For as long as there has been some kind of testing process for validating intellect or capability, there have been techniques for cheating the system. In recent decades, students found it all too easy to write cheat notes on hands, arms, legs, hats and books. In those years however, the internet wasn 't available so world-wide communications did not lend themselves to aid would-be cheaters. Technology has progressed and so has the modern student. Backpacks are now filled with Personal Digital Assistants, MP3 Players, Cell phones and laptops instead of notebooks and #2 pencils. The ease at which students can now wirelessly download electronic information from the internet has created an entire generation of students whose goal is not only to pass the class, but to pass the class with as little effort as possible.
Recent studies show that even though cheating has been around among students since the dawning of organized schooling, the increase in cheating and the number of students who approve of cheating is on the rise. 70% of both college and high school students admit to cheating at some time or another. This is a 14% increase from what students said in 1993 where 56% admitted to cheating, and today 's poll for cheaters dwarf the 23% of students in 1963 who admitted to cheating.(Vencat, Overdorf & Adams, 2006)
References: Boone, R. (2007, May 6). Some Schools ban iPods as cheaters tactics evolve / teens ' music play list may also include answers to test questions. Houston Chronicle, p. 31 Frances Katz Cox News Service. (2002, January 22). Technology nabs students who cheat. Seattle Post Intelligencer, P. C3. Hasting, M., & Kolesnikov –Jessop, S. (2007). Pasting the grade. Newsweek (Atlantic Edition), 142, 55. Leake, J. (1995, April 30). Students cheat with spy technology. The Times, p. 1. Plotz, D. (1999). New frontier in cheating. Rolling Stone, p. (Cover Story ). Vencat, E., Overdorf, J., & Adams, J. (2006). The Perfect Score. NEWSWEEK, 13(147), 44-47.