Factors Influencing Academic Cheating In Undergraduate Setting of Central Park Medical College, Lahore.

ABSTRACT
Objective: To study different factors influencing academic cheating among students during exams or during their academic life. 
Methodology: A cross sectioned study was conducted using 10 items structured questionaries on different aspect of cheating in MBBS 5-year studies of central park medical college, Lahore. There were 334 students in total who was volunteered to participate in this study. A 10 items questionnaire was given to participants after taking informed consent. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 23. 
Results: The mean age of student was 23.48± 1.71 years. More females’ students 196(58.7%) participated as compared to male students 138(41.3%). Two hundred eighty-five participants had witnessed anyone else involved in cheating and 15 of participants denied witnessing other doing cheating. out of 334 students 72.7% of students ignored the situation when they saw anyone involved in this act and 8% of students wanted to do the same. Most of students (38.6%) were busy in doing their own work when they witnessed someone involved in cheating. Lack of preparation was major reason 30.5% of students followed by fear of not sending admission in 23%of students. The most common method of cheating was to ask from a friend and taking helping material from them by 60.18% and 12.28% students respectively. According to 35.3% of student’s strict invigilation can stop students from cheating. However, 23.6% of students said that nothing can be done to stop the cheating. 
Conclusion: Present study conclude that three forth of students mostly females are involved in cheating. Factors for cheating include lack of exam preparation, admission issues and lenient invigilation. Strict investigation and counselling can be adopted in order to minimize cheating.