How would you answer this interview question?

[mthomas2]

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I'm trying to get ready for an interview and I am reading different interview questions to prepare. I came across this question:

If you caught one of your classmates cheating on a test, what would you do?

Now really... how should you answer this one without sounding like you are just saying what they want to hear?

 

[Eye-Spy]

I've heard of this question being asked before, apparently what it is really about is maintaining the integrity of the profession. Not just "cheating is wrong, so tell the prof".

A good response to that question would be that you would first approach the student in private, and discreetly tell them what you saw, and encourage them to come forward themselves. If they refuse, then you are obligated to report them.

Tell the interviewer that the reason why it is important for you to report them is not only because of the principle that cheating is wrong, but because this is optometry school and it's important that everyone who graduates has learned the material and is qualified to practice on the public. I would say something about how cheating is unacceptable anywhere, but cheating in professional school is even worse than in undergrad because it not only affects the cheater and their classmates, but also possibly the public.

I don't know if this sounds like you are "just saying what they want to hear" but that's how i'd answer the question.

 

[JeffChou]

A good response to that question would be that you would first approach the student in private, and discreetly tell them what you saw, and encourage them to come forward themselves. If they refuse, then you are obligated to report them.

Tell the interviewer that the reason why it is important for you to report them is not only because of the principle that cheating is wrong, but because this is optometry school and it's important that everyone who graduates has learned the material and is qualified to practice on the public. I would say something about how cheating is unacceptable anywhere, but cheating in professional school is even worse than in undergrad because it not only affects the cheater and their classmates, but also possibly the public.

What if they followed up with "won't the board exams allow only the qualified people to pass, regardless of character?" How then, would you respond.

I wouldn't know how to answer either. I suppose I would probably just take the position you just stated but I'm curious to know what you guys all
REALLY think. I'd be on the fence. I see how cheating undermines the profession. I also believe that if a person is cheating through everything, they will have seeded their own failure (namely, on the board exams). Since there seems to be an acceptable barometer of competence, shouldn't that serve as the judge?

 

[Eye-Spy]

What if they followed up with "won't the board exams allow only the qualified people to pass, regardless of character?" How then, would you respond.

Ha who knows what I'd say if they followed up with that! Let's be honest, I'd probably be caught off guard and just make something up on the spot that may or may not make any sense lol.

 

[CardiacIntensivist]

I'm trying to get ready for an interview and I am reading different interview questions to prepare. I came across this question:

If you caught one of your classmates cheating on a test, what would you do?

Now really... how should you answer this one without sounding like you are just saying what they want to hear?

I went the whole honest route when I was put in the position. "I know I would not outright expose him because I believe in second chances. I would approach the classmate and tell them what I saw and how I don't approve and try to get the story behind it. It could possibly be due to many factors. I would also recommend that they seek tutoring or some sort of support if they really need it. However, if I see them do it again I would notify the professor in private as it would not be fair to others and the person himself if it continues."

 

[BeatrixKiddo]

I would say I'm too busy cheating off someone's test to notice what other kids are doing.

 

[eyestrain]

Man, those interview questions can be such BS. One of the questions I had to write a response to was something about what I would like more, a homecooked meal with my family or going out to eat with my friends. Something stupid that I guess is designed to reveal my character. Only it doesn't work. Everyone just comes up with something that sounds nice to the admissions people. I'm not sure why they bother.

 

[mthomas2]

I would say I'm too busy cheating off someone's test to notice what other kids are doing.

Very funny!

 

[Golddanboy]

I'm trying to get ready for an interview and I am reading different interview questions to prepare. I came across this question:

If you caught one of your classmates cheating on a test, what would you do?

Now really... how should you answer this one without sounding like you are just saying what they want to hear?

Heh I actually caught a pretty good friend cheating in a very small curved class (less then 10 people). The class was Physical chemistry, quite possibly the WORST class ever and the teacher only gave the highest graded person a B+.

My solution was kinda random though, i just told the most talkative person how he cheated. By the end of the week, the entire class knew and he couldn't cheat on the rest of the tests out of fear of getting caught by the teacher. Although there was little to fear, he still failed the tests he cheated. I suppose the wheel weaves as the wheel wills.