Your Reaction on Cheating, Essay Example

While you are taking an exam, you notice that your neighbor is referring to note cards she has laying in her lap. What will you do about this? Justify your answer.

It is important that students maintain fair academic standards, which is unquestionably undermined in this example.  It is certainly not tolerated at this institution, and thus action must be taken if this unfortunate situation were to occur.  Regardless of the type of assignment, students are not able to break the rules of the institution to gain an unfair advantage.  In situations such as these, it is important that the individual take action in order to preserve the integrity of the situation (such as the test, in this example).

The first point that must be made is that something must be done.  Regardless of how someone may approach the situation, some type of action needs to take place.  It is morally wrong to cheat on a test or exam, and certainly any type of assignment in this context.  It is not fair to the institution, and similarly not fair to other students who have invested themselves into their work.

In my judgment, immediate action is probably best in this example.  The first thing I would do is to approach the instructor or individual in charge of the exam.  Then the appropriate person could be made aware of the situation, in order to respond accordingly.

Of course it is also vital that discretion be used.  I personally believe that asking to speak to the appropriate person outside of the classroom would be best.  This would allow the distraction to be minimized, so that perhaps other students would not be as distracted as they might be if they were to hear about the situation.  Additionally, this would not put pressure on the instructor, or other appropriate individual, to take immediate action upon the person who is using her notes.  The correct response is certainly up to the professor; keeping it away from the attention of other students will allow the instructor to approach the situation without pressure and with discretion.

An alternate approach exists in waiting until the exam is over.  This would further lessen any distraction, as well as take away any discomfort from the person who makes the instructor aware of the situation.  This alternate method is another approach that one could take.

However I personally believe that someone in this situation should take immediate action.  While it is not a catastrophic difference from the latter approach, it seems right to act right away in regards to the situation.  I feel that it is best to place the situation into the instructor’s hands as quickly as possible, so that I would then be able to focus on my exam and what I need to do, as far as the classroom is concerned.

Ultimately it is vital that action be taken in a situation such as this.  Students cannot be allowed to utilize unfair means to better grades.  It represents poor judgment to take advantage of the classroom by cheating.  It also represents a lack of respect of the institution and of other students to act in this manner.  Unfortunately this practice does occur in various situations, however.

In my approach to this speculative situation, it is important that students be aware of practices such as these.  The lack of cheating at a higher institution provides an inherent level of respect that is felt in an institution such as this.  Students should not hesitate to preserve such meaningful representations.  As prospective students into the program, by maintaining this level of character, we are able to act as the professionals in which we would be trained.