today is my math test , I really didn’t prepared for it, so when the test is going to finish . I take a peek from my best friend which was siting next to me . When I raise my head , I know the teacher found out because she was looking at us . After the test, she scolded us and ask us to meet her tomorrow . I swear I just look at one small question which is only 2marks . I know I am going to apologize to her tomorrow but I am so scared she will give me zero for it . But I know is my fault , I need to bear the responsibility . I decide to tell her wish question that I really cheated and give me zero mark for that question but I afraid she will not believe me and when I say I let her to give me zero mark. I afraid she will give me zero mark for the whole test paper . What should I do now ?
Most teachers would give you a zero for the entire test rather than just the one question. The important thing is that you don’t try to make excuses. Admitting that you did it will make an impression on her and even if you still get a zero, she will respect you for not trying to get out of it. Many teachers will punish both parties because it is often hard to tell who is at fault. Be sure to explain that your friend had nothing to do with the cheating and it was entirely your fault. It sounds like maybe the class is difficult for you (since you felt you had to cheat). You might try talking to her separately to ask for help in the class. Most teachers are much more willing to help if they see you are interested in learning. It took my kids a while to figure out that most teachers are in that profession because they enjoy teaching and really like it when students ask for help and want to learn. Good luck in this situation. I know it seems like a lot to handle right now but learn from this experience and move on.
But the fact is I really just cheat on that question and the other question that I did myself is definitely wrong . Maybe she will give me some marks out of sympathy ? Cause this test marks will affect my final exam marks too
Calm down. Admit that you cheated and own up. Tell her you screwed up and be forthright about it. If she wants to give you a zero on the entire test, fine just accept it. Being a cheater, how is she going to believe you only looked at one answer?
That the problem , i don’t think she is going to believe me anymore. What should I really do … She used to be very trusting me . I feel that I make her diasppointed to me
She has no way of knowing that you only cheated on one question so probably will fail you for the entire test. You will have to earn her trust again by working hard and asking for help when you are behind. The important thing now is that your friend doesn’t get penalized for your mistake. Own up to it and tell her you know you messed up and are sorry.
Ting, four people have told you what you should really do. Apologize, don’t make excuses and take your consequences. It’s called growing up.
Yes, she probably is disappointed and she has lost trust in you. Now you know that the consequences are more far reaching than just getting 0 on a test. Hopefully you will learn from this next time you’re tempted to cheat.
I am really not ready to accept the fact that I am going to get zero for that exam . So I just can’t understand that a small action will lead to such a large consequences
“I only stole part of the money in the register… It’s not like I stole all of it! I don’t understand why stealing such a small amount can lead to such big consequences!”
You were ready to cheat.
You knew the school rules on cheating I expect.
Yes, you could get a zero.
Where I teach college, you could get expelled for one cheating incident.
The fact that you “peeked” at only one question is immaterial - even the most attentive teachers and proctors can’t look at every student for every second, so the implication is that you were cheating throughout the test.
I suggest you admit it, apologize, say it was stupid (it was), and yes take the consequences.
If I feel that a student means well and did not “mean to cheat”, I would consider a complete retake, HOWEVER, remember that’s a lot more work for me because you have to take an entirely new exam, and have more time to study than students who did not cheat.
In a HS setting, I could see mandating 20 hours of community service, if and only if the test papers were compared and that question was the only one that was identical. Maybe make you write a 1000-word essay too.
Well the fact is no matter how big or small the mistake is. I still have make the mistake , pray for God bless me that she will not give me zero mark
Forget about a zero, you should be “praying” that she doesn’t take it to the administration and you don’t end up with discipline for cheating on your record!
It’s interesting that before cheaters get caught, it’s all about themselves. It’s all about selfishly trying to get something with no thought as to how it impacts others.
And, then, after they get caught, it’s still all about themselves. It’s how to avoid punishment, how to get off easily, how to get sympathy. There is still no thought as to how this affects the other students, the teachers or the system as a whole.
It would be a refreshing change to see a cheater ask how to make full restitution including attempting to repair the damage done to others who weren’t even involved in the bad acting.
No where did you mention what you did to your best friend.
I agree, JOD. Rarely do I see a student who’s truly sorry they cheated. They’re sorry they got caught. This student’s friend is just as likely to get a zero for the test AND a mark on his/her permanent record which could affect his/her college admission chances just as much as it would for the “friend” who actually did the cheating.
@Ting25, If I were you, I’d be figuring out how to explain to the teacher that YOU deserve whatever punishment she thinks is appropriate and that your friend (who’s blameless in this situation) deserves none.
The first rule of holes is Stop Digging.
Be grateful you got caught. Cheating is never worth it. Maybe now you will understand why.
If you didn’t cheat you would have gotten a zero for that question anyway. Don’t you think the consequences of getting caught cheating ought to be worse than had you not cheated?
You are right. You have lost any credibility. Why would she or anybody else believe anything you ever said again.
Getting a zero for the exam would be getting off lightly. I think a mark should go on your permanent record so that all colleges see it and thus reject you. It wasn’t a small action. I think everybody should know the consequences of cheating as a deterrent.
You need to take responsibility. You are guilty. If you have remorse, have remorse but take responsibility. There is a path forward with integrity and honor. You can eventually get your honor back but not anytime soon. Live honestly from now on and take whatever comes. Good luck.
Not only are they sorry they got caught, but the next thing they will often state is that they are sorry for the “damage” they did to themselves.
I first noticed this long ago in cheaters who are caught. When prompted to make a statement saying they are “sorry”, the first thing that comes out is how they are sorry about what it has done to them. It’s only relatively recently that it’s become more fashionable for notable violators to “voluntarily” state they are sorry for the impact their actions had on others.
in re post 12-
Yes, look how many adults here do anything to escape a speeding ticket for example. Page after page of ways to avoid guilt(even when the speeder admits to us that he was speeding).
It’s an old expression- if integrity was easy we’d all have it.
What a ridiculous thing to ask prayers and blessings for!