The government set a strict response policy to push for criminal punishment, beyond limiting eligibility to sit for the test, if smart glasses are used to cheat on the 2027 College Scholastic Ability Test scheduled for next month.
In the plan on responses to cheating using smart glasses on the CSAT released on the 29th, the Ministry of Education said, “Cheating using smart glasses is regarded as intentional and premeditated with the aim of disrupting the proper administration of a national exam, and we will respond strictly, including filing complaints and requesting investigations, so that criminal punishment can be imposed for obstruction of the performance of official duties by fraudulent means and for interference with business.”
According to the Ministry of Education, in 2005 there was an organized cheating scheme that transmitted correct answers using mobile phones, and at the time, those involved were sentenced to eight months in prison with two years of probation.
The Ministry of Education also plans to push a measure to raise from one year to three years the suspension period for eligibility to take the CSAT for those who cheat, as set in the Higher Education Act, to enhance the effectiveness of sanctions against cheating using smart glasses.
In addition, the ministry will actively recommend to universities that the same sanctions apply to cheating using smart glasses not only on the CSAT but also on university-specific exams.
Regarding exam cheating, including the use of smart glasses, the Ministry of Education plans to actively support teachers who supervised in good faith so they are not held responsible or harmed. In particular, starting with this CSAT, one dedicated staff member per test site will be designated and assigned to determine whether smart glasses are being used.
The ministry is also pushing to introduce detection equipment. It will review the feasibility of using radio frequency detectors for test sites that are being developed by specialized institutions and will closely examine whether to distribute them to CSAT test sites next year.
An official at the Ministry of Education said, “We will continue to pursue measures to create a fair and stable testing environment for test-takers and to reduce the burden on and improve the treatment of proctors.”
