UK exam body
Edexcel is to roll out Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
and micro-texting technology this summer to
increase the security of the examinations process.
The technology will be used to help prevent the theft and resale
of exam papers and to catch the cheats.
Edexcel said “a significant number” of exam packages (bags) will
contain an RFID tag. It said Exam packages would be scanned out on
despatch and can be scanned by Edexcel’s compliance team at any
time after delivery to identify the contents and ensure no papers
are missing.
In addition to RFID, Edexcel will use micro-texting technology.
This is a printing technique that shows up illegally photocopied
exam papers. Tiny marks on an original copy would now show up on a
photocopy.
Of the 620,000 bags of examination papers despatched by Edexcel
during the summer 2006 series, there were around 70 reports of
security breaches.
Suspected breaches of security include examinations packages
being opened prior to their designated date.
Jerry Jarvis, Edexcel managing director, said, “We are doing a
major trial of new techniques and technologies with the aim of
deterring potential thefts, enabling us to better identify the
source of a lost or stolen paper, and reducing the threat of fake
papers being sold to candidates.”
Edexcel’s existing security measures include using secure bags
that are identifiable as “void” once opened, and track and trace
despatch/delivery methods.
Edexcel website
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