In order to support candidates sitting IFoA assessments, we have put together the following information which outlines examples of inappropriate conduct. We also provide further details on how we identify and consider possible breaches of the IFoA assessment regulations and exam rules by candidates sitting online or in an exam test centre.
You should view this guidance along with our exam rules (online or exam test centres versions) and our assessment regulations, which reflect our closed book exam requirement.
Please note this guidance refers to our session based (April and September) examinations, as well as CB3, PPD and any other form of assessment such as Professional Skills.
What is inappropriate conduct?
Inappropriate conduct is:
Any action or attempted action that may result in a candidate or student of the IFoA gaining an unfair advantage during IFoA assessments, or any other part of the qualification process.
Inappropriate conduct in IFoA assessments includes (but not limited to):
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the presentation of another person鈥檚 work as your own. This could include the copying of text from internet webpages, study materials (including IFoA past Examiner reports) and written content taken from other original sources.
Plagiarism can also include submitting your own previously assessed work, known as self plagiarism.
The IFoA assessments are closed book therefore access to non permitted materials (including study materials, notes and internet resources) during the assessment would be considered a breach of the exam rules and assessment regulations.
Collusion
Collusion is any unauthorised collaboration or communicating between candidates during assessments.
Cheating
Cheating is any attempt to obtain or to give assistance in an examination or assessment without acknowledging this occurred.
Personation
Personation usually involves getting someone else to assume your identity (pretend to be you) and sit your assessment, with intent to deceive or gain unfair advantage.
Personation also includes getting someone to produce work for you, which you knowingly submit as your own.
Use of assistive or generative tools
Use of assistive or generative tools which could potentially give an unfair advantage over other candidates. As an example this includes the use of generative AI (artificial intelligence) tools such as ChatGPT, as well as various types of translation software.
Exam misconduct
Misconduct during an assessment includes, but not restricted to:
- Attempting to access the examination question paper before the examination has started
- Attempting to continue to type or amend your submission after your allocated exam time has ended
- Sharing information relating to the assessment with other candidates during the examination period. The examination period covers the time from when the first candidates begin the assessment until the end time for the final candidates, including those with access arrangements. Once your assessment is over you may want to discuss the exam with others, but you must not contact any other candidate until the assessment is over for all candidates, including those who have additional time.
- Failure to abide by the behaviour and conduct conditions as set out in the exam rules (for in-person and remotely invigilated exams)
For in-person invigilated exams
- Possession or use of a non permitted item during the assessment which may or may not give an advantage.
- Leaving the exam room at a prohibited time or failing to alert the invigilator (with the exception of prior agreed access arrangements)
For remotely invigilated exams
- Failing to adhere to exam room or equipment requirements (as detailed in the exam rules for remotely invigilated exams)
How does the IFoA protect against inappropriate conduct in exams?
The IFoA takes the integrity of our exams and guarding against inappropriate conduct very seriously.
Our assessment regulations and exam rules provide clear guidance on expected behaviour during an assessment and what is considered inappropriate conduct.
With the delivery of our assessments carried out both online and in exam test centres, we have a number of measures in place to prevent and detect inappropriate conduct during an IFoA assessment.
These include:
- online proctoring/in-person supervision
- identification verification
- single exam start times
- exam question review
How does the IFoA identify that inappropriate conduct may have taken place?
Identifying possible breaches of IFoA assessment regulations can involve:
- use of software
- review/monitoring of exam behaviour
- exam markers highlighting concerns, or
- whistleblowing
Whistleblowing
You can report suspected inappropriate exam conduct by contacting examintegrity@actuaries.org.uk.
Any information provided to us will be treated in the strictest confidence.
What happens once possible inappropriate conduct has been identified?
Each possible breach of our assessment regulations or exam rules will be reviewed. Such reviews will be carried out by IFoA executive staff in the first instance, and may also involve a referral to an Education Actuary or other Subject Matter Experts for feedback if deemed appropriate.
This review process acts as a filter to make sure that only cases where there is substantial cause for concern will be followed up.
At any stage during the review process possible breaches of the assessment regulations or exam rules can be and are dismissed where it is deemed appropriate to do so.
Contacting candidates about possible breaches of our assessment regulations or exam rules
Following the review process, we write to candidates who have breached the assessment regulations or exam rules to advise them of their conduct. In our communication we provide an explanation as to the breach which has occurred and in most cases, we will confirm the related outcome for this.
If it is determined that a case needs further consideration in order to determine an outcome, then the candidate will receive an opportunity to respond in writing to the concerns we have raised. The candidate鈥檚 response can include any evidence that they think is relevant and will be taken into consideration when reviewing the case. In some instances, cases will be presented to an IFoA inappropriate conduct panel for an outcome decision.
Once the investigation has been completed, an outcome letter will be provided to the candidate confirming the reasons for the decision.
Ensuring a fair process
We recognise that being notified that a possible breach of assessment regulations or exam rules has occurred can be a worrying time for a candidate. Therefore, we want to do as much as possible to keep this distress to a minimum. We make every effort to complete a full analysis and communicate an outcome prior to the release of exam results. However, on occasions this may not always be possible due to factors which are outside of our control, but we will communicate updates to ensure those impacted are kept informed of the progress of the investigation.
Each case we identify will go through a predetermined review process, ensuring the same level of scrutiny is applied to all candidates consistently. The exact process for review will be determine by the nature and severity of the possible breach identified. More severe cases of inappropriate conduct will be presented to a panel for review.
What are the likely outcomes if it is determined that inappropriate conduct has taken place?
The IFoA treats any finding of inappropriate conduct in either its assessment or qualification processes as a very serious matter.
An outcome can range from a formal warning or advisory letter, to a disqualification period from sitting the IFoA assessments, depending on the severity of the inappropriate conduct which has occurred. It is also possible that a case may be dismissed.
In some circumstances a case of inappropriate conduct may also be referred to the IFoA Disciplinary Panel to be investigated but these cases are very rare.
Is it possible to appeal an inappropriate conduct outcome?
Candidates have the opportunity to appeal the outcome of an inappropriate conduct investigation, including those that may be referred to disciplinary.
Visit the website to find more information on the appeal process.