Online test bank could lead to cheating
College students looking for test study aids will have the opportunity to access past exams by using the College Wikis Test Bank Web site.
The Test Bank site includes copies of previous tests given by professors at certain schools. Tests range from a Harvard Computer Science test to a Binghamton Cell Biology test.
On their Web site, the developers of the site have posted a disclaimer stating “This is meant for past exams only — these are to be used as study guides only when allowed by school policies and your professors. Please do not upload anything that is not allowed.”
Though the site is intended to be used as a study tool, some worry that students will use the tests to cheat or plagiarize instead.
“In terms of it being a concern there are huge numbers of resources available that can be properly and improperly used,” said Sara Klymkowsky, chairperson on the Honor Code Council. “It is the responsibility of every CU student to ensure that their own actions reflect their values and the values of the CU community.”
On the site, students are encouraged to upload tests that have been approved. However, other tests that teachers do not want released also make it to the site.
If the College Wikis site becomes an exchange site of unapproved tests, it is possible that the situation could lead to violations of the CU Honor Code.
“This is a definite concern,” said Lal Zimman, a doctoral candidate in the Linguistics Department. “A lot of professors do not update their tests which could be a definite concern for future tests. Technology has made academic dishonesty easier, but it has also made it easier to catch.”
Despite the tempting allure of the site, students say they do not plan on using it.
“I probably would not use it, unless a professor had said to look there for information,” said Katie Boraz, a sophomore psychology and pre-journalism major. “It is a good idea, they just need to come up with a better way to make sure that it is not used improperly.”
Contact Campus Press Staff Writer Zach Keller at john.keller@thecampuspress.com.
