i also have never cheated in exams but once.

it was anatomy exam and i had written the answer sheet except one question. my friend passed me a cheat written in very small fonts, at first i was afraid and relctant to take it but then i looked at my teacher, he was busy talking with his colleague so i took it and finished the question, it took me just 5 minutes or so to write that question but i was really afraid of getting caught by teachers.

I have never cheated in school--not in elementary school, high school, university, or grad school. I know many bad things happen in the world, and cheating is not the worst, but I find it completely unacceptable--and shocking.

Well, it is what happens with high-stakes testing. If what school officials want is high test scores, what they will get is high test scores--and cheating. Shame on the cheaters and shame on the officials.

The closest I ever came to "getting caught" occurred once in elementary school when a teaching caught me passing a note. I don't even remember what it was. It certainly wasn't an exam answer or anything like that, and it wasn't anything intensely personal like "I love you." Nevertheless, my teacher spotted it, took the note out of my hand, and said "I think we should share this with the class" and proceeded to read it out loud to the entire room. It wasn't anything terrible but it was very embarrassing and very effective punishment.

As with A L, one or two college courses allowed and encouraged students to bring a single page of notes into the exam room, and of course I did, but that's not what I call a "crib sheet" or cheating. (Many of my college courses had "open book" exams--you could bring the textbook to the exam; some were "open ended," no time limit; and once I had an "open ended open book exam." Very tiring!

Thanks for joining guys!

Oussama, I see you belong to the category of "right" people. That's great! I'm writing "cheat sheets" in most of cases, but have never used them. The main reason is I don't know how to do that. I'm always suspect someone sees me))) And I feel embarrassed and it's conspicuous.

A L, I absolutely agree with your assertion. Besides, I do "cribs" and, as I said above, I've never used them. It's obvious that the process of writing "cribs" helps me to memorize all lecture material.
Moreover, It really works. Because, as they say, the combination of listening, reading and writing allows you to store different kind of information properly and for a long period of time.

Once I've tried to use "cheat sheets", I've thought I'll "die" from the fear))

Most of my professors allowed 1 student made "cheat" sheet. Everyone has one so it's fair.  The term remains as a form of tradition...or its just referred to as a notes page. Usually the only requirement was that you had to make the cheat sheet yourself and turn it in as part of your exam. 

Allowing it has educational advantages. Students learn the material in the process of making one and it allows the professor to test application or extension of the material rather than encouraging students to memorize easily looked up facts or definitions.

Nope, never used them.

The first ever time I saw someone do it was when I was in fifth grade. The kid used his actual copy book. He layed it on his lap. When I saw it I was startled at first, the girl next to me who was already aware of the deed that was being done told me to not say anything. I wasn't a snitch so I said nothing.

Memories *sigh*