Reducing Cheating Opportunities in Online Test

Abstract This paper focuses on reducing cheating opportunities of online test assessment. Increasing use of online test in all course presentation formats (online, blended/hybrid or facilitated) has elevated faculty concerns of cheating. Efforts by educators to reduce cheating have been ongoing and with some success but, as the results of a study reported here more is needed. Two sections of a course, one online and one onsite were offered the same semester, with the same instructor, syllabus, textbook and tests. The online students took all tests online. The onsite students took all exams online except the last two tests and final exam which were paper and pencil taken in the classroom. Online students scored higher than onsite students on all tests with one exception were significantly higher when the onsite students took the paper and pencil tests. Online testing introduces a new testing environment that requires more thought and care to reduce cheating and uphold academic integrity