PUNE: The Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) has caught 42 students, mostly from the engineering and technology fields, cheating while appearing for the online term exam, thanks to an audio proctoring feature that captures test-takers’ environment for additional sounds and noises.
The examination began on July 12.
Mahesh Kakade, director, examination and evaluation, SPPU, said some of these cases have been registered due to audio-proctoring.
The university had used only image-capturing artificial intelligence-based proctoring methods in the last examination held in April-May when 360 students were caught cheating during the exam.
As per the university officials, the students were taking screenshots of the question papers and sending them to exclusive social media groups. Someone from these groups would then send the correct answers to them.
From this term, the university included audio proctoring into its invigilation method. An audio proctoring software uses a test-taker’s microphone to identify minute details, such as whispers, low sound levels, mumbling, and other such inconsistencies, to ensure a secure assessment environment.
The university officials refused to reveal further details of the process of proctoring, citing confidentiality.
A senior official said, “The first thing a student will do if we tell how the proctoring method works is to go online and check how to bypass it. Hence, we are trying to keep it under wraps.”
Kakade said that most of the students caught cheating the last time and even this term are from the engineering and technology fields.
“My advice to students is to refrain from using any unfair means and appear for the examination honestly. All students who have used unfair means have been punished. Some would not be marked for the examination if they were found cheating, while some of them would be told to repeat the entire term, apart from paying the fine. Isn’t it better to just attempt the examination honestly than suffer the consequences of indulging in malpractices,” said Kakade.
He said that the university was trying hard to upload the results on time. “The examination of the engineering faculty will be over within a few days. Since we had tried to complete the final-year examinations of all faculties on priority, it will be completed by August 10. If everything goes smoothly, we will also be able to declare the results from August 15 onwards,” said Kakade.
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