The problem of open cheating and invigilator compliance in the Lebanese Brevet and Baccalauréat examinations

This paper describes a study on examination room cheating during Lebanese Brevet and Baccalauréat examinations with a focus on ‘open cheating’ – malpractices which are aided and abetted by examination invigilators. Findings suggest that the problem is widespread and is largely attributable to the empathy invigilators feel with candidates. The collectivist ethos which has earlier been applied to collusion among cheating students appears to extend to invigilators during these high-stakes external examinations. It is suggested that behaviour modification strategies through organisational changes to the conduct of the examinations will be more effective than character development strategies in the short term.