Think students can’t cheat in practical assessments? Don’t bet your teeth on it

In 2014 dentistry pracs at the University of Sydney one student smuggled a previously prepared (plastic) tooth into an exam and another removed a tooth from a dummy for better access. Wendy Currie, Susie Dracopoulos and Graham Hendry report the incidents led to a “complete review” of assessment practises which appear to have worked. The authors report no incidents of academic dishonesty in practical exams since, although they ask “does this mean the new processes have been effective or have the students simply found smarter ways to cheat? ” (Thanks to a learned reader for the pointer)