SQA require all candidates entered for SQA qualification courses to complete these according to the required conditions of assessment, and without any type of malpractice.

Malpractice by a candidate can occur, for example, in:
♦ the preparation and authentication of coursework
♦ the preparation or presentation of practical work
♦ the compilation of a portfolio of assessment evidence
♦ the completion of an examination paper, or the controlled write-up stage of externallyassessed coursework
♦ conduct during or after an assessment

The main categories of candidate malpractice are:

1. Breach of assessment conditions — Breaching the defined assessment conditions, such as completing work outside of controlled conditions.
2. Collusion — Colluding with other candidates when the assessment should be completed by individual candidates. Examples of collusion include copying work from another candidate; sharing work with another candidate; and/or working collaboratively with other candidates on tasks that should be completed individually.
3. Frivolous content — Producing content that is unrelated to the exam paper, or to any question that is in the exam script or coursework.
4. Misconduct — Behaviour in the exam room that causes disruption to others. This includes talking, shouting, abusive or aggressive behaviour or language, and having a prohibited electronic device that emits any kind of sound in the exam room.
5. Offensive content — Content in scripts or coursework that includes vulgarity and swearing that is out with the context of the assessment, or any material of a discriminatory nature (including racism, sexism and homophobia).
6. Personation — Assuming the identity of another candidate or a candidate having someone assume their identity during an assessment.
7. Plagiarism — Failure to acknowledge sources properly and/or the submission of another person’s work as if it were the candidate’s own.
8. Prohibited items — Physical possession of prohibited items (including mobile phones, electronic devices, handwritten notes, etc) in the exam room.

Where there is any suggestion of malpractice, it must be investigated fully.  Where malpractice is found to have occurred, it can lead to 

• Warning
• Warning with Revision of Marks
• Cancellation of a component
• Cancellation of a full award

It is therefore extremely important that all candidates are aware of possible malpractice.  SQA provide the following booklets to support candidates:

SQA “Your National Qualifications” Booklet

SQA “Your Exams” Booklet

Please ensure that both of these booklets have been read, in advance of completing any SQA Coursework, or SQA Exams.