China cracks down on cheating at world's largest test

Beijing: China has begin a crackdown on sale of high-tech devices that
can be used for cheating as 9.3 million students prepare to take the
world's largest standardized test, the national college entrance
examination.

Authorities have launched an exercise to prevent the sale of high-tech
devices that might be used to cheat in the tests that will be held
across the country from June 7-9, Xinhua reported.

In the past two months, eight gangs involved in selling devices such
as wireless earphones and transmitter-receiver sets that allow their
buyers to listen in to answers and cheat in tests have been detained
in Jilin province, said Liang Xiangdong, a senior official.

The National College Entrance Examination (NCEE), or "gaokao", is the
world's largest standardized test, taken by millions of Chinese
students every year.

A string of cheating scandals featuring the use of high-tech devices
has cast a shadow over the test, Xinhua said.

Wireless communication devices are used by some students to obtain
answers from people outside the examination venues.

In 2009, teachers in Songyuan city were found to be selling wireless
devices to students, sparking public outrage.

Dai Jiagan, an official, on Thursday said that about 9.33 million
people will take the test in 310,000 exam halls across the country.
IANS