why do students cheat??

It is a rare individual who actively chooses to be dishonest. But why do a few students make compromising choices? What can lead people to act in ways that they aren't proud of? Below are some underlying beliefs and confusions which give as explanations for slipping standards of integrity.

Students generally are familiar with the disciplinary actions and penalties for getting caught. However, they may fail to understand that one of the personal consequences of cheating and/or plagiarism is that they aren't actually learning or practicing the material. They may not realize that they will actually need and be accountable for certain knowledge and skills.
Students and their families often have very high expectations about grade achievements because they are accustomed to getting As. More pressure comes from the emphasis on grades in hiring and graduate admissions. Some students may feel pressured to develop unorthodox means to get competitive and marketable credentials.

Students often have multiple assignments due on the same day and in some courses may have only a few opportunities to demonstrate what they know. Cheating can be a tempting path when they have difficulty managing their time. Some may have little remorse because they rationalize "doing what it takes" to get all of their work done. One poor performance on a high-stakes assignment or feeling "shafted out of an A" by a curve may increase the perceived pressure to switch from honest work to questionable "shortcuts."