We all love our technology – whether it is our mobile phone, our games console, or our laptop. A lot of today’s tech is proving to be integral to the way we live our lives (can you imagine not having a phone these days?), but technology is also causing a headache for examiners with schools and colleges on alert for smartwatch exam cheats.

Of course, there are already restrictions in place when it comes to using your mobile phone in the exam room, but now there is a new menace for eagle-eyed examiners to look out for – smartwatches!

While smartwatches have been around for a little while, they are now being advertised with the express intention of helping students cheat in their exams. One such device, which was advertised for £44.95, claimed that, “This watch is specifically designed for cheating in exams with a special programmed software.”

The ad continued, “It is perfect for covertly viewing exam notes directly on your wrist, by storing text and pictures.”

The seller even explained, “It has an emergency button, so when you press it the watch’s screen display changes from text to a regular clock, and blocks all other buttons.”

Teachers and examiners fear that this could just be the ‘tip of the iceberg’ when it comes to these type of devices, which some admit are a real problem for invigilators to deal with. There have even been calls for exam boards to challenge the manufacturers of these types of devices.

While Amazon have said they didn’t want to comment on the sale of these ‘cheating’ smartwatches, it is clear that examiners will have to stay on top of these type of devices in the future.

We can expect more exam rooms to forbid the wearing of any type of watch just to be on the safe side, but it does make us wonder where things might be going next… ‘smartglasses’ perhaps?

So, smartwatches to make you seem smart? Remember guys - there is no real satisfaction in cheating; do it the old-fashioned way we say…learn your stuff, revise, do well and be proud of your achievements!