FORMS, FACTORS AND CONSEQUENCES OF CHEATING IN UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS: Insight from Open and Distance Learning Students

The present study narrated the forms, factors and consequences of cheating in university
examinations by Unisa Open and Distance learning students from anecdotal data. The
results showed that the perpetrators mostly used crib materials on paper, ruler and
calculator cover. The factors that influenced examination cheating were gender, age
range and regional locations of candidates. The consequences were monetary fines and
suspension periods. The limitation of the study is that inferences are based on
documented evidence only without verifications through interviews. The study provides
some recommendations that may provide Registrars of universities with insight to
tighten up examination regulations so that the credibility of degrees universities offer is
upheld through awarding degrees to deserving students only.