The assessment and prevention of answer copying on undergraduate multiple-choice examinations

Multiple-choice examination answer copying was indexed by a comparison of the numbers of items answered incorrectly, and in the same way, as adjacent and distant classmates. In Experiment I, which involved a regular university examination, significant copying did occur, did not differ from front to rear of the lecture hall, and appeared primarily among individuals seated next to one another. Copying was not related to the order in which the examinations were returned. Number correct was related to turn-in order in a U-shaped fashion. No significant copying appeared in a second experiment, where test performance did not contribute to course grade.