PAU exams "locked". Detectors will weed out electronics and prevent cheating

The university entrance examinations (PAU) in the Valencia region will undergo unprecedented scrutiny this year. In order to ensure equal treatment of all undergraduates and eliminate downloading attempts, examination halls will be equipped with advanced electronic device detectors

The Valencia University System's Management Committee for Entrance Examinations and Recruitment has decided to implement stringent technological safeguards. During the upcoming tests, which will take place next week, exam boards will be equipped with frequency detectors and other technological means. Their task will be to locate any unauthorized devices in real time.

The new regulations, which introduce such radical detection measures for the first time ever, were presented Thursday at the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV) by Esther Gómez, Autonomous Secretary for Universities. José Mas, general coordinator of the PAU, and Héctor Esteban, director of the Technical College of Telecommunications Engineering (ETSIT) at UPV, also attended the press conference.

Adaptation to the realities of the digital age

During her speech, Esther Gómez stressed that the update of the security criteria is a direct response to dynamic technological developments.

"Our only goal is to guarantee equal opportunities for all students and to protect the integrity of the exams themselves," the university secretary noted.

According to the new regulations, during the exams it is absolutely forbidden not only to use, but even to carry such items as:

• Cell phones
• Smartwatches (smart watches)
• Wireless headphones
• Tablets and laptops
• Glasses equipped with artificial intelligence (AI)

New procedures: What are the penalties for breaking the rules?

With the introduction of detectors, the regulations for the first time precisely define procedures for dealing with the detection of unauthorized electronic activity:

1. Signal Verification: If the detector indicates a signal associated with a student's personal item, the committee has the right to demand production of the device. If he refuses, the student will be brought to the headquarters of the examination tribunal for a detailed inspection.
2. Immediate disqualification: Confirmation of possession of an enabled, unauthorized device will result in immediate termination of the exam and a failing grade (zero points).
3. Suspicious Luggage: If the owner of the detected device cannot be immediately determined, the backpack or bag containing it will be secured and transferred to the commission office for identification.

Fight against candidate impersonation

The new restrictions also hit attempts at identity fraud. Impersonating another student will result in complete invalidation of the PAU exam (zero points in all subjects).

Strict logistical rules have been put in place to prevent such situations:

• Students must appear at the exam site 30 minutes before the start of the exam.
• The condition for entry into the hall is the presentation of an official photo ID.
• Note to users of the miDNi (digital ID card) app: Digital verification must take place before crossing the exam hall threshold. Bringing turned-on phones into the hall is strictly forbidden, so after showing the app, the device will have to be completely turned off and deposited.