Test Centre Security: Why Every Detail Matters, Even the Paper

At VICTVS, maintaining academic integrity is non-negotiable, and in most exams, this means preventing candidates from leaving with any note paper. While it may seem like overkill to those outside of the assessment space, we know that this is an important step in preventing cheating.

Most exam bodies already require note paper to be collected, but we go further. We have created our own serialised note paper, designed to streamline the process and make it easier to trace notes back to individual candidates in cases of suspected malpractice.

Our serialised note paper will be used in every VICTVS exam, so clients can remain confident we are doing all we can to prevent cheating and preserve academic integrity.  With our services now available in every country in the world, and test centres in over 3,000 locations, we continue to set the standard for secure exam delivery on a truly global scale.

To read more about how our serialised note paper will benefit your exams, click here.  You can find out more about our services here.

The VICTVS Exam Hack 2025

The annual VICTVS Exam Hack returns this July – the only time we ever openly invite candidates to cheat in an exam.

Participants will sit an exam hosted by VICTVS and work alone or in pairs to cheat without being caught by our expert invigilators.  The cheat can be carried out using old school analogue methods or digital tools, and the most creative entry will be rewarded with a $1,000 cash prize.

Why do we do this?  Because staying ahead of new cheating methods is more crucial than ever, as the technology we used everyday continues to evolve. By hosting the hack, we can keep an eye on new and developing methods of malpractice, ensuring that we can continue to adapt and lead the way in exam security and integrity.

To find out more about the VICTVS Exam Hack, click here, and watch our YouTube trailer below. 

The VICTVS Podcast, ‘Revision Notes – February’ COMING SOON

In our upcoming episode of The VICTVS Podcast, we bring you the second edition of Revision Notes, the series where we discuss the latest in assessment and education news, as well as any VICTVS news.  This month, we are focusing on cheating in the news as we prepare for the VICTVS Exam Hack 2025.

To be the first to watch this episode, subscribe to our YouTube channel.  You can also catch up with previous episodes there, or listen via Spotify and Apple Music. 

Other News 

• China’s Supreme Court Calls for Crack Down on Paper Mills:  China’s supreme court has called for lower courts to crack down on ‘paper mill industry chains’ and for research fraud to be severely punished.  This comes after a large number of cases against paper mills were brought to lower courts – not in cases of academic fraud, but by customers who never received the writing they paid for and who were suing for non-fulfilment of contracts.  More on this at Nature. 
• The Exam Struggles of Visually Impaired Students:  The Irish advocacy group Féach, which supports parents of blind and visually impaired students, has been raising awareness regarding Ireland’s “ad-hoc” and poorly modified exam papers, as well as issues regarding extra time.  In one instance, examiners thought a student was deaf and not blind.  More at IrishExaminer.
• UK Universities Warned to ‘Stress-Test’ Assessments as 92% of Students Use AI:  A survey of 1,000 students showed an ‘explosive increase’ in the use of generative AI in their studies, with 88% specifying they use tools like ChatGPT to help complete their assessments.  When asked why they use AI, 51% cited time-saving benefits, while 50% also claimed it improved the quality of their work.
• ‘Contract Cheating’ Uncovered in University Scandal:  Dozens of students at the University of East Anglia were found to be using essay mills to complete assessments as part of their economics masters course.  In the academic year 2023/24, 69 cases of cheating were recorded at the university, up from less than five in each of the previous four years.  More at the Telegraph. 

Thanks for reading our newsletter.  Please subscribe using the form in the sidebar if you would like to receive future editions directly to your inbox.

Katherine Barnett