Cheaters Go to Hell

Alright.  I’m doing it- I’m giving in and writing about a subject that most readers never want to encounter more than they are forced to- exams.  There’s definitely something to be said about this cruel (for both the students and teachers) time here in Korea.  And as much as this blog is written for those back home, it’s also a testament to everything I’ve done while in this foreign country, which I will undoubtedly look back upon in 10 years and be so satisfied with the hours that I spent poured over the keyboard.

Having a type-A personality, I was highly disappointed if my grades fell anything short of an A.  Honestly, there were definitely times in college when I was frustrated because if I hadn’t botched that one homework sheet I would have gotten an A, but instead I earned an A-.  Whomp Whomp.  But no joke.  I wanted As, and only As, even in classes where students literally failed, not just once, but twice. 

Being a biology major is a full time commitment, to say the least.  Surrounded by cut-throat, pre-med students, my type-A personality got completely caught up in the lifestyle.  However, regardless of the pressure to perform, come test time, I never cheated.  Unlike some students, it just isn’t in my nature.  But I understand, if school isn’t your priority and squeezing by is, even if that requires cheating, then fine, I’m not going to call the police… I’m just not going to join you.

Anyway... while cheating in the U.S. is as casual as sweatpants, cheating in Korea is as restricted as crossing the DMZ.  During these dreaded, sleepless 3 days, my students take anywhere between 10-12 written exams, calculating out to 3-4 exams a day!  But they literally take exams in every subject- Korean, English, Science, Math, Chinese Characters, GYM, ART- literally every subject.

While most students struggle to finish their English, Korean, and Math exams, it takes circa 20 minutes to finish gym and art, followed by a nice little nap on their desks.  Yep, you guessed it, they can’t leave after they finish.  As there are positives and negatives to every situation, it sucks that they can’t prepare for one of their next 3 exams, but then again they’re also forced to think about their test and have a full 45 minutes to make any necessary changes.

And forget about cheating.  Mission Impossible Part 4: Cheating on a Korean Exam.  In each classroom there are 2 monitors- one in the front and one in the back.  Each desk is arranged in a single, straight line, with the closest person more than an arm’s reach away.  Furthermore, in a room with 5 rows, 3 rows consist of one grade, while the other 2 consist of another grade, in alternating fashion.

Oh and they must write in pen.  But what if they make a mistake?  Well just crossing it out is considered cheating, so the monitor must stamp/sign their mistake, noting that the student crossed out the information during the 45 minute test period.

And we can’t forget about the time that one answer sheet was found on the floor at the end of the day.  Which obviously meant that a) all of the teachers were scolded and b) the students almost had to retake a new version of the exam.  Three hundred kids retaking an exam because one child forgot to hand in their answer sheet… I see no logic.  But its part of their system in preventing cheating.

But what if a student is caught cheating?  Accompanied by a big, fat zero, you are scolding in front of all the teachers, beaten, embarrassed, and potentially forced to attend classes at the Wee Center (a counseling center for naughty children).

One would think students would avoid cheating as much as they avoid the sun, but some audacious students still have that urge to write notes in their pencil case, on their shoes, or put a nice little cheat sheet in their desk.  But, more likely than not, they will get caught cheating.  YIKES!