Malpractice

Malpractice procedure for Cambridge English Qualifications (CEQs)

Cambridge (and in the case of IELTS, together with British Council and IDP Education Ltd) has a responsibility to candidates, test centres and other stakeholders to ensure the integrity of our examinations. This is done by putting in place robust measures to identify and deal with instances of candidate or test centre malpractice, including the use of statistical checks based on sound research and cases of suspected irregular conduct.

Irregular conduct is any action which gives or aims to give unfair advantage to a candidate or causes disadvantage to other candidates. Cambridge warns centres and candidates of the potential consequences of malpractice through the following:

Examples of malpractice include, but are not limited to:

• obtaining or allowing unauthorised access to examination material
• using or trying to use unauthorised material, e.g. notes, study guides, mobile phones
• copying/collusion or attempted copying/collusion
• disruptive behaviour or not following the instructions of an invigilator, supervisor or Centre Exams Manager/IELTS Test Administrator, e.g. use of mobile phones or other electronic devices
• impersonation (pretending to be someone else)
• altering any results document, including certificates/IELTS Test Report Forms
• any other form of cheating or gaining of an unfair advantage.

Cases of suspected malpractice may be reported in the following ways:

• by a member of centre staff, e.g. a report from an invigilator, supervisor, CEM or speaking examiner
• by an examiner, e.g. unusual incorrect answers, shared by candidates who were sitting next to each other
• by statistical analysis of candidates' answer sheets (see below).

Once reported, potential malpractice cases follow a process of investigation by Cambridge staff, which may lead to results being permanently withheld. In the case of IELTS, potential malpractice cases are also investigated by the Investigation Teams of British Council, IDP Education Ltd, and IELTS USA.

Timeframe

The malpractice procedure can start at any point between the exam day and results release. In instances where new evidence of malpractice is discovered, or for computer-based testing where results windows are shorter, or where evidence is not provided on time, the malpractice procedure may run after results release.

Post-test statistical analysis

In line with best practice, we investigate potential malpractice by carrying out a range of statistical analyses on individual candidate results, pairs and groups of candidates in test venues and the overall results of all the candidates from one test sitting or across sittings.

These analyses may include, but are not limited to:

• comparing the similarity of response patterns, or marks, between two or more candidates
• comparing the performance of a candidate on one test paper to their performance on the other papers
• comparing the performance of a candidate on one test date to their performance on a previous test date
• assessing the likelihood of certain responses and scores given the overall ability of a candidate
• checking unusual activity on systems for digital tests.

In each case the analysis assesses the likelihood of any given pattern of results or scores being found by chance, given the typical pattern observed in the rest of the test population (based on historical candidate data).

Any cases which are identified as being unusual may then be further scrutinised by the malpractice team. All available evidence is checked by staff before a decision is made on whether to withhold results.

If we have reasonable grounds to suspect that a result is not a reliable indicator of a candidate’s ability, or if we have reasonable grounds to suspect that exam regulations have not been complied with, then we believe it is in the interests of all candidates that we withhold it. It is important to understand that decisions are made using the evidence available, and that decisions are made based on levels of confidence in a result and/or compliance with regulations; it is not about proving malpractice has happened, instead it is about ensuring that only results we are confident in are released.

Malpractice Decision Making

Cambridge has trained malpractice team which looks at cases, assessing all relevant information. After carefully considering the case, the team will decide whether the candidate's result should be released or permanently withheld. The centre is then asked to inform the candidate.

If it is decided that a candidate's results can be released, the original results will be issued, unchanged. If it is concluded that the results should be permanently withheld, the candidate will not receive a result. In the case of IELTS, candidates found to have engaged in malpractice may also be banned from taking the test in future.

This procedure is designed to ensure that all decisions are consistent, fair and based on the fullest information available. We aim to complete the investigation of suspected malpractice cases within eight weeks of the test date. In the case of IELTS, some investigations may take longer to complete.

There is an appeals procedure for candidates who wish to appeal against a decision to permanently withhold their result. Information about the appeals procedure can be found on the enquiries and appeals page.

Cambridge English Qualifications: Malpractice Procedure step-by-step guide

Results

As stated in section 3.4 of the Cambridge English Regulations, the malpractice procedure may dictate that affected candidates do not receive results, or their result may be cancelled after it is issued.

• You might get your result later than others in your group
• Your result might be cancelled before it is released
• Your result might be cancelled after it is released if concerns are raised after the release date
• We may cancel or withhold results for an entire exam session, where there is evidence an exam session has not been securely administered
• We may share malpractice information with recognising institutions/government organisations and with organisations/government organisations who receive candidate results for various purposes.

Step 1: Suspected malpractice is identified

A candidate is identified for suspected malpractice by sources such as (but not limited to):

• the centre
• an examiner
• statistical analysis of their responses
• a Cambridge English investigation (such as an inspection)

Step 2: Malpractice case is created

We create a case for each candidate and take the following action:

• temporarily withhold the candidate’s result (if not yet released) or
• withdraw the candidate’s result (if already released)
• contact the centre and request any supporting information that may be relevant to the malpractice case e.g. the venue’s room plan, invigilator records, etc.

Step 3: Malpractice sift

Cambridge analyses the malpractice case using our established criteria to decide whether the case should be submitted for further investigation by the malpractice team. These criteria are designed to filter out cases that do not merit further review.

• If the case does not meet the criteria, we resolve the case and release the result.
• If the case needs further review and investigation it will advance to Step 4.

Step 4: Preliminary review and investigation

We review and investigate the case. We will release the result if there is not sufficient cause for concern, or we will contact the centre to request a statement from each candidate involved. The statement gives the candidate a chance to represent their view of events. The candidate provides the centre with a statement, which the centre then sends to Cambridge. Candidates under 18 can be represented by their parent or guardian if they wish.

The candidate’s statement should include:

• their personal response to the suspected malpractice concern e.g. acceptance or denial of the suspicion.
• any mitigating circumstances the candidate feels that Cambridge should consider.

Step 5: Malpractice Review

If we do not receive the candidate’s statement, within two weeks of our request, we will proceed with the malpractice review without it. Once we receive the candidate’s statement, all available evidence for the case is reviewed by our trained staff.

The candidate can provide a statement at any later appeal stage. The malpractice team reviews the case and decides to permanently withhold or to release the candidate’s result.

Step 6: Outcome

We provide a confirmation of the final decision to the centre.

If the decision is to release the result, the candidate will receive their result via the normal channel.

If the decision is to permanently withhold the result, the candidate will not receive a result.

A candidate can appeal against a final malpractice decision by requesting a Stage 1 Appeal via their centre. Centres can access detailed information via the Enquiries and Appeals Procedure.

Additional information:

• The processes described in Steps 1–6 above are designed to allow for robust protections of our qualifications.
• All decisions are made on the information that is supplied to the Malpractice Review Panel within the timeframe set out above.
• The Malpractice Review Panel will seek to make a reasonable assessment on the facts presented.
• The candidate is deemed to have accepted and understood the regulations by sitting the exam and it will be for the candidate to prove that
  • any discretion sought is appropriate, or;
  • that a decision made via the above process is not in itself a reasonable outcome for the Malpractice Review Panel to have reached.

Further information

For further information or advice please contact the Cambridge English Helpdesk team.