testbank academic honesty question

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Hi - while searching for more practice test questions I came across a site called nursing school test bank. I was delighted to see my med surg book listed (along with a bunch others) and a set of practice questions for each chapter that I hadn't seen before. I used them for practice along with my other sources (evolve, success book, uworld). Fast forward to the test and to my surprise there were many, many questions on the exam straight from the set this site provided! Right after the test I went to the instructors office and told her I felt I seen a lot of her questions when practicing test questions on line. She replied "Its ok, we all have the same resources".

this didn't sit right with me, since she is clearly pulling questions from a source anyone with internet access can get, but I felt kind of stupid at that point for bringing it up. I can't help thinking if she knew these questions were accessible to anyone she would stop using this as a source. I know if I were a teacher I would.

So my question is what is academically honest here? Do I see her again and make her look at the site so she can see for herself? Was notifying her right after the test that I felt I'd seen a lot of her test questions enough?

Also, how can I find out if nursing test bank is a legitimate source of practice questions? Now that I'm poking around here it seems I may have stumbled (innocently and blindly I might add - I had no clue there could be shady practice question resources out there) upon something not ok.

I did check our handbook and there's nothing about on line or test bank practice questions being forbidden in it. I've also shared the name of this site with many of my classmates as a great place for more practice questions....since that is exactly what I thought it was (and may still be?)

opinions please - thank you

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Specializes in PICU, Sedation/Radiology, PACU.

You made your instructor aware and she doesn't mind. You can move on in peace. If using this website as a resource doesn't feel right to you, then study in another manner.

I actually doubt that your instructor is pulling questions from the website you found. Most likely, she is pulling them from a study guide/practice questions associated with your text book. Someone else has taken those questions and posted them online. Those same questions may very well be available in the back of the text book or associated printed resources. For example, the authors of my Fundamentals text book also published an associated study guide with practice questions for each chapter. Students were required to buy the study guide, and my instructor would use questions from this book in every one of her tests.

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I should have clarified - I think she is using a resource for her test questions that she does not know is available to anyone with internet access, not that she's actually using the website to grab her test questions. What worries me is whether this site, that I purchased access to, is providing practice questions that they should not be allowed to. In other words, resources that should only be available to faculty. It concerns me enough that I won't be using it again. I can make grades without it, and it feels wrong to use a source that the teacher is using for so many questions. If it was only 2 to 3 questions ok, but I would guess at least 20 out if 60 came from this website bank. I think you are correct that she doesn't really mind, but my gut tells me not to use it again, so I'm not going to.

Your advice "if it doesn't feel right" is good I think.

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Have you clarified that thought with her?

I think she is using a resource for her test questions that she does not know is available to anyone with internet access, not that she's actually using the website to grab her test questions.
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Specializes in NICU.

Textbook companies produce a test bank of questions for each chapter of their textbooks. These questions are intended to be used by instructors for test purposes. The test banks can only be sold to instructors. Unfortunately, individuals are able to "trick" the companies into thinking they are legitimate instructors. The individuals will then sell copies of the test banks to students or in your case set up a website to provide online access. The textbook companies try to get the websites shut down due to copyright infringement, but as they shut one down, another pops up. Did you stumble upon this website innocently? Yes. Is the use of a textbook's test bank academic dishonesty? Yes. Your instructor (as is a majority of instructors) aware of the ability of students to gain access to the test banks if they try hard enough and are wiling to take the risk. Now you have a moral dilemma. Continue to use the website, risk being kicked out of the program, but have a huge advantage on the tests or stop using the website and rely on your academic ability to pass the tests.

I went to the instructors office and told her I felt I seen a lot of her questions when practicing test questions on line. She replied "Its ok, we all have the same resources".

It is possible that she didn't understand the the questions you were using from the website were verbatim question and answers that were on the test.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
I should have clarified - I think she is using a resource for her test questions that she does not know is available to anyone with internet access, not that she's actually using the website to grab her test questions. What worries me is whether this site, that I purchased access to, is providing practice questions that they should not be allowed to. In other words, resources that should only be available to faculty. It concerns me enough that I won't be using it again. I can make grades without it, and it feels wrong to use a source that the teacher is using for so many questions. If it was only 2 to 3 questions ok, but I would guess at least 20 out if 60 came from this website bank. I think you are correct that she doesn't really mind, but my gut tells me not to use it again, so I'm not going to.

Your advice "if it doesn't feel right" is good I think.

In nursing there are certain certainties and that is....

1) TRUST ME! Your instructor knows exactly about that site and knows what a test bank is...do NOT assume she is naive.

2) Most programs consider this academic cheating/dishonesty.

3) Many programs has expelled nursing student for using these test banks.

4) Yes you have seen them on your test as these test banks come with the instructor manual version of your text book.

Now it is for you to decide whether or not to use these test banks but if you do remember

1) There is not a "Test Bank" for the NCLEX

2) Don't tell anyone that you purchased a test back and are using it.

Here are many threads about this very thing.

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