5 tricky ways we've all used to cheat during exams

Exams are a lot like mistresses. They crawl up on us when we least expect, tease us and leave us high and dry with regret. After spending three months mostly slaying, when exams come, they come with a terror that cannot be ignored and with that comes the need to pass through unconventional means, cheating. The coffee nights are of no help and neither is last minute reading. Many if not all university students have at one point resorted to these means to get that degree:

1. Formation No, this is not Beyoncé's song. Formation prescribes that the smart one in a group of four sits at the front. The smart one is required to sit next to the one with the most legible handwriting. Yes, the one who dots their I's and crosses her T's. Behind them is the expert mwakenya scribbler and the king of google. They exchange knowledge across the quadrant. The formation is usually the most effective way of cheating seeing as everyone has a role to play.

2. Toilet trips This is the day one summons all the gods of theatre and drama. On this day, you will be required to safely hide your phone, clutch at your stomach, wince in pain and fake a stomach upset. Better still, you could use the legendary ''I have a loose bladder'' excuse. Upon getting permission, you are required to use a record six minutes to google and cram a semester's worth of notes. In more advanced and desperate cases, one could hide notes in the toilet.

3. Overdressing. This is ultimately the fan-favourite. It is yet to go out of style and will most likely not go out of style. This is mostly because it provides the ultimate haven for phones and mwakenya. The most common tool of choice is the hooded jumper. In spite of the scorching sun, you will find most people in the exam room bundled up in winter clothing. The mwakenya will be carefully hidden in places where the sun doesn't shine and the phone, hidden but easy to access.

4. Bad-ass consulting. This has to be the most annoying group. This group shamelessly skirts trouble in all its forms by murmuring and blatantly discussing the paper in hushed tones. That being said, they are rarely caught and if caught, they spin tales to get themselves out of the situation.

5. Kiss and pass Undoubtedly, this is the easiest and almost fool-proof way to pass exams. A little kiss here, fondling there and one is in the best books with the lecturer. This gives one a front row seat to the exam paper, months before it is officially out.