Having a friend write a test

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

You and your friend live together in residence.  You are struggling in school and your friend is a stronger student. You have an upcoming test that you are panicking about. If you don’t do well on this test, you will fail the course. You beg your friend to write the test for you. After much coaxing, your friend finally agrees to help and writes the test in your place. At the test, as the TA is checking student ID’s, the TA realizes that the student writing the test as you is not the same student that has been attending classes all semester. The TA takes steps to confirm his suspicions and confirms the identity of your friend.

The Issue

Having someone impersonate you, either in person or electronically, is a serious academic offence. Both the individual impersonated and the impersonator are subject to sanctions under The Code.

Smart Strategies

• Writing tests or exams; Personal care
• Visit your library and academic writing centre which may offer assistance in academic services.
• Talk to your Professor/instructor or your department’s undergraduate advisor if you are struggling with your academic work.

Range of Consequences

For a discussion of consequences see Key Consequences.