As A-level students across the land celebrate or commiserate their results, there may be a few just wishing they had been given these unusual anti-cheating ‘hats’ worn in a Thai university.

The novel, yet makeshift, idea of stapling A4 paper ear flaps to a headband in a bid to prevent cheating was supposedly thought up by the students themselves.

The picture, which was posted to Kasetsart University’s Facebook page and shows students from its Agro-Industry faculty sitting an exam, became an internet hit shortly after posting.

After a wave of negative as well as positive feedback, the Bangkok University decided to hold a press conference to explain how the hats came about.

“It was an agreement between us. No student was forced to wear a hat. Instead, all were happy to do so and thought it was fun. They felt more relaxed during the test,” said Nattadon Rungruangkitkrai, a lecturer at the faculty.

“It was not meant to indicate that Kasetsart students often cheat on exams. I apologise if the photo makes other people look at my students in a negative way.”

Some had commented on the Facebook picture saying it was humiliating or undignified.

Though keeping a straight face would have been hard – yet necessary under the circumstances – these students can be seen diligently getting on with their test.

Mr Nattadon also said that it would be the first – and last – time the hats are used, reported the Bangkok Post.

source: Metro

A-level student – emelt szintű érettségiző
to commiserate – együtt érez, sajnálkozik
result – eredmény
unusual  – szokatlan
to cheat  – csalni, puskázni
novel – új, újfajta
yet – mégis
makeshift – házi gyártmányú, összetákolt
to staple – összetűzni
flap – felhajtható lap
headband – fejpánt
in a bid to – megpróbálva, megkísérelve
to prevent – megelőzni
supposedly – feltehetően
faculty – kar (egyetemen)
internet hit – internetes siker
wave – hullám
feedback – visszajelzés
to decide to  – elhatározni, hogy
to hold a press conference – sajtótájékoztatót tartani
to explain – megmagyarázni
to come about – valami valahogy megtörténik (nem úgy, ahogy várták)
agreement – megállapodás
to be forced to – valamire kényszerítve lenni
instead – valami helyett, ehelyett
lecturer – egyetemi óraadó/tanár
to be meant to  – valami valamire szánva van
to indicate – jelezni, jelölni
to apologise – bocsánatot kérni
humiliating – megalázó
undignified – nevetséges, méltatlan
to keep a straight face – komoly arcot vágni (úgy, hogy közben nevetni kell)
necessary – szükséges
circumstance – körülmény
diligently – szorgalmasan
to get on with something – folytatni valamit