I-what? The way uni students are cheating in exams

EXAM rooms have long been a hotbed of deception and deceit.

From sneaking a peek at your mate's maths test in primary school to tucking tiny pieces of paper under watchbands in senior exams, the methods have always been many and varied.

And as technology has advanced at a rapid rate, so too have the methods of beating the system.

Now so-called smart watches, which can be connected to the internet at the push of a button, are adding a new dimension.

But universities are responding.

Griffith University recently sent out a distress call urging other universities to ban the watches in the exam room.

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More than 20 universities responded, including the University of the Sunshine Coast.

USC director of student administration Patricia Allen said the new breed of watches was an issue for all institutions.

"It has been a major item across the whole examinations network as there is a sudden mass of different watches on the internet sold specifically as an examination cheat tool," Mrs Allen said.

"It is more than just smart watches," she said.

But unlike some institutions, USC does not require students to put their watches away in bags or under desks because the venue is too big to guarantee them a clear view of clocks on walls.

Instead, exam supervisors have received special training in how to identify potential trickery from students and their watches.

USC student Michael Young said: "You can't really bad-mouth the change because there is a lot of information that could be in your watch."

During current exams, the university reported the ban was successful, with all students co-operating.