Altering Exams or Assignments

Altering Exams or Assignments

This violation may take many forms, including the following:

  • Changing incorrect answers and requesting a favorable grade adjustment after the instructor returns graded assignments or exams.
  • Changing the letter or numerical grade on an exam or assignment after the instructor returns the work or has assigned the course grade.
  • Obtaining the exam of a classmate who received a higher grade than you, changing the name to your own, and then asking that your grade be changed to the more favorable grade. 

This violation is a form of fabrication. Fabrication can be a serious violation. Penn State is in Pennsylvania, so Pennsylvania laws apply, and some forms of fabrication are illegal in Pennsylvania. The following are examples of fabrication that could result in a criminal record and legal fines or lead to jail time:

  • Fabricating information on a transcript
  • Fabricating information on a college diploma
  • Fabricating information on a medical note
  • Fabricating another's signature

Continue to the next section
Academic Integrity Violations