Chinese exam authorities have resorted to the use of technologies such as facial recognition and drones, to catch the cheating students, out of the high stakes in the Chinese annual university entrance exams, the gaokao.
The high stakes in the Chinese annual university entrance exams, the gaokao, have seen to increased cheating by students to make the cut. In an effort to catch cheats, the Chinese exam authorities have resorted to the use of technologies such as facial recognition and drones.
China is with one of the highest populations in the world, a competitive place to be. The competition for resources undertakes as early as in school with such exams as the gaokao. The exams are so competitive that a high number of students resort to cheating to pass them. The students have tried to use various cheating methods including smart gadgets disguised as belts, watches, erasers, pens, shoes and even earpieces so small it is hard to detect.
However, the examination authorities in China, have also arranged measures to ensure that the cheating does not spiral out of hand. For this year’s exams, to present according to a media report, the government had used facial and fingerprint recognition technologies, metal detectors, wireless detectors, mobile phone signal jammers, drones and other technologies to stop cheating and catch those attempting to cheat.
A report from the Xinhua News Agency, Shandong province university students were not allowed to take leave on Tuesday and Wednesday to prevent any attempt of students from impersonating other students when taking the exams.
52 people were arrested in relation to the exam cheating fiasco even before the exams kicked off, that shows the seriousness of the matter. These arrested in connection with the exam cheating had to face up to 7 years in jail.
Multiple choice exams including Mathematics and English are most prone to cheating. However, essays are tough to cheat given that they require each student to think on their own and come up with the right answers. Even better thing is that each province is given its own topic to handle in the essay section. The disparities in the topics ensure that no one can cheat and that each of the student has a focus on their specific own topic.
