International Baccalaureate body introduces measures to tackle time zone cheating. Photo: ShutterstockThe International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma programme body will require students taking the exams to be supervised for at least two hours after the assessment. The test starting times in certain schools will also be adjusted to prevent cheating.
The IB Organisation announced the new measures following its earlier investigation into “time zone cheating”, in which questions and answers of this year’s exams were leaked online and read by pupils in other countries before they took the test.
“This collaborative approach ensures measures and processes are effective and practical to prevent academic dishonesty and maintain the integrity of the IB’s assessments,” the body said.
“The IB strives to ensure fair outcomes for all students in recognition of their hard work throughout the year and through the completion of their IB diploma.”
The organisation would impose a minimum supervision period of two hours on students for all exams to help maintain academic integrity.
If a student has a single test scheduled for one hour, he or she must be supervised for a minimum of two hours in the exam venue or another dedicated space in the school.
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The authority added it would adjust starting times for exams in certain schools to minimise the chance of students taking the test in earlier time zones sharing topics with pupils elsewhere in the world who have yet to begin the assessment.
Schools would also be required to clear the memories of all calculators at the end of each exam.
In May, the organisation informed candidates it was aware that a number of students had shared information about questions immediately after their exams, and pledged to review its time zone arrangements for tests.
In the exam that was offered between April 24 and May 17, some students in Europe claimed they read leaked questions and answers provided on a Telegram channel beforehand, while others in Asia said the leak happened after they sat the test.
Screenshots were also found of a Telegram channel that contained links to questions for business management, global politics, mathematics, physics, computer science, biology and chemistry.
The leaks triggered widespread outrage and calls from students, including in Hong Kong, for the tests to be cancelled or retaken.