'Help' a Colleague with an Exam

[Toffolossus]

I recently did an exam and passed first time. The exam is a tricky one and does not have a high percentage pass rate. Recently my manager asked me to 'help' a colleague by sitting with her whilst she does the online exam. He explicitly told me that it was to 'help' her with her answers rather than give moral support. (I don't work directly with this colleague.)

I feel really uncomfortable about doing this as I view this as cheating. I am guessing my manager does not think of this as cheating, as theoretically anyone doing this exam could have 'help' in this way as it is conducted online and there are no checks to validate who is actually inputting the answers. I am also annoyed that when I did the exam, I had no help. However, I have messaged the colleague to offer my help should she have any questions about the course content.

How do I navigate this as I do not want to be present whilst she does the exam?

Just say no. Explain you're happy to help with the course content or any revision questions she has, but that you aren't prepared to help with the live exam questions as it undermines the qualification and you don't feel it's ethical.

Ask your boss why you're being asked to commit fraud. Then report them to your governing body.

I would say no obviously as it devalues the exam you took.
You could offer to coach your colleague before hand and suggest this would be better long term as your colleague might actually remember something from your training (vs a one time help during the exam).

I’m surprised this is even possible tbh, I thought these days on-line exams had to be done with a webcam checking your background etc to confirm you can’t cheat.

This is a bit weird. My only experience of online exams is tech (software) ones
but with those your camera is on, you are only allowed your laptop, keyboard, mouse and headset. At the beginning you have to move your camera to show that your desk is clear apart from those items. They are very strict.

If the exam is hard to pass and you passed it then you are devaluing both your own skills and the qualification itself if you help someone cheat.

It is cheating.

Is this an exam for a professional body with exam / professional conduct regulations? Or at least terms & conditions of enrolling or sitting the exam?

If so, refer your manager to them. If not, do you have HR?

Even sitting with someone for "moral support" during an exam would be misconduct unless it was part of approved alternative arrangements for a disability.

I would refuse. But then I also think an exam with such a lax examination process is probably a bit meaningless anyway.

What (kind of) exam is it? Is it set by the employer or a regulatory body, or some other external source? Is it needed for advancement in your role?

Weird. When I’ve taken external exams online they are really strict about the set up and invigilation. I had to install special software. You have to sign non cheating agreements etc with a penalty of dismissal from the course and obviously disqualification from the exam.

Your can’t help in the exam itself. It’s dishonest and doesn’t say much for the ethics of your boss that you’ve been asked to do this.

At most, i would offer tips on exam technique and help with topics they were struggling with. Even then, that would be going over and above. No reason you should help at all.

Thanks for your replies. I agree that if I sat and helped them in the exam it would be devalued and dishonest. I am not going to do it. So far, I have laughed it off and played dumb.

To answer some questions ... there is no HR as it is a small company where my manager owns it. Yes, the exam is for a professional body, but this body has quite dated technology, so there is no online camera etc.