Massey University is reviewing procedures after parts of a business studies exam were handed to a class and posted on the internet before students sat the paper.
An Albany management studies lecturer is understood to have passed out sample questions for a first-year paper that later appeared in the exam.
The answers
ended up on skykiwi.com, a Chinese-language website, and students from Palmerston North and Wellington had access to the answers.
The actions were described as unwise in a written statement from Luanna Meyer, Massey's assistant vice-chancellor.
"While it is normal practice for lecturers to assist students by providing sample questions to guide discussion of key material in the lead-in to exams, it is unacceptable for the actual questions to be given," Professor Meyer said.
"As soon as we became aware of what happened, we launched an investigation into how this came about and what remedial actions were warrantable and practicable. This investigation is still ongoing, as the lecturer must be provided procedurally with a fair opportunity to respond to the allegations."
Last week, Professor Meyer confirmed another exam paper was rewritten after rumours had circulated via email that students were cheating on an exam.
There was no evidence of cheating in the latest incident, Professor Meyer said, and the university would let the results of the business studies exam stand. Students with borderline grades in the first-year paper would be "given the benefit of the doubt".
The paper has an enrolment of more than 1000 students in the first semester.
Albany Students' Association president Matthew Evetts said it appeared some students had more information than others and did better than they should have.
"It does seem like the students in the Albany class were able to focus their studies much better. One of the students took the opportunity to put the answers on the internet. Obviously it's not good and nobody's happy about it because some students have been advantaged."
The lecturer at the centre of the review said: "The whole thing is under review at the moment. Everything has been locked up and sent down to Palmerston North."
Professor Meyer said the university was speaking with the lecturer and would be issuing guidelines to prevent such incidents.
- NZPA
