<p>Hey everyone. As a sophomore I took the ACT and got a 34 (36 Math, 34 in English, 34 in Reading, 32 in Science). I studied a lot over the summer and this year as a junior I was able to get a 36 (36 Math, 36 English, 36 Reading, 34 Science). I was really happy with this score, but a while ago I received a letter in the mail pretty much saying that I cheated. I thought that I would just take the test again as they suggested and if I get within 3 points, then I would keep my 36.
So I went in quite nervously and took the ACT all over again. I got through the first 3 sections and was feeling quite strong, but then I got to the science section. I REALLY had to go to the bathroom at this point (I used my break to eat a snack instead of going to the washroom.) I had to leave the room before I could finish the test and what I had was scored. I ended up getting a 36 in Math, a 35 in English, a 36 in Reading, and a 22 in Science. This gave me a composite of 32.
Now ACT has declared me a cheater and there is nothing I can do. The letter I originally got had two other options and one included making a sort of appeal based on your performance, grades, and stuff like that. Now however, since I chose the first option, I cannot do that. I have tried to communicate that I receive a 34 as a sophomore, have a 5.0 gpa, and my situation during the test retake, but to no avail. What can I do? I have taken many practice tests and I always seem to be stuck getting a 35. I don't think that I can get a 36 again. Any advice?</p>
<p>Why can’t you just submit the 34 you earned as a sophomore?..</p>
<p>On what evidence did they base the claim that you cheated the second time you took it?</p>
<p>It’s a pride thing. A 34 is good, but a 36 could help for the schools I am going to. But mainly it is a pride thing. I got a 36, one out of about 600, and I earned it! Why should I take it a bunch of times again just to get that 36 again? It is like if you were a runner and you were consistently running a mile at 4 minutes and 6 seconds. One day you get 3 minutes and 59 seconds but they don’t count it because you had poppy seeds earlier and did not pass a drug test. You are never able to break the 4 minute mark again. It doesn’t make that much of a difference, but it kind of does. Bad analogy, but I think it makes my point quite well.</p>
<p>I can dig out the letter to find the exact wording, but it said something around the lines of this…</p>
<p>A tester near you scored a similar score with similar mistakes…blah…blah…blah</p>
<p>That’s a shame. Unfortunately, assuming you are a junior now, it seems unlikely you could fight this and get it resolved before you have to submit scores.</p>
<p>Do you think that a 34 or 35 in contrast to a 36 could hurt my chances at receiving any scholarships that I might be applying for?</p>
<p>1) 34, 35, 36 are all very similar. Get a 35 and call it a day.
2) I’m sorry but if you are unable to use a 15 minute break to eat a snack AND go to the bathroom when you clearly had to go so bad that you couldn’t hold it another 35 minutes, you have a problem and should figure that out.</p>
<p>I would agree with you had it been my school, but I was in a place that I had never been before. I should have looked into the bathroom locations before hand, but that is over with and there is nothing I can do about that.</p>
<p>First off, ACT and ETS are extremely careful when accusing students of cheating. While I’m not accusing you of anything, if you did in fact cheat give up now and stick with your 34.</p>
<p>But since I’m sure you didn’t, I would threaten legal action. The threat alone should have ACT acting less aggressively and more defensively. When they have the threat of a lawsuit they should be more than willing to look at the 34 you received last year and count it for validation of the 36.</p>
<p>i.e. court case in 94 against ETS
[Education</a> Week: Student Accused of Cheating on S.A.T. Wins Suit](<a href=“http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/1994/08/03/40ets.h13.html]Education”>Student Accused of Cheating on S.A.T. Wins Suit)</p>
<p>The problem is the legal system is SOOOO slow, and UniversityKid95 might be in college by the time the case is resolved. If vindication of a false charge is the driving force, go for it, but I would assume litigation (and the dropping of $$$$ on legal fees) would extend through UniversityKid95’s first year or two of college. In addition, I personally feel it would detract from UniversityKid95’s candidacy for college admissions if they became aware of the accusations OR the litigation. Besides, IMO a 34 = 36.</p>
<p>I actually messaged the people over at ACT again. I originally asked if I could do that third option in the letter I received. Instead I am now asking if I can retake the retake. I’m thinking that they may allow me to do that.</p>
<p>Best of luck, UniversityKid95! Hope it works out well for you.</p>
<p>These types of threads are really beginning to scare me. Is this type of thing common? I’m glad my son never had to go through anything like this.</p>
<p>Max, I don’t think this is very common. Although I am a somewhat new member to this community this is the first of sort I have seen with this problem. Very, very few scenarios occur when a student is accused of cheating when he did not actually do so.</p>
<p>As for the OP, I frankly think ACT is throwing a lot of BS at you and (I think) you really should dispute this, unless you are unable to have a good score to take to the apps with you. If this will prevent you from applying in time then you’ll just have to work with the system for the time being. I’m sorry this has happened to you and I would be very very mad if it happened to myself (if I didn’t cheat, of course.)</p>
<p>Obviously if two testers score a 36 then their answers are going to be similar, maybe identical if both perform perfectly. I don’t think that is enough grounds for cheating, so I call BS.</p>
<p>It might not have been the best idea to retake a 34 (since there are far better things in life to be proud of than a 36, and 34~36), but I still think it’s BS. Might want to file suit.</p>
<p>This thread is almost 2 years old. OP hasn’t been active for 6 months. @maxDenverBroncos please don’t dig up old threads like this.</p>
<p>Just realized, this thread was necro’d from 2012.</p>
<p>Never mind…</p>