Students sitting exams and taking qualifications broke Scottish Qualifications Authority rules on 173 occasions in 2024 - up from 141 in 2023, new data shows.
The most common form of so-called “candidate malpractice” was plagiarism.
There were 92 instances of plagiarism last year, compared with 54 in 2023. A total of 31 of the plagiarism cases in 2024 involved the use of artificial intelligence. Last year was the first time the SQA tracked the number of plagiarism cases involving the use of AI.
Teachers have asked for more detailed subject-specific guidance on the use of AI so they are better equipped to stop students from using it to cheat.
Students breaking SQA rules
The SQA recorded 40 instances of students using mobile phones when prohibited from doing so in 2024 - up from 38 instances the previous year.
Students were caught using notes when prohibited from doing so on 19 occasions in 2024 (down from 27 in 2023), and they were reprimanded for frivolous or offensive content on six occasions (up from fewer than five in 2023). There were 12 incidents of collusion (down from 16 in 2023).
The most common penalty in 2024 was “cancellation of component”, resulting in the loss of marks gained from the component in which malpractice was identified. This penalty was used on 135 occasions.
Five awards were cancelled and 30 warnings were issued in 2024.
The figures, published by the SQA, also show that 424 concerns were logged about the conduct of staff in schools and colleges in 2024 - double the number logged in the previous year.
However, the SQA report’s on centre malpractice says this increase reflects the reintroduction of coursework in a number of subjects and levels.
It says that while the total was up on the 212 concerns logged in 2023, it was “close to that recorded in 2019”. In 2019 some 421 concerns were logged.
The report says: “In 2024 105 concerns were investigated to a conclusion. Of these, 75 led to a finding of malpractice.”
The most common issue identified was “assessment conditions not applied - level of direction”, indicating instances where schools and colleges did not adhere to prescribed guidelines to support learners during their assessment.
In 2023 there were 42 findings of centre malpractice following investigation, and in 2019 the figure was 171.
Protecting ‘credibility’ of qualifications
The SQA says it will continue to work with schools and students “to promote ethical assessment practices and safeguard the credibility of Scottish qualifications”.
It adds that it will continue to monitor trends in malpractice and adapt its processes accordingly, “particularly in response to the evolving landscape of assessment and the increasing prevalence of AI technologies”.
Martyn Ware, SQA’s director of policy, analysis and standards, said: “The release of these reports underscores our commitment to transparency and accountability in addressing malpractice. We are actively addressing the issues highlighted in the reports by providing centres and candidates with guidance on the appropriate use of AI in assessment.
“While any kind of malpractice is unacceptable, the number of concerns identified from national qualification candidates should be seen in the context of the return of full course assessment to graded national courses in 2024, which included the reintroduction of the coursework component for many subjects and levels.”
For the latest in Scottish education delivered directly to your inbox, sign up for Tes’ The Week in Scotland newsletter
