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| 'Cheating watches' warning for exams | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Teachers have complained about "cheating watches" being sold online to give students an unfair advantage in exams. | Teachers have complained about "cheating watches" being sold online to give students an unfair advantage in exams. |
| These digital watches include an "emergency button" to quickly switch from hidden text to a clock face. | |
| The watches hold data or written information which can be read in exams. | The watches hold data or written information which can be read in exams. |
| But a deputy head from Bath has warned about the scale of this "hidden market" and says it could tempt stressed students into cheating. | But a deputy head from Bath has warned about the scale of this "hidden market" and says it could tempt stressed students into cheating. |
| Watches are advertised on Amazon with the claim that they are "specifically designed for cheating on exams". | Watches are advertised on Amazon with the claim that they are "specifically designed for cheating on exams". |
| One model promises 4GB of electronic storage for text files or images, to be read on the screen of the watch. | |
| If the "emergency button" is pressed, the other buttons on the watch are disabled, as the watch switches to a conventional digital clock face. | If the "emergency button" is pressed, the other buttons on the watch are disabled, as the watch switches to a conventional digital clock face. |
| This "watch for easier studying" is also marketed as being compatible with a mini wireless earpiece. | This "watch for easier studying" is also marketed as being compatible with a mini wireless earpiece. |
| Another advert promises a watch that is "perfect for covertly viewing exam notes directly on your wrist". | Another advert promises a watch that is "perfect for covertly viewing exam notes directly on your wrist". |
| Another is offering a new model for this year with 8GB capacity, which could hold video files. | Another is offering a new model for this year with 8GB capacity, which could hold video files. |
| Smart watches or digital watches with concealed content would be covered by rules banning electronic devices from exam halls, such as mobile phones or any other computer technology. | Smart watches or digital watches with concealed content would be covered by rules banning electronic devices from exam halls, such as mobile phones or any other computer technology. |
| But Joe Sidders, deputy head at Monkton Combe Senior School in Bath, has contacted the BBC to warn that the rise of small wearable devices risks becoming a "nightmare to administer". | But Joe Sidders, deputy head at Monkton Combe Senior School in Bath, has contacted the BBC to warn that the rise of small wearable devices risks becoming a "nightmare to administer". |
| "I expect the hidden market for these sorts of devices is significant, and this offering on Amazon is just the tip of the iceberg," he said. | "I expect the hidden market for these sorts of devices is significant, and this offering on Amazon is just the tip of the iceberg," he said. |
| The deputy head says that it is irresponsible to try to sell such items to under-pressure pupils, who might get caught and disqualified from all their exams. | The deputy head says that it is irresponsible to try to sell such items to under-pressure pupils, who might get caught and disqualified from all their exams. |
| He wants exam boards to take a tough line on this - and to challenge businesses making such devices available. | He wants exam boards to take a tough line on this - and to challenge businesses making such devices available. |
| And he raises concerns that if such devices were in wide circulation it would call into question the validity of results. | And he raises concerns that if such devices were in wide circulation it would call into question the validity of results. |
| There is a model on Amazon on sale in the US for $61 (£43) which can be shipped to Europe. It is also advertised in the UK but described as currently unavailable. | There is a model on Amazon on sale in the US for $61 (£43) which can be shipped to Europe. It is also advertised in the UK but described as currently unavailable. |
| Another advert for the UK market has a cheating watch for £44, but via a US-based seller. There are also "cheat pens" on offer, which allow students to conceal information inside a pen. | Another advert for the UK market has a cheating watch for £44, but via a US-based seller. There are also "cheat pens" on offer, which allow students to conceal information inside a pen. |
| Cheating watches are also advertised on eBay or can be bought online directly from retailers. | Cheating watches are also advertised on eBay or can be bought online directly from retailers. |
| The Joint Council for Qualifications, speaking on behalf of exam boards, said schools should tell students "what is and what isn't allowed in the examination room". | |
| "A candidate found in possession of anything used for cheating - like these watches - would be reported to the awarding organisation whose examination was affected. | |
| "This could result in the student being disqualified from the exam and the overall qualification." |