Candidate Malpractice: A Step-by-Step Guide to Avoiding Exam Violations

Everything You Need to Know About Candidate Malpractice and How to Avoid It

23 April 2025 Michelle Lombard

Why Understanding Candidate Malpractice is Important

As you prepare for your upcoming exams, it is essential to understand what candidate malpractice is and how to avoid it. Engaging in malpractice, whether intentionally or accidentally, can have severe consequences, including disqualification from your exams. This guide will take you through the different forms of malpractice, provide practical examples, and give clear steps to ensure you stay within the rules.

Step 1: Understand What Candidate Malpractice Is

Candidate malpractice refers to any action that breaches exam regulations and compromises the fairness and integrity of the examination process. Malpractice does not always involve an intention to cheat; many cases arise due to a lack of awareness about the rules. Exam boards take malpractice seriously to ensure that all students are assessed fairly, as outlined in the Cambridge Handbook 2025.

Examples of Candidate Malpractice:

Bringing Unauthorised Items into the Exam Room
Example: You forget to remove your mobile phone from your pocket before entering the exam hall. Even if you do not use it, possessing it is considered malpractice.
Copying from Another Candidate
Example: You glance at another candidate’s answer sheet during the exam and copy a few responses. Even a single copied answer is considered malpractice.
Communicating with Others During the Exam
Example: You whisper to the candidate next to you, asking for a spare pen. Even innocent communication can be seen as an attempt to cheat.
Plagiarism in Coursework
Example: You submit an assignment with sections copied directly from the internet without proper referencing. This is considered plagiarism.
Having Notes or Cheat Sheets
Example: You accidentally leave handwritten notes in your pencil case. Even if you do not use them, simply having them is malpractice.
Impersonation
Example: You ask a friend to sit your exam for you. This is a serious offence and could lead to a permanent ban from future exams.

Step 2: Know the Consequences of Malpractice

If you are found guilty of malpractice, the consequences can be severe, including:

A warning was issued to the candidate.
Loss of marks for a specific section, unit, or qualification.
Disqualification from one or more exams.
Debarment from taking future exams for a set period.
A permanent record of malpractice that may affect university applications.

The penalties listed in the Malpractice and Exam Regulations include disqualification and permanent records on academic transcripts. Exam boards take malpractice seriously to maintain fairness and integrity. The best way to protect yourself is to follow the rules carefully.

Step 3: Take Preventive Action

Now that you know what malpractice is, here are practical steps to ensure you do not accidentally engage in it:
Before the Exam

Read the Exam Regulations. Familiarise yourself with the rules provided by your exam centre. If you are unsure about anything, ask your teacher or exam officer. Check the official Exam Day Rules to stay compliant.
Always check the Exam Day Rules issued by Cambridge to ensure you’re not unknowingly breaking the rules: familiarise yourself with the rules provided by your exam centre. If unsure about anything, ask your teacher or exam officer.
Check your equipment: only bring permitted materials, such as a transparent pencil case, a calculator (if allowed), and your ID. Leave all unauthorised items, including mobile phones and smartwatches, outside the exam room.
Arrive early: give yourself plenty of time to settle in so you do not make mistakes under pressure.

During the Exam

Listen to the invigilator’s instructions: Pay close attention to avoid making mistakes.
Keep your eyes on your own work: even if you are not trying to cheat, looking around too much can raise suspicion.
Do not communicate with anyone: if you need assistance, raise your hand and wait for the invigilator.

For Coursework & Assignments

Avoid copying and plagiarism: always write assignments in your own words and properly reference any sources used.
Do your own work: if the coursework is meant to be done individually, do not collaborate with friends.

Step 4: What to Do If You Are Accused of Malpractice

If you are accused of malpractice, remain calm and follow these steps:

Ask for details. Politely request clarification on what you are being accused of and the evidence against you.
Explain your side. If you believe it was an honest mistake, explain the situation clearly and honestly.
Most exam boards have a process to appeal malpractice allegations if you feel you have been wrongly accused. Refer to JCQ’s guide on Understanding and Avoiding Malpractice.

Step 5: Maintain Academic Integrity

While this guide focuses on candidate malpractice, it is important to understand that exam centres also have responsibilities. Centre malpractice or maladministration occurs when exam staff fail to follow the required policies and procedures. This can include improper handling of exam papers, failing to follow invigilation rules, or not reporting suspected malpractice.
Sanctions for Centre Malpractice:

Written warnings to staff.
Suspension or debarment of the staff involved.
Additional monitoring and inspections.
Restrictions on examination and assessment materials.
Withdrawal of centre recognition.

The Head of Centre is responsible for ensuring that all staff follow exam regulations outlined by their Awarding Organisations and report any suspected malpractice. Centre staff must follow the Malpractice Guidelines to avoid administrative violations.

Step 6: Maintain Academic Integrity

Upholding integrity in your exams is not just about avoiding malpractice; it is about valuing honesty and fairness. Your qualifications should reflect your true abilities and the hard work you have put in.
Centre staff must also follow the Malpractice Guidelines to ensure proper handling of exam administration and to avoid maladministration.
By following these steps, you can ensure that you avoid malpractice, protect your academic record, and focus on achieving your best possible results in your exams.

Sources:

Cambridge International Education (2025). Cambridge Handbook 2025. Read more
Cambridge International Education (n.d.). ‘Malpractice and Exam Regulations’. Read more
Cambridge International Education (n.d.). ‘What to expect on the day of your Cambridge exam’. Read more
Cambridge International Education (n.d.). ‘What is malpractice and maladministration, and how do I report a suspected case? Read more
JCQ. ‘Understanding and avoiding malpractice’. Read more
Cambridge International Education. ‘Malpractice Guidelines’. Read more