What the heck is going on with College Board? My sons November 2014 SAT scores are still “not yet available”. Heres our story. Son took SAT in May 2014 and absolutely bombed it with a total (MA, CR, WR) of 1140 even after Sylvan tutoring. Yep, 1140! He is a decent student so the only thing we can figure out is that he bubbled out of order. So, pay for private tutoring and takes test again in November. We waited just like all parents and students for grade posting and then we get “not yet available”. We waited another 2 weeks and still nothing. I called the CB and the lady I spoke with notified me that I would have to contact the office of testing integrity. At no time prior to me calling the CB did we receive any notification or correspondence that his scores were being reviewed or questioned, NONE! She indicated that my sons scores were under review due to a large score increase from previous test (400+ increase). I immediately called the OTT to figure what exactly was going on with the scores. The woman I spoke to there said that they would send a notification indicating that the scores were being reviewed (had to call them to even get a notification) and that it should take about 2-3 weeks to receive their results of review. Funny, that evening my wife did actually receive an email stating the scores were under review. On this email it stated that CB had assigned score review to one of their staff and that we would be hearing from this person if they had any questions. Throughout the remainder of December I tried to contact our “reviewer” regarding the status of her review 3 times leaving voice messages and sending emails. Upon becoming frustrated to no end I called the OTT first week this month and requested to speak directly with our “reviewer”. Amazingly she was in and took my call. She stated that his scores were still under review and that it would take another 2-3 weeks for final determination. I told her that I knew his score had increased and thats why they were under review and that “I get it”, testing integrity. I asked her if she could at least let me know in general the amount of increase and she stated 700+. I explained to her that we could only assume he bombed the first test due to bubbling error and that we had him get help from a private tutor. It has now been 2 weeks and we have still not heard from CB reviewer. Because of this review we have schedule our son to take the test again this Saturday. He took this test 3 months ago and we still have no answer. My son is receiving an athletic scholarship and he is very lucky his future coaches and the school are understanding. I appreciate all you other parents allowing me to vent on here. Just so frustrated and wonder if they, CB, know their ineptitude can negatively impact a young persons life. This has caused much more expense as well as many stressful evenings/weekends in our house. They really need to get their house in order. Ridiculous!
Wow! Interesting story - thanks for sharing!
I had my own run in with College Board over November 8th test scores on the subject test. S took German with listening, the Literature subject test and retook Chemistry. On the day of the test, the proctor realized he had grabbed the wrong disk for the German listening test and cancelled that one. He told the kids there would be a follow-up email with instructions. S took the other two tests that morning. In early December, I realized the we still hadn’t received instructions about making up the German test, nor had we received the scores for the other two tests, which need to be released all at the same time. In other words, through an ERROR on CB’s part, my sons were being withheld from us while the test was being reviewed. I expressed my displeasure and S got an email the next day informing him of a makeup test that very weekend. He took the test, but the scores were still not forthcoming. It took 3 long, angry phone calls until S’s case was “escalated” to the red flag status of immediate action. You are right, @pissedoffdad that CB needs to get its house in order and that their negligence affects kids’ futures. The problem is that CB has no competition, so customer service is not a priority for them–and it really shows! Until we finally got those November scores in January, you could call me pissedoffmom.
*my son’s scores
pissedoffdad, have you had the pleasure of dealing with the NCAA clearinghouse yet? My daughter’s transcripts were never received, or so they claimed, so I called the high school and the woman told me that about half, HALF, of the transcripts are reported as never received every year even though the high school sends them all the same way at the same time. Called back NCAA and was told they receive a LOT of mail and things do get lost. Well, you receive mail because you require the schools to send mail! And we pay you $70 to receive and process that mail.
And miraculously all her transcripts (3 different school) were all received and processed within a week of my call. Must have cleaned the mail room.
Did your son take the PSAT? Usually that score is consistent with the SAT score and it helps them conclude that the SAT score is accurate if the two are similar with respect to percentile. I think the audited tests are reviewed by a committee, so you have to wait until the committee convenes for the decision.
