Exam ethical dilemma

[JDNaman]

Hi. I’m a high school student and I’ve done a geography controlled assessment. I’m British and I don’t know whether this kind of thing exists in America and other countries, but it’s basically like coursework except it’s meant to all happen in school and under controlled conditions. (I say exam because that’s simpler in a title.)

My controlled assessment is basically finished and has been marked, but my geography teacher says I could add a few things and make a few minor improvements to bump up the grade, so I should go to one of the extra after-school sessions being provided to do these things under his and the other teacher’s supervision. However, according to the rules of the exam board this shouldn’t happen; we shouldn’t edit our work in any way after it’s been marked, and I’m pretty sure the teachers have to sign some document to say that they’ve followed all of the rules. So they shouldn’t be letting us do this and I wonder whether I should do as he says or not.

I a very similar question, about the same controlled assessment to my vicar (I’m Anglican) and he said that it was a shame my teacher didn’t have more integrity but it wasn’t my job to tell him what he can or can’t do so I should just comply and co-operate with him. Admittedly, this was on a similar but possibly ethically different question on doing some of the work unsupervised when that was against the exam board’s rule, when I wasn’t going to cheat anyway, not on improving it after it’s been marked.

What should I do? Should I go along and co-operate with my teacher or am I being complicit in something that’s wrong? Some answers by tomorrow morning would be appreciated? Thanks.

 

[Veronica97]

You should most definitely not add anything to your already-marked assessment. Cheating on your exam is a lie, and your conscience is reminding you of this. Tell your teacher you’re willing to go to the after-school program in order to improve your KNOWLEDGE so that you might do better NEXT time, but that you will not add anything to your exam. If he presses you, you must persist in telling him “no”. You may have to get your parents involved if this does not end the discussion. You have an opportunity to be a witness for Christ–pray for strength!

 

[meltzerboy]

Hi. I’m a high school student and I’ve done a geography controlled assessment. I’m British and I don’t know whether this kind of thing exists in America and other countries, but it’s basically like coursework except it’s meant to all happen in school and under controlled conditions. (I say exam because that’s simpler in a title.)

My controlled assessment is basically finished and has been marked, but my geography teacher says I could add a few things and make a few minor improvements to bump up the grade, so I should go to one of the extra after-school sessions being provided to do these things under his and the other teacher’s supervision. However, according to the rules of the exam board this shouldn’t happen; we shouldn’t edit our work in any way after it’s been marked, and I’m pretty sure the teachers have to sign some document to say that they’ve followed all of the rules. So they shouldn’t be letting us do this and I wonder whether I should do as he says or not.

I a very similar question, about the same controlled assessment to my vicar (I’m Anglican) and he said that it was a shame my teacher didn’t have more integrity but it wasn’t my job to tell him what he can or can’t do so I should just comply and co-operate with him. Admittedly, this was on a similar but possibly ethically different question on doing some of the work unsupervised when that was against the exam board’s rule, when I wasn’t going to cheat anyway, not on improving it after it’s been marked.

What should I do? Should I go along and co-operate with my teacher or am I being complicit in something that’s wrong? Some answers by tomorrow morning would be appreciated? Thanks.

I think you should do as your conscience dictates and not be complicit in the cheating your teacher is encouraging, assuming your teacher is aware of the rules. I would not necessarily tell your teacher why you choose not to follow his suggestion, however, unless you are pressed for the reason. I would simply decline his advice and tell him you’re satisfied with and proud of the work you have already done.

 

[jpjd]

Don’t allow someone else’s lack of integrity to sully your own integrity. Just because he is giving you the opportunity to do wrong doesn’t mean you have to take it. Be strong in the face of this temptation.

 

[red85]

Be diplomatic. Tell him you have to move on to other projects, academic or personal. Tell him you’re satisfied with your work.