Anxious after reading a thread about wrongly Accusing Cheating ACT

Test Preparation
1

Hi, I came across this thread called ACT Testing Wrongly Accusing Cheating 2017 and am so anxious now. I’m currently a senior in high school and just came across this thread, which I didn’t even know was possible especially after 6 whole months after taking a test.
I took my first ACT in September and obtained a 21 because I went in blind to get a feel of the test and finally in October after intense self-studying and little to no free time obtained a 26. I was super proud, but unfortunately, my parents had signed me up for the December act at the same time and I went to take it as they spent money. I honestly did not put the same effort into studying or even while taking the test as I was content with my 26 and in the end obtained a terrible score of 20.

After a few months have passed I thought I was free of worry because college apps are done and acceptances are now coming out, but now seeing this thread has me mortified because I saw that they accuse score increases of 4-6, and i have a score increase of 5, also seeing how inconsistent my scores look because of my last stupid careless December score makes me anxious I might get one of those letters and my 6-month mark is almost here. I don’t want everything I worked for to be in vain. I have terrible testing anxiety and low self-confidence too so I don’t even know if I can achieve a 23-26 again especially in a room alone with just a proctor. Also, I am so out of practice because it has been nearly 6 months since I have studied or practiced.

I’m honestly just scared and hurt. I just needed to get this out because this thread is horrifying to me. I’m so sorry you all have to go through this. I truly hope I don’t get accused just because I was careless with my last December test and my 5 point score increase, which I put my sweat and tears into. I hope everything works out for you guys too. I feel it’s so unfair that the ACT can wait a whole 6 months to inform a student about their scores being flagged as these scores are super important when it comes to admissions. I’ll def be back and crying if I get a letter this or next month. thank you for listening for my rant I’m so sad that I won’t be able to enjoy the last few months of senior year cuz ill have this stupid letter in mind

here’s the link to the thread I skimmed through it last night and wish i never found it cuz now I’m just anxious.
http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/sat-act-tests-test-preparation/1987200-act-testing-wrongly-accusing-cheating-2017.html

2

I wouldn’t worry about it. If you cheated on the second test to get the 26, then you probably wouldn’t have gone back in the third time to get a much lower score.

3

Relax.

If you read the thread carefully - and I don’t think you did - you would have noticed that a lot of colleges waived off the reviews for kids who reported their scores were under scruitiny. The only ones who had to retake appeared to be athletes with athletic scholarships. And the ACT has had such bad press over this, they may be softening their stance. The poster of the post right above yours had her 5+ point increase validated by the ACT, no retake, no further action necessary.

4

That makes me feel a little better have there been recent cases of this or is it way less common now?

5

That thread has been going for quite a while and people do get flagged for review, but why you, especially after a subsequent lower score. Please don’t find things to worry about.