Having a friend write a test for you

code | scenario | smart strategies | consequences

Code of Behaviour on Academic Matters

1. It shall be an offence for a student knowingly:

(c) to personate another person, or to have another person personate, at any academic examination or term test or in connection with any other form of academic work;

Wherever in the Code an offence is described as depending on “knowing”, the offence shall likewise be deemed to have been committed if the person ought reasonably to have known.

Scenario – Having a friend write a test for you

You and your friend live together in residence.  You are struggling in school, and have to admit that your friend seems to be doing better in classes this term than you are. You have an upcoming test, and you’re panicking: if you don’t do well on this test, you’ll fail the course. You beg your friend to write the test for you, posing as you. After a lot of persuading, your friend agrees to help and heads out to write the test in your place. As the TA is checking student ID’s, the TA realizes that the student writing the test and claiming to be you is not the same student that has been attending classes all semester. The TA takes steps to confirm their suspicions and confirms the identity of your friend. The next day, both you and your friend receive emails from the instructor, asking to speak with you both about the test.

The Issue

Having someone impersonate you (pretend to be you) during an academic assessment, either in person or electronically, is one of the most serious of academic offences. Both the person being impersonated and the impersonator are subject to sanctions under the Code, which may include multi-year suspensions. If you’re an international student, this could mean that you need to leave the country while suspended.

Smart Strategies

  • Writing tests or exams; Personal care
  • Talk to your Professor/instructor or your department’s undergraduate advisor if you are struggling with your academic work.
  • Make use of office hours, and ask questions whenever you don’t understand. Asking for help is never a sign of weakness.
  • Start planning early in the term to manage your workload and meet the many deadlines in your courses.

Range of Consequences

For a discussion of consequences see Key Consequences.