At least four students were found cheating by using hidden earphones at the national postgraduate program entrance exam in Shanghai over the weekend.

 

The four were identified after teachers intercepted wireless transmission signals the students were using to receive exam answers. The cases were still under investigation and it's not clear what punishment the suspects might face, officials said.

 

"We're not 100 percent sure about the suspects yet but we'll keep on investigating," said an official with the Shanghai Educational Exam Authority.

 

For the first time the city's exam authority used 'bug' detectors to identify cheats at several pilot exam centers like Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Shanghai University of Finance and Economics.

 

The cell phone-like device is able to detect wireless earphone signals and locate receivers within a range of 100 meters.

 

Teachers, who carry a detector and wear earphones, are also able to intercept and record information that those cheating receive.

 

University officials said that the device was introduced to the city after students in other parts of the country were found using hidden micro-earphones during nationwide exams in recent years.

 

The hidden earphones, usually less than one centimeter in diameter, can receive sounds from up to 2,000 meters away. The device is so tiny that it's near impossible to spot it.

 

Chen Wei, an official with Shanghai Normal University, said that it's important to deter cheating students and maintain a fair exam environment.

 

(Shanghai Daily January 22, 2007)