Exam Security: Chinese Use Drones to Catch Cheaters

International Students
1

We think the SAT and ACT are important tests in the US, but the stakes involved don’t compare to those in China’s Gaokao, a.k.a. “the big test.”

The importance of this exam has spawned MacGyver-like cheating gear involving crafty phone or radio communication. In response, one city is launching drones to check for transmissions in the exam area:

"The drones will hover above exam sites in Luoyang, scanning for radio transmissions. Staff will be equipped with a tablet that shows an “electrocardiogram-like” interface: if a drone detects a signal, the line will spike.

If a rogue signal is detected, the drones can move around and change altitude to try and home in on the source, which could be a cheating student."

From ArsTechnica: http://arstechnica.co.uk/gadgets/2015/06/drones-used-to-catch-cheaters-at-most-stressful-exam-in-the-world/

So, do you think The College Board is preparing a fleet of drones?

2

Doesn’t the College Board already have a fleet of drones? But I think they call them proctors.

Sorry, couldn’t resist.

3

Certain colleges have wireless and cell phone signals blocked in their classrooms to minimize cheating. Our college is looking into it.

But sometimes you only need the grope test:

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/male-student-fined-after-dressing-up-as-his-girlfriend-and-taking-exam-in-her-place-135538009.html#16n4Jsu

4

I agree that signal blocking would be a lot simpler than drones. I think the FCC takes a dim view of it, though, and there’s always the concern about reporting an emergency.

5

Just build all your academic buildings to the Tempest specification. Problem solved.

6

My high school had cell phone signals blocked because of our cheating problems, etc; kids just started using whatsapp and facebook messenger instead.

I think this town is in for a rude awakening if they think there won’t be a single kid so desperate that they get around these “drones”.

7

How did they connect if cell service was blocked, @qwerty568? Did the school leave wifi on?

8

Interesting that CHEATING for a GF is now seen as “romantic.” I can’t imagine asking a loved one to take an exam for me or having them ask it of me. That’s really not my view of “romance.”

9

@Roger_Dooley Yes, our school has wifi for student and teacher laptops/tablets (our school has an iPad program for younger students and upperclassmen often need either personal or school-supplied laptops for certain lessons). Our teachers have laptops w/out Ethernet cables so keeping the wifi on was necessary.

10

Romance and illegal activity aren’t mutually exclusive, @himom. I suspect if he had been caught tunneling into a bank vault to pay for an engagement ring and honeymoon some people would have found that romantic, too. :slight_smile:

That’s funny, @querty568. You wouldn’t have to be a cybersecurity expert to guess that if you seal off one channel, cheaters will use another one that’s readily available. Maybe it’s a generational thing.

11

But this still won’t prevent most cheating. Until Collegeboard stops using re-cycled tests internationally, cheating will continue.

12

And I propose using dummy signals to divert the drones.

13

@HImom

They’re Kazakhstani, so it’s a completely different culture, compounded with the translation that might have a meaning slightly different and nuanced from “romantic.”

14

At least in the US, using any type of a signal blocker, anywhere is illegal, regardless of the organization. The FCC even has a page to report your school/whatever if you think they are using signal blockers. They can get a hefty fine for using them.