Exam cheats use invisible ink

IT MAY sound like something out of a classic spy thriller, but “invisible ink” has been revealed as the latest university exam scam.

A law student was caught redhanded with 24 pages of “unauthorised notes” written in invisible UV ink according to a report by the university ombudsman, the Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA). She was caught by the invigilator after being spotted looking at the notes using a UV light.

The use of invisible ink is the latest instance of students using technology to cheat in exams.

Last month, MPs and university chiefs called for airport-style searches after The Daily Telegraph revealed that a growing number of students are sneaking tiny in-ear devices into exams that can whisper answers to them.

Lord Storey, the Liberal Democrat education spokesman for the House of Lords, said: “Sometimes rich parents are paying the fees and the young person is desperate to do well in exams and make sure money wasn’t wasted.”

Invisible ink sets are available for as little as £2 on internet shopping sites and are often marketed as children’s toys.

A spokesman for Universities UK said: “Universities take cheating extremely seriously and have severe penalties for students found to be cheating.” These can include expelling the student from the university.