9. Poor test administration (e.g. shortage of question papers, poor timing, etc.)
10. Lack of motivation by teachers and parents.

SOCIAL ISSUES – EFFECTS AND SOLUTION TO EXAMINATION MALPRACTICE

• Effects
• Solutions

Effects

1. Examination malpractice constitutes a serious problem and threat to societal norms and values such as honesty, industry, etc.
2. Inability to communicate correctly in the English Language.
3. Expulsion due to low academic performance despite the ‘good result” that was used to secure the admission
4. Inability to cope outside the school’s system since they only got their way through dubious means

Solutions

1. Examination questions should be well screened and the examination committee must ensure that the questions are not so difficult to discourage failure rates.
2. There should be enough security measures during the examination period.
3. Schools should be well equipped to make the environment conducive for students to learn and develop good study habits.
4. More qualified teachers should be employed in the educational system of the school.
5. The teacher should not create examination phobia on the students.
6. Those to be chosen as examination officials, supervisors, invigilators, etc. should be people of proven integrity and high moral standards.