Prosperous cheats

For an increasing number of high school students it seems hard work is no substitute for cheating in examinations. It is evident in many high schools all around the world. At one school, bags of ‘cheat sheets’ (i.e. small pieces of paper taken into tests to help students cheat) were discovered.

With cheating being accepted and widespread in many countries, the methods of cheating are in demand. The most popular method is simply a photocopy of the answers in a miniaturized form that is easily hidden; complete textbooks have been reduced to one-quarter of their size and taken into exams. Some students even make hand-written miniature copies – time that surely would have been better spent studying. However, these do-it-yourself products are often too big or alternative – they go to homes and shops around their schools, where cheat-sheet production is a successful industry. This sort of business makes a good profit as the required investment is tiny and demand for cheat sheets is growing every year.

The photocopy operators choose the smallest possible letter size in the most readable font and separate the information into columns. Each column is then cut into thin strips and put in order. The columns are sometimes as small as two centimetres wide; however, the average size is closer to twenty centimetres in length. To use cheat sheets effectively, students fold them so that they can easily be held between the fingers or concealed in the palm of the hand. Students use their fingernails to turn the pages.

The cheat sheet industry is mostly located near big universities that have private study centres, and at its centre are photocopy shops, which act as manufacturers and distributors.

For many students a university education is a means to a better life. Poor families dream of changing their children’s futures by helping them earn university degrees. However, in many countries being accepted by a university is difficult, and many students turn to cheating when the pressure to succeed becomes too great. Further, students’ abilities may not match their desire to secure entrance to university. Bright students feel less confident when they know cheaters are taking the test with them. Consequently, the bright students bring cheat sheets too.

Although many parents disapprove of cheating they believe that it is difficult for their children to be honest when they know others are not. However, the risks are high because students who are caught cheating may be disqualified.

The bad effects of cheating hurt not only the education system, but society as well. Is it really safe to have responsible positions, such as a doctor or an airline pilot, held by people who have qualified without really learning anything? Surely, it is better for everyone if people have the correct knowledge and training necessary for the position they hold.