Ban All Cell Phones

• Cellphones can easily be used to cheat on exams in a number of different ways. They can be used to store information prior to the test and they can be used to text questions to friends who will then text back the answer. They can also be used to take pictures of the test that can then be sent to other students to help them prepare for the test. And cell phones with Internet access can be used to look up the answers as if the students had a computer in front of them. Avoid this by banning all cellphones. Announce to your students--several days before the exam--that all cellphones need to be left at home or in a backpack. Any cellphones not put away will be taken away until students are finished with the exam.
  
  

Ban All Other Electronics

• Graphing calculators and personal music players--like iPods and MP3 players--can all be used to cheat with. Don't allow your students to listen to their iPods or MP3 players during exams, as they can be used to prerecord test questions and answers, study guides or class notes in them. Students can easily cheat using their graphing calculators to pretype notes or test answers in them. For classes that require graphing calculators, sweep the graphing calculators to delete all notes stored in the calculator.
  
  

Ban Water Bottles

• A student can peel the label off a water bottle, write the test answers or class notes on the back of the label, then place the label back around the bottle. From the outside, you can't see anything suspicious, but once the student takes a drink, the answers and notes become very visible to him. Let your students know that water bottles aren't permitted in your class during exams. If students bring in water bottles, either inspect them well yourself or simply throw them away.
  
  

Prevent Blue Book Cheating

• Many college classes will have their students purchase Blue Books along with their regular text books. Before an exam, students can slip typed answers or notes into the books, then simply copy them into the book when needed. To prevent this, supply the Blue Books for your class and hand them out before each test. If you don't wish to supply the books--it can become costly if you have large classes--tell your students to turn in their Blue Books the day before the exam. This will give you time to flip through the books to ensure that there aren't notes or typed answers inside. Redistribute the books to your students on the day of the exam.
  
  

Prevent Student Switching

• Many colleges will have large lecture halls with 100 or more students in them. With larger classrooms, it's very difficult to get to know your students on a personal basis. This can make it very easy for student switching--when one student who know the subject or material well sits in for another student and takes his test. To prevent this, you'll have to check student IDs or driver's licenses before the exam. Although this can be time consuming, having a few teacher aides to help you will make the process go faster.
  
  

Watch for Signs of Cheating

• You may find that many students will make cheat sheets and will stick to them to the underside of skirts, hats, shirt sleeves--anywhere they can ambiguously place them. One of the best ways to prevent any kind of cheating is to always keep a close eye on your students. Instead of reading a book, getting work done on your computer or leaving the students unattended for some time, remain in the classroom vigilantly watching your students for any sign of cheating.