Proctoring an exam

I was called in as a replacement of my friend for an exam proctor today. What a new experience!

At first I was pretty stunned of how it was arranged. But thinking more of it, I think it also happened the similar way when I attended school in the U.S. -- so totally different from how we do it in Thailand.

Usually, in Thailand (or at least where I graduated from), there are name lists for students eligible to take final exams for each class. The names are matched with student ID and exam seatings are arranged according to that. All students are asked to sign the attendance sheet as proctors checking student IDs. The exam question and answer sheets are distributed accordingly.

Here in Japan, first of all, students choose their own seating. For this class I proctored, the number of students was more than individual number of table, so the students sat shoulder by shoulder. (Absolutely easy to cheat if you want to!) There was no record of who sat where. I really wonder WHAT IF the students actually cheated and copied others' answers, how could professors recognize it was because they were seated next to each other? Maybe it's the Japanese thing? Trusting? Nah.. I don't think so.. But I don't know what it was.

The thing is ... I actually saw one particular students looking over other person's paper!! I don't think the guy being looked at recognized it. This student stared at this guy's paper the whole time! Maybe he attempted to, but couldn't read this guy's handwriting, so it took him longer than usual to stare. haha. This student was piling all his stuff right next to his table which is by one side of the room. It blocked the walking way, so I couldn't walk through from the front to the back of the room or stand that close to him. I have no idea if he did it on purpose or not. But if it was on purpose, he was really something. hur hur. Anyways, I scared him by moving myself over and standing only 10 meters away from him once in a while. It was really funny cuz every time I moved closer to him, he completely stopped staring and facing the opposite while keep on writing something on his paper. I have no idea what he wrote. Also I have no idea if his answer was anything relevant. But hey.. maybe I was helping him writing something on his paper without looking at someone else's answer! haha. (Forgot to tell, it was the essay writing exam on 1 question) I really wonder what this student thought of me. Weren't I evil? \(^^)\

Anyways, I will have one more exam to proctor next week. Hopefully this guys doesn't take that course, otherwise he will surely receive my great attention! ieie. (someone said no second chance, right?) Proctoring an exam made me have to get up so early in the morning. I think I yawned in the exam room too. haha.

P.S. I have come to realize that when students were proud of all the cheating tools they use and never get caught, it was actually not because of student's cheating skill, but it was because the proctors' generousity. You can see absolutely nearly EVERYTHING happening in the exam room if you pay enough attention! =P

P.P.S. I got a VDO and pictures from the Foreign Student Music Festival today from the event staff. Already watched it... and .. er... there were so many funny shots! Riding on that chance, I had a great chatting at the cafe with one of them (Tamura-san) this afternoon. :)