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Exam papers to be bugged in drive to cut cheating
Last updated at 15:37pm on 10.01.07
Tagging measures for exam papers means it will be much more difficult to get access to exam papers
Exam chiefs are planning to bug packs of exam questions to stop thieves and cheats sneaking previews of their A-level and GCSE papers.
Parcels will be tagged with radio transmitters linked to exam board headquarters, while papers will be sent to schools in special boxes with timed locks.
The high security moves are being considered by Edexcel, one of three big examining bodies.
Edexcel says security breaches are rare but that they disrupt schools and honest pupils and damage the integrity of the most important school exams.
The board is still investigating the theft of an A-level maths paper last summer. Fifty-five students were investigated and 31 received penalties ranging from warnings to loss of marks or disqualification.
Edexcel is responsible for five million papers for more than 600 separate GCSEs and A-level exams sat by 950,000 candidates at 4,500 centres.
Last summer it distributed 620,000 bags of exam papers. All schools are required to put papers in a strong safe or cabinet, in a room with solid floors, ceilings, walls and doors. Keys should be held by only two or three staff.
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