Exam Misconduct: What You Need to Know
KCLSU Advice is completely separate from King's. We offer free, impartial and confidential advice to all King’s students on issues affecting their studies. This includes students who have been accused of exam misconduct.
As exams continue, some students may find themselves worried about mistakes they’ve made during an assessment or unsure whether something they did could count as misconduct. We want to explain clearly what exam misconduct is, give examples, and explain what happens if concerns are raised.
Remember, exam misconduct can happen accidentally, and it is your responsibility to understand and follow the rules of your exam.
What is exam misconduct?
Exam misconduct relates to time-constrained assessments, whether they take place in person or online. Essentially, it refers to situations where exam rules are broken, deliberately or accidentally.
A student may be accused of exam misconduct if an invigilator identifies concerns relating to:
- Concerns about academic integrity – for example, where an invigilator suspects a student of cheating during an exam, such as finding revision notes in the exam hall.
- Breaking exam rules – exams have clear rules that invigilators should explain before the assessment begins. For example, opening an exam paper before being instructed to do so or continuing to write after time has been called.
Examples of Exam Misconduct
Exam misconduct can cover a wide range of behaviours.
One of the most common examples is students having or using a phone in the exam hall. This often happens accidentally. Even if your phone is switched off and left in your pocket, it can still count as exam misconduct. Phones should be switched off and placed in your bag before the exam begins.
In 2023/24, other examples of exam misconduct referred to misconduct committees included:
- Having unauthorised revision notes in an exam
- Accessing an online exam from a remote IP address
- Collusion with or copying from another student
You can find further examples of exam misconduct in King’s guidance.
If you are unsure about the rules for your exam, speak to your department or an invigilator before the assessment starts.
What are the possible outcomes of Exam Misconduct?
We know this process can feel very stressful and frightening, but try not to panic. If concerns have been raised about your exam, contact KCLSU Advice as early as possible so we can help you understand the process and explain your options.
If a student is suspected of exam misconduct, the invigilator must report the concern to Student Conduct & Appeals at King’s, who will then investigate further.
There is usually a preliminary investigation stage where Student Conduct & Appeals may ask to speak with you. KCLSU Advice can attend these meetings with you.
Possible outcomes of a preliminary investigation include:
- No action being taken if there is no case to answer
- A warning being issued, which is recorded internally
- A full investigation proceeding to a misconduct committee hearing
If a case goes to a misconduct committee, outcomes can vary and may be serious.
Possible outcomes of a misconduct committee
In 2023/24, there were 66 cases of exam misconduct. In 21% of cases, the student was expelled. In 50% of cases, the student received a mark of zero with permission to re-sit for a capped module mark. Other outcomes included a mark of zero with no re-sit permitted (17%), warnings (8%), and in a small number of cases, the allegation was not upheld (5%).
If you are accused of exam misconduct, KCLSU Advice can support you. Every case is unique, so we cannot guarantee outcomes. However, we can help you understand the process, explain your options, review statements, and attend meetings and hearings with you. Please do reach out for support.
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