Cheating on a quiz, a sin?

[Rbaker]

Ok so I just have a quick question, mainly to get some closure I guess. I will probably go to confession anyway, but I just wanted to hear your thoughts.

So in one of my classes, we have a great amount of quizzes, so they don’t really affect your grade too much. But some of the quizzes are to be done online and individually.

My classmate was sitting next to me when I took the quiz, and I told him I didn’t really want his help (because I didn’t want to participate in cheating) but he was peeping over my shoulder and helping me with some of the answers.

Then when I was done, he asked if he could take pictures of the quiz, so he could study them before he took it. I didn’t really want him to do so, but what am I supposed to do?

So in your opinion is this a mortal or venial sin? Or is it a sin at all?

 

[Irishmom2]

If he helped you, you cheated. What you should have done was said no to your friend that wanted a pic of the test. And in the future, take your online test when you are alone, with no help.

Just go to confession.

 

[Lou2U]

If he helped you, you cheated. What you should have done was said no to your friend that wanted a pic of the test. And in the future, take your online test when you are alone, with no help.

Just go to confession.

I agree. I can’t speak for the sin question, but if he tries to help you again in future, tell him you don’t want his help and ask him to leave you to it.

Lou

 

[Rbaker]

I found this from ewtn:

Various factors would determine whether cheating on a test is a mortal or a venial sin. For example, if it’s a pop quiz, it would probably be a venial sin, but may be mortal if it’s a midterm or final. Again, if your cheating was limited to an answer or two, not enough to make an appreciable difference in your grade, then it would probably be a venial sin, but mortal if it would make a significant difference, esp. between passing and failing.

I am usually not the scrupulous, maybe it’s because I just went to confession this weekend.

I kind of figured it probably was just a venial sin, but do you all still think I should go to confession?

 

[LiamQ]

I didn’t really want him to do so, but what am I supposed to do?

First of all, I’m assuming your friend wanted to take a picture of the results of the quiz that you got after you submitted it.

In terms of what you should do, tell him no. If he thinks you’re a dork, that’s his problem.

Academic honesty is pretty important, and even if this is just a quiz, and even if all the quizzes you take are worth maybe 8% of your final grade, colleges and universities want to make sure that students aren’t doing stuff like this. I have no idea, but it may well be the case that, if you were caught giving out questions or answers, your prof might well drop you from the course because of strict guidelines. They might wonder whether, if you’re willing to do this with a quiz, perhaps you’d do it with an exam too, such as by helping students in other sections of your class.

So just, for the future, tell your friend to take a hike. Risking things because he’s lazy isn’t worth it. And if your school is strict, and if this sort of offense might result in your getting dropped, that would certainly make this a more serious sin if you know about that and consider it.

 

[jaimeleglise]

It is most likely a venial sin, but for peace of mind I highly recommend you go to Confession.

 

[Tim_D]

if it’s a pop quiz, it would probably be a venial sin, but may be mortal if it’s a midterm or final.

And that is probably the most ridiculous thing that I have ever read on this forum.

 

[pianistclare]

And that is probably the most ridiculous thing that I have ever read on this forum.

Yup.
Look, it was wrong, period.
Mention it next time in confession, and think about the BIGGER picture.
Honesty in general. Standing up for what is right.
It’s not about rinsing off the slate so much as it is about building character, right?
Confession strengthens your resolve to sin no more. It’s a good thing.

As Liam said, academic honesty is a huge deal.
Be THAT person.

 

[PraiseChrist]

Ok so I just have a quick question, mainly to get some closure I guess. I will probably go to confession anyway, but I just wanted to hear your thoughts.

So in one of my classes, we have a great amount of quizzes, so they don’t really affect your grade too much. But some of the quizzes are to be done online and individually.

My classmate was sitting next to me when I took the quiz, and I told him I didn’t really want his help (because I didn’t want to participate in cheating) but he was peeping over my shoulder and helping me with some of the answers.

Then when I was done, he asked if he could take pictures of the quiz, so he could study them before he took it. I didn’t really want him to do so, but what am I supposed to do?

So in your opinion is this a mortal or venial sin? Or is it a sin at all?

I would tell my teacher privately about this person, since this person is leading you to cheat with him.
I’d say this in confession next time and see what your confessor tells you to do. When they approach to take a picture of your assignment, next time you can take the paper away and just leave. If they’re offering ways to solve a problem, pretend that you didn’t hear them and answer the question based on the knowledge that you had before.
If you tell your teacher, I doubt that they will punish you severely, since you approached them with your problem. They’re supposed to help you and guide you. I hope all will work out!
All the best

 

[Rbaker]

Yup.
Look, it was wrong, period.
Mention it next time in confession, and think about the BIGGER picture.
Honesty in general. Standing up for what is right.
It’s not about rinsing off the slate so much as it is about building character, right?
Confession strengthens your resolve to sin no more. It’s a good thing.

As Liam said, academic honesty is a huge deal.
Be THAT person.

Yeah I’m going tomorrow. Just went last week. Not a good start to the week for me. Appreciate the advice from all.

God bless