Examination malpractice refers to any deliberate act of wrongdoing, contrary to the rules of examinations designed to give a candidate an undue advantage. It is a pervasive issue in todays educational landscape and has far-reaching consequences on the academic, personal, and ethical development of students. Some of the key features of examination malpractice include:

• Cheating: This is the most common form of examination malpractice, where students engage in activities such as copying from others, using unauthorized materials, or communicating with others during the exam.

• Impersonation: This involves a person taking an exam on behalf of another person, usually for a fee.

• Question paper leakage: This is when exam questions are leaked before the exam, giving some students an unfair advantage.

• Forgery of results: This involves altering exam results to improve ones grades.

Examination malpractice undermines the fundamental purpose of assessments, which is to evaluate students understanding and mastery of the subject matter. When students engage in cheating or other forms of malpractice, they deprive themselves of the opportunity to truly learn and comprehend the content. As a result, their knowledge remains shallow and incomplete, which not only hampers their academic growth but also affects their ability to apply knowledge effectively in real-world scenarios.

Examination malpractice also has personal and ethical consequences. It deprives students of the opportunity to develop essential skills and qualities needed for future challenges. Through cheating, students bypass the process of critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical reasoning that examinations are designed to assess. The act of examination malpractice tarnishes students reputation, both within the academic community and in the wider society. When individuals are known to cheat, their accomplishments lose credibility, and their integrity is called into question. This loss of respect can have lasting consequences on their personal and professional relationships.

In conclusion, examination malpractice is a serious issue that affects the academic, personal, and ethical development of students. It is important for educational institutions and stakeholders to take measures to curb this menace and promote a culture of academic integrity.