How to Stop Yourself from Cheating on a Test: 9 Steps (2024)

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Co-authored byTed Dorsey, MA

Last Updated: August 31, 2023

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Have you got a big, important test or exam coming up that you didn't review for? Are you considering taking a sneaky glance at someone else's paper or peek into your book to boost your mark? Well, don't or you'll feel guilty later! This article will help you stop yourself from cheating on a test, if you have an urge to.

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  1. 1

    Understand that even if you do pass, it won't be because you worked hard. Most people feel guilty after they cheat, and you won't feel proud of yourself. Imagine, if you get caught while cheating, you will be cold-heartedly punished and will be humiliated throughout the whole school year, or even after that! So stop cheating and work hard to make yourself and your parents proud.

  2. 2

    Remember that unlike the rest of your grades, you will have done nothing to earn it. If you cheat on a test, you will consequently cheat on the next time as well. Therefore, you will rely a lot on cheating and will barely study. This is why cheating can become a habit!

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  3. 3

    Know that by cheating, you aren't actually learning the information. You may be happy with a high score through cheating, but this will make your teacher think you're really smart when really you're not. This can cause them to have higher expectations of you, and you could be put in harder classes, which you won't be able to pass because you don't actually know the material.

  4. 4

    Review your notes and try your best and learn from your mistakes. Revise your notes routinely. It will help you to memorize faster and better. If you continually look over your notes, you will always be prepared for any exam, even if it’s a pop quiz.

    • In addition, you can try making flashcards or your own study guide to help you review for tests.
  5. 5

    Learn that if you do badly on one test, it will teach you to review for the rest! If there's still a bit of time left, tell a teacher that you are unprepared and they might go over areas and help you out. If your grades are dropping in a certain subject, you will be encouraged to work hard next time. Know that cheating is morally wrong. It’s better to get a really bad score than to ruin your reputation by cheating.

  6. 6

    Know that if you get bad results, you'll study next time. A bit of time left, tell a teacher that you are unprepared and they might go over areas and help you out. If your grades are dropping in a certain subject, you will be encouraged to work hard next time. So avoid cheating, and work hard.

  7. 7

    Remind yourself it's okay to get bad grades. Tests are tests but finals are never final because they never prepare us for the real test, which is survival.

  8. 8

    Know that if you are caught, you will get a zero. If you get caught while stealing a glance at someone else's paper, you'll be humiliated in the school while your parents or legal guardian will intensely punish you.

  9. 9

    Remember that you may score poorly even with cheating. Sometimes, when you cheat from someone, the person herself/himself hasn't prepared and is writing every answer wrong.

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  • Question

    How should you prepare for a big exam?

    Ted Dorsey, MA
    Academic Tutor

    Ted Dorsey is a Test Prep Tutor, author, and founder of Tutor Ted, an SAT and ACT tutoring service based in Southern California. Ted earned a perfect score on the SAT (1600) and PSAT (240) in high school. Since then, he has earned perfect scores on the ACT (36), SAT Subject Test in Literature (800), and SAT Subject Test in Math Level 2 (800). He has a BA in English from Princeton University and a MA in Education from the University of California, Los Angeles.

    Ted Dorsey, MA

    Academic Tutor

    Expert Answer

    Have a plan. Know when the test is. Know what you know and what you don't and work on those things. You want to work on your areas of weakness, but you also want to work on your areas of strength. It's often easier to move on the curve on a section that you're already good at. Start with a calendar and say, "I'm going to take the test in 12 weeks, what can I do in that time?" If you know what the time frame is and you know what your needs are, you can meet them.

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  • Question

    How can you keep from getting bored while you're studying?

    Ted Dorsey, MA
    Academic Tutor

    Ted Dorsey is a Test Prep Tutor, author, and founder of Tutor Ted, an SAT and ACT tutoring service based in Southern California. Ted earned a perfect score on the SAT (1600) and PSAT (240) in high school. Since then, he has earned perfect scores on the ACT (36), SAT Subject Test in Literature (800), and SAT Subject Test in Math Level 2 (800). He has a BA in English from Princeton University and a MA in Education from the University of California, Los Angeles.

    Ted Dorsey, MA

    Academic Tutor

    Expert Answer

    Staying engaged while you're studying is essential. One option is to talk yourself into liking it. Pretend and say for example, "This passage about DNA is fascinating". The other option would be to try to find something that can relate to your own life within a passage or within a math problem and say, "I'm interested in this for this reason." You're going to be more motivated to solve it.

    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHow

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      Tips

      • Don't beat yourself up if you feel you aren't prepared. Even the best, brightest students at school occasionally go into an exam feeling like they don't know it all. It's still not a reason to cheat, though.

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      • Again, think about it. Is a better test score obtained by cheating worth regretting? Is it worth your self-respect? Your parents/teachers' trust? Your own honor? Was it worth that extra bit of TV? Think about it.

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      • Move yourself away from others, this will help you to keep your eyes on your own test.

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      Warnings

      • You can get caught off guard while cheating in exams, the brighter student you are, the worse it will be when you are caught cheating. Your friends will keep humiliating you throughout the year or more. Don't cheat even if you are not a bright student, you could still get caught!

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      • The consequences of cheating in college are getting a zero and expulsion. If you get expelled from college for any reason at all, then Adult Education is your only option.

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      • Cheating is taken very seriously in schools! If you are caught, expect to receive a failing grade on the assignment!

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      • Consider that the person who you are cheating off of got the questions wrong as well. Therefore, it doesn't make sense to cheat with the possibility they have the answers wrong.

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      About This Article

      How to Stop Yourself from Cheating on a Test: 9 Steps (31)

      Co-authored by:

      Ted Dorsey, MA

      Academic Tutor

      This article was co-authored by Ted Dorsey, MA. Ted Dorsey is a Test Prep Tutor, author, and founder of Tutor Ted, an SAT and ACT tutoring service based in Southern California. Ted earned a perfect score on the SAT (1600) and PSAT (240) in high school. Since then, he has earned perfect scores on the ACT (36), SAT Subject Test in Literature (800), and SAT Subject Test in Math Level 2 (800). He has a BA in English from Princeton University and a MA in Education from the University of California, Los Angeles. This article has been viewed 88,319 times.

      303 votes - 80%

      Co-authors: 18

      Updated: August 31, 2023

      Views:88,319

      Categories: Cheating

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