Got caught cheating by taking a final outside the classroom although the syllabus doesn’t state where you have to take tests. Can college tests know if you highlight a question and search google? My professor emailed me and told me if I want to meet and discuss we could but “don’t lie because the evidence against me is strong”. What is my next step? And most important is this; I already sent my transcripts to the college I want to get into before this incident. If I get flagged for cheating will the be notified? Thank you!
Your next step is to go to your classroom teacher and ask for help. The problem is not that you were caught, but that you felt cheating was the correct solution to a perceived problem.
My parents were divorced in my second year of college, my home was lost. In those days college campuses did not have resident “shrinks” to counsel depressed students. During this dark period of depression, I could not concentrate and my grades took a nosedive. One professor gave a quiz every Monday to an 11AM class and the same quiz at 1 PM to the 1PM class. We all knew this and those of us in the 1PM class were told we were on the honor system not to cheat by colluding with the 11AM class on the quiz…
Two fraternity brothers decided to “help” me by sharing with me their fool-proof method… cheat on the Monday quiz by prepping with 11AM classmates for our afternoon quiz.
There is not enough room here to discuss the pros and cons of cheating. The subject was engineering dynamics. People die when engineering mistakes are made. This is not dramatic fiction. This is an important part of your personal growth.
What do you want to be?
PS: I did not follow their advice. With hindsight this was one of life’s big decisions. Life went on and I survived the perceived crisis to live another day. Do what you know is the right thing.
You got caught. Just own up to it. It would be highly unorthodox for your professor to try and bait you if he doesn’t have evidence. He must feel that he has solid evidence to call you out, so there is no point in denying it.
Was the final a take home test? Did everyone else take the final in class? What were the guidelines that your professor laid out during class?
I am not sure if the test was able to tell if you highlighted the question, but most likely not. There must have been a system of catching cheaters, especially since they let you take it outside the classroom. Something about your answer must have tipped them off. Or maybe you weren’t allowed to take it at home.
Your grade will most likely be deducted and it will probably go on your record. If you applied for a transfer, the school most likely will be notified of your academic dishonesty or your low grade will raise questions.
You think the university will be notified even though I sent my transcripts before this happened? I took the test less than 300 feet from the class room on my laptop which were allowed to do. We’re suppose to take the test in class which is implied but not stated in the syllabus or by the professor. I could say that testing around others causes me stress or something. My biggest fear is that my transcripts which are being processed will be affected. Would a UC really contact about of state university to inform them of this 2 weeks after my transcripts have been sent?
I meant would a community college (CC) really contact an out of state university*
Even if a student is accepted, there are contingencies on the acceptance. If you get placed on academic probation or it goes on your record, I think there is a strong possibility that your cc will report it to the UC.
I don’t know what the deal is with the rules of the class and syllabus. You should go in and talk to your professor and see why he thinks you cheated. There is no way for any of us to know what he or the school will do.
I know this sounds corny, but everybody messes up dude. Important thing is how we deal with it and that we learn from it. Also I know it must feel like the end of the world, but you will be fine
So you cheated, you got caught and now you are trying to avoid the consequences.
Whatever happens with this don’t cheat in the future. Actions have consequences.
The syllabus doesn’t have to say not to leave the exam room. If the test is scheduled in a particular room, it’s understood that students are to stay there unless the professor specifically says otherwise. It’s possible that you got accused of cheating for leaving, but it’s equally possible that you got accused because you Googled for answers. And yes, they can tell. If you thought they couldn’t, you’d lie? Maybe you should try to learn from this experience.
If you tell the truth, you may fail the class and have a note added to your transcript. Your college will send an updated transcript to the other colleges, so they’ll find out. However, if you lie and they feel they have sufficient proof, they might expel you. If that happens, the other colleges would receive notice of that. You could have your acceptances rescinded and you might have to repay any grants you received.
It seems like you’re trying to rely on a possible loophole about the syllabus not saying “where the test needs to take place.” Most tests take place in a classroom unless otherwise stated (e.g. take-home exam). The best thing you can do is own up to what you did, and maybe the professor will go easy on you.
Colleges have different approaches to cheating and it depends on the severity and situation. You should check with the professor on the process and whether this would go on your transcript. The college is unlikely to contact your new university, but the new school would find out if there is a notation on your final transcript. And those notations are reserved for serious matters. You should find out the policies at your college.
“Can college tests know if you highlight a question and search google?”
Yes. Anything that you do on-line can be found out after the fact. The question is how hard they will dig to find the information. If you lie about whether you were googling answers to the test questions, they will figure out that you are lying, which will motivate them to dig deeper and you will be found out.
I think that you better tell the truth at this point. If you first cheat, then lie about cheating, then get caught in the lie, then you will be in even worse trouble.