No evidence of mass cheating in medical entrance exam, investigation finds
There was no mass cheating during Flanders’ medical school entrance exam last month, according to Education minister Zuhal Demir, and no need to organise a new exam.
Her comments are based on a report by the examination board due to be released on Wednesday following complaints of possible use of ChatGPT by students during the exam. Several legal proceedings were initiated, the chair of the examination board resigned and Demir immediately ordered an investigation.
The results of the investigation are now known. Data analysis of the exams, carried out by various external partners, show “no indication of large-scale fraud”, the board’s report says.
It does not mention how many cases of possible fraud were detected, though it is believed to be between 20 and 30. The next step is to provide the examination board with a detailed description of the patterns identified and determine which participants exhibited suspicious behaviour.
In addition to the data analysis, a random check was carried out on computers used for the examination. However, this “quickly revealed that there was little suitable data available at the examination locations and that this data was also very fragmented”, the report says.
"The participants who, based on our investigation, did not act correctly will have to appear before the examination board"
Demir concludes that a “limited number of candidates were caught cheating”. The fact that fraud was possible is “scandalous” and she repeated her previous message that the system will be overhauled.
However, because there was no evidence of mass cheating, she believes a new exam is not necessary.
“The participants who, based on our investigation, did not act correctly will have to appear before the examination board,” she said. “The board will make the final decision on exclusion.”
Candidates who just missed out on a place studying medicine because of possible fraud will be reconsidered. The examination board will shortly decide how this will happen, but the intention is that they will be able to start their training in the meantime.
Demanding programmes
Students must pass a central entrance exam to study medicine, dentistry or veterinary medicine in Flanders. The intention is to ensure that only well-prepared and motivated candidates enter the demanding programmes. The number of available places is determined each year by the Flemish government.
The exam is made up of a knowledge test in science and maths, and a skills and attitudes test assessing reasoning, communication and ethical awareness. Candidates must pass both sections and all who succeed may enrol. Exams are held at more than 70 locations across the region.
Belgium’s French-speaking universities also have a pre-enrolment entrance exam for medicine and dentistry, typically held in late August.
#FlandersNewsService | Illustration shows the medical entrance exam for Flemish students at GO! Atheneum Etterbeek, in Brussels, July 2022 © BELGA PHOTO HATIM KAGHAT
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