Hi-tech helper to catch exam cheats

A company in Gloucestershire is leading the way in the fight against hi-tech exam cheats.

According to official figures from the exam watchdog Ofqual, more than 4,400 pupils were caught cheating in last year’s GCSEs and A-levels.

And as a result of the mobile phone boom, many students are turning to ever more sophisticated technology to help them cheat the system.

But one firm in Cirencester has come up with a handheld device that can help schools and colleges fight back against the constantly changing techniques being used in the exam hall.

Mobysafe was set up by electronics engineer David Spurr four years ago and it launched a new scanner six months ago that can detect mobile phones using 2G and 3G to connect to the internet.

Surveillance sector

Mr Spurr, who has a background in the technology and surveillance sector, said: “When we first started looking at the technology we were coming at it from the aspect of privacy.

“We were marketing the equipment at sports centres and swimming pools, where there could be problems with people taking inappropriate pictures on handheld devices, but since the report about the increase in exam cheating the phone has not stopped ringing.

“The idea of taking a camera into a public changing room would shock people but that is exactly what is happening with mobile phones.”

Schools are not allowed to jam mobile phone networks and other kinds of equipment are too expensive for budgets already stretched to breaking point.

According to Ofqual, students turn to mobile phone technology as the main way to cheat as some companies are targeting them with the latest technology such as concealed ear pieces.

Cheats have also been known to download information onto handheld devices such as iPods and MP3 players.

Every exam centre now has to display posters warning students not to bring mobiles or other electronic equipment into exam halls.

Mr Spurr said: “Since the report came out the phone has not stopped ringing and we have got a series of meetings lined up.

“The technology we sell is simple to use and relatively inexpensive.

“Schools are finding this a bigger and bigger problem and have a real job on their hands just keeping up with the technology. There are 6,500 secondary schools and colleges in this country so it is a big market for us.”

Kathleen Tattersall, chairman of Ofqual, said: “As regulator it is our role to ensure that fair systems are in place and that these are followed correctly.

“We require that awarding bodies report annually on the number of candidates notified as having particular requirements and the number of malpractice incidents reported and investigated.

“These figures provide invaluable information regarding the examination season and allow us to check that the systems put in place to protect learners are followed.”