Setting: walking into the exam room.
As you are waiting to take your exam, you see a sign at the front that says “No electronic devices permitted.”
You see classmates putting their phones in their pockets.
In this scenario, you should not bring your phone into the exam: not even if it's in your pocket! If there is no safe place to store your phone (or other electronic devices) during the exam, ask your instructor or the exam invigilator what you should do.
Phones and electronic devices are so common these days, it can seem harmless when your classmates put their phones in their pockets when entering an exam room. However, if you contradict the examination rules set out at the start of the exam and you are caught, you will automatically fail the exam. If you have any questions on these policies or need an exception, speak to your instructor before the exam.
Remember: if someone needs to reach you in an emergency, let them know in advance where you will be and indicate they may contact the Polytechnic directly to reach you. If you know in advance that someone may be trying to reach you (e.g. a pregnant loved one), talk to your instructor or exam invigilator; many testing locations, such as the RDP Testing Services, have a process for these circumstances.
Setting: writing the exam in the exam room.
You look around and see your classmate looking at her cell phone. A little while later, you look up and see her looking at her phone again.
You think to yourself, “I can’t believe the exam invigilator has not seen her yet! She should not be using her phone!”
If you feel comfortable, you can signal to your instructor or the exam invigilator what you have seen. They will respond during the appropriate time.
Finding yourself in this situation during an exam can be frustrating. The student you are observing is violating academic misconduct policies and is disrupting the assessment. Rest assured, the exam invigilator makes note of students who are cheating, and they will address the issue after the exam is over to avoid disrupting the whole class.
Though it may appear no action is being taken, academic integrity is held in high regard at RDP. The instructor or exam invigilator will follow up any academic misconduct after the exam.
