Investigating academic misconduct and mark checks

Examiners have responsibilities for investigating matters that run alongside examining processes including investigating suspected academic misconduct and undertaking mark checks upon request.

Investigating suspected academic misconduct

For suspected academic misconduct where the assessment was submitted prior to 1 October 2023, please see: Staff guidance document - Suspected academic misconduct'.

For suspected academic misconduct, where the assessment was submitted on or after 1 October 2023, Examiners have different responsibilities for investigating and sanctioning academic misconduct, which includes investigating all reports of academic misconduct, and having wider powers to sanction academic misconduct where found. A comprehensive guide and templates are available here: Examiners academic misconduct guidance.

Ongoing guidance and support on Artificial Intelligence is available via the Blended Learning Service / AI and Education.

For further case-specific advice contact the Office of Student Conduct, Complaints & Appeals (OSCCA) at oscca@admin.cam.ac.uk.  

Mark checks

The Examination Review Procedure requires all Departments or Faculties to provide a 'mark check' process. This is a requirement of the external ombudsman, the Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA).

The mark check process can be carried out in whatever way that the Department or Faculty considers most appropriate, this might require the student to submit an application or for the College Tutor or Director of Studies to approach the Department or Faculty in the first instance. The mark check process should be advertised to students. Where requested by the student, the Department must be able to:

  • check that the student's marks on individual questions/papers have been added up correctly
  • ensure all of the student's answer booklets etc have been marked by the examiners
  • check that any reasonable adjustments relating to the marking of the student's assessments have been put in place

It is likely to be in everyone's interest to put a time limit on requesting a mark check - this should be a reasonable amount of time, whilst the Department or Faculty still has access to the necessary records.