How does Cengage prevent cheating on its online platform?

Cengage uses a suite of digital tools and features, particularly within its online assessment platform (often called Cengage Owl or WebAssign), to maintain academic integrity and prevent cheating.

Key features include:

• Question Pooling: Instructors can create tests from a large pool of questions. This means each student can receive a slightly different version of the same test, making it difficult to copy answers.
• Algorithmic Problems: Many questions use variables or numbers that are different for each student. While the concept being tested is the same, the answers will be unique.
• Browser Locking & Monitoring: For high-stakes tests, Cengage integrates with proctoring services that can lock the student's browser (preventing them from opening new tabs) and use webcam monitoring to flag suspicious behavior.
• Time Limits and Access Restrictions: Instructors can set strict time limits and control when and how students can view their results and the correct answers, preventing answers from being shared with others who haven't taken the test yet.