<p>I loved Maddog’s story of the teacher who mixed up the answers on successive tests for the day. I also agree that teachers ideally will not rely on the exact same test year after year. </p>
<p>In response to OP’s question "Is this right answer to (…) allow everyone equal access to prior tests). " - I do remember in college, the university actually did this. It was at the professor’s discretion, but many actually put copies of old tests on file at the main library, available for any student to check out & make a copy. Oftentimes the answers were provided as well. Of course, the actual test you would be taking would not be one of these old tests; everyone knew that. The apparent view of the school was that this policy rewarded those students motivated enough to seek out the old tests as further test prep & took away any unfair advantage from those trying to cheat. </p>
<p>Regarding the day of the actual test, as Neato said, the tests were made such that it really was hard to cheat by talking to kids who took it earlier in the day. </p>
<p>We also had bluebooks. A quick story. I remember one English teacher who told us precisely the the essay question that would be on the test. He even wrote it on the board, and we all duly copied it down. Unfortunately for me, I was overloaded with studying and, apart from a few minutes thought about an answer, did not have time to outline one or look up notes. The day of the test, we all arrived with our bluebooks. Some had already filled them out, smug in thinking that they could just sit there during the test without a worry. Cheating, yes - it was prohibited to come to class with anything but a completely blank bluebook. The professor wrote the exam question on the board - a completely different question, and there was a huge groan. He grinned. I was relieved.</p>