Cheat-resistant multiple-choice examinations using personalization

Multiple-choice examinations offer the ability to grade quickly as well as being able to assess concepts and understanding in a wide range of subjects. Consequently, many large classes use multiple-choice examinations. One problem, however, is that multiple-choice examinations are more prone to cheating than constructed-response style examinations. Multiple-choice examinations offer limited answer options, and these limited options can lead to sharing answers through collusion or gleaning answers from unwitting peers. To counter such cheating, this paper investigates a personalization approach to examinations whereby every student gets their own version of the examination that is different to the rest of their peers. Such personalization approach not only counters cheating, but also encourages students to focus on concepts rather than just answers. A software framework that facilitates generating personalized examination papers is developed, and the paper reports on the experience of using the approach in large classes. It discusses the administrative, technical, and pedagogical challenges posed by personalization and how these challenges might be overcome using the framework as well as accompanying processes. Surveys indicate that both students and staff are positive about using such a system.