cheat on an exam

Meaning

This phrase means to act dishonestly in an academic test to get a better grade, such as by copying someone else's work, using hidden notes, or looking at a phone. It carries a strong negative connotation of dishonesty and violation of academic integrity.

Examples

• He was caught trying to cheat on the chemistry exam using notes written on his hand.

  He was caught trying to cheat on the chemistry exam using notes written on his hand.

• I would never cheat on an exam because the risk of getting expelled is too high.

  I would never cheat on an exam because the risk of getting expelled is too high.

• Several students were disqualified after they conspired to cheat on the final exam.

  Several students were disqualified after they conspired to cheat on the final exam.

• She realized that trying to cheat on the exam wasn't worth the stress and decided to just study.

  She realized that trying to cheat on the exam wasn't worth the stress and decided to just study.

• The teacher spaced out the desks to make it harder for anyone to cheat on the exam.

  The teacher spaced out the desks to make it harder for anyone to cheat on the exam.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ He cheated the exam by copying his neighbor's answers.

  ✓ He cheated on the exam by copying his neighbor's answers.

  You must use the preposition 'on' when referring to a test or exam. To 'cheat someone' means to defraud a person, but to 'cheat on' a test means academic dishonesty.

• ✗ She made cheat in the exam last week.

  ✓ She cheated on the exam last week.

  'Cheat' is a verb here, so you conjugate it directly (cheated) rather than using 'make cheat.'

Related Expressions

Practice

• If you get caught trying to ___, you will automatically fail the course.

  💡 Use the base form of the verb.

  Show answer

  cheat on an exam

• He regretted deciding to ___ when the teacher saw him looking at his phone.

  💡 Use the definite article 'the' for a specific exam.

  Show answer

  cheat on the exam