Princeton mandates proctoring for in-person exams, upending 133 year precedent
dailyprincetonian.com
May 13, 2026
5 min read
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Summary
All in-person examinations at Princeton will be proctored starting July 1, marking the first significant change to the honor system since its establishment in 1893. This decision was made after a faculty vote requiring instructor supervision, with only one opposing vote.
Key Takeaways
- All in-person examinations at Princeton will be proctored starting July 1, marking the first change to the honor system since its establishment in 1893.
- The faculty passed the proctoring proposal with one opposing vote, following months of discussions about academic integrity and the impact of AI on cheating.
- The policy cites increased use of AI tools and a reluctance among students to report peers as key reasons for implementing proctoring.
- A survey indicated that 29.9% of seniors admitted to cheating, while 44.6% knew of Honor Code violations but did not report them.
Community Sentiment
Positives
- The shift to proctored exams may restore integrity in the academic environment, addressing the alarming rates of cheating reported by students.
- Implementing proctoring could foster a culture of accountability, encouraging students to value their education and honor more seriously.
Concerns
- The ease of cheating with modern technology, including AI, raises significant concerns about the effectiveness of traditional exam formats.
- The reliance on an honor system has proven ineffective, as evidenced by the high percentage of students who witness cheating but choose not to report it.