AutoSSD: A System for Automated Detection of Similar Speech Responses in Language Tests
Michael Fauß, Jiangang Hao, Chen Li, Molly Palmer, Ikkyu Choi · ETS Research Report Series · 2026
Evaluating spoken language proficiency stands as a pivotal component in language assessment. A well-known method for cheating in spoken language tests involves reciting pre-scripted responses. This paper presents a system called the Automated Speech Similarity Detector (AutoSSD). AutoSSD leverages state-of-the-art AI transcription to convert spoken responses into texts, analyzes these transcriptions for verbatim similarities among test takers, and provides an interactive interface for a subsequent expert review. Our system has proven effective in practical operation, and our findings can help other spoken language assessments bolster their test security measures.