Understanding what academic integrity means can help you stay on track and avoid unintentional mistakes, especially during exams and final assessments.
You can dive deeper into what academic integrity looks like here – but for now, here are the key things to keep in mind:
Cheating: Just don’t go there
Cheating – breaking the rules during assignments or exams – is taken seriously at UC. It’s really important to know the dos and don’ts before you sit your exams, including what you can take into the exam (e.g. calculators may need prior approval).
Be sure to check out the official exam instructions to understand what’s allowed and what’s not.
Do -
- If you accidentally bring notes or any unauthorised material into the exam, hand them to the supervisor straight away.
Don’t -
- Peek at someone else’s answers.
- Talk or communicate in any way with others during the exam.
The above could result in disciplinary action. It’s just not worth it.
Plagiarism: Know how to reference correctly
Plagiarism is using someone else’s words, ideas, or data without giving proper credit. Whether it’s from a book, website, or even AI – if you don’t reference it, it’s plagiarism.
UC uses Turnitin, an online tool that checks your assignments for copied content. It can also detect material generated by Gen-AI tools such as ChatGPT that hasn’t been properly cited.
Top tips:
Using quotation marks to quote someone is not plagiarism, as long as the source is acknowledged.
Check on AKO | LEARN which style of referencing your lecturer would like you to use for each assignment. This will inform how you cite your references and avoid plagiarism. You can read style guides for referencing here>
Need help? Book a one-on-one session with the team at Te Pokapū Pūkenga Ako | Academic Skills Centre here>
AI tools: Use them smartly (and only if it’s allowed)
Tools like ChatGPT and CoPilot are everywhere now, but at UC their use is regulated. Some courses allow them, others don’t.
Check out the helpful online resource with info about which Gen-AI tools are allowed for study use. If you're ever unsure, ask your Course Coordinator before using one.
If you’re unsure whether you are able to use AI tools for your assessments, please reach out to your Course Coordinator.
Want to understand more? UC’s AI Working Group has created a detailed FAQ resource to help you navigate AI use in your studies.
When we all act with integrity – by being honest, fair, and respectful – we create a better learning environment for everyone. You can learn more about academic integrity here>
You’ve got this – good luck with your exams!