Why hasn’t he signed up for more SATs before now? He could have taken the Dec and Jan exam to further demonstrate.
Also take the ACT. Is he a senior?
Frankly, I don’t think they’re going to “buy” the misbubbling excuse because that only works for one section. The likelihood that a student would misbubble all/most of his sections wouldn’t be believable.
The tutor, time-management, and practice would justify the increases.
We have had no issues with the clearinghouse. We enrolled our son his freshman year as he was being recruited for athletics and we have met with his college counselor at his high school to ensure he has met the requirements. I am sorry to hear you have had issues with the clearinghouse. As for the PSAT, my son did not take that test. As for the November scores it is absolutely unacceptable for anyone to have to wait this long for them.
I am not one of these parents who thinks my child is perfect or that he could never do anything wrong however, I know this is not a cheating issue. I just find it difficult to believe that it would take this long to confirm test scores. Honestly, I would rather they had just come out and accused him of cheating. That too would not make sense as I cannot see anyone cheating to obtain an 1840 score. I have questioned my son on what transpired the day of the test. He stated that no other test takers were within 3 seats of him, he had the correct ID as submitted with his test sign up form, he did not have a cell phone, he did not have an illegal calculator, nor did he even speak to other students during the breaks.
I have to believe that if there was any speculation of him cheating it would have been caught by the test proctor and he would have been removed from the testing center. Nothing. I consult in the petrochemical industry and all workers who want to work in these types of plants must pass a basic safety orientation exam. I have personally taken this exam and after my discussion with my son regarding his experience on that day I can tell you that testing security for the safety orientation is much stricter.
Much like the DMV you are not aware which of the four different test you will be taking. You sit in cubicles with side walls to prevent lookee loos. They have security cameras and the proctor actually walks around to verify that people are not cheating. I have to ask this simple question: if a company can provide that level of testing security at $35.00 for a one day safety orientation exam why can’t CB do they same. It would eliminate any question of cheating. I wonder how many test CB administers each year at $70.00 per test.
I have read on CC that an increase in score of 400 or more would trigger a review. Okay, fine. Perform your review in an expedited manner and allow families to move on. Since this all started with the score review we have been stressed out waiting for results. As stated previously my son will take the test again this Saturday and he is really stressed. He has been going to his tutor and studying hard.
He is fearful of not doing well as we do not know if this would only compound the current situation. I can tell you that if they do not allow the November scores they had better have a great reason like cheating although that was already stated to not be a concern. He is very fortunate to have coaches who can buy him time for admissions. How much time we do not know.
If CB keeps dragging their feet this could cost my son his scholarship. And here is the other killer, if he loses that one it would be really really difficult to get another scholarship offer as all of the coaches who were recruiting him have moved since his choice went public, no more athletic money as they had to get a commit when he said no thank you. He has worked hard athletically and to get what he has and I can say my son is not a natural student.
He has to work to maintain decent grades. All this additional studying and tor time is taking some time away from his normal studies as well as adding undue stress to his life. He is a senior and should be enjoying his final year before heading off to college. Instead, due to CB he is a stressed out 17 year old who has no time for extracurricular activities. Sorry folks, I am just to my wits end with CB.
The student doesn’t have to prove why he did poorly on the first test. If the records show it was really him taking the second test, that there were no issues at the testing center, that the proctors didn’t report any missing test booklets or cell phones or bathroom breaks, then the second test should be validated. Scores increasing by this much does happen, they just want to make sure it is on the up and up when it happens.
twoinanddone: I sure hope so. This has been an enlightening experience to say the least. Thanks for the comment and I will keep updating. Kinda nice to have a forum like this where you can vent and there are helpful positive people to help. Thanks.
What were his PSAT scores? How did that compare to the first time SAT?
He did not take the PSAT.
Sounds like the biggest issue here is the time it’s taking to review. It’s excessive! Congratulations to your son for working hard to bring his score up. I wish my D had put in that much effort to just get 50 more points. 
Best of luck!
As stated before he is scheduled to take SAT agin this Saturday. As for the reason for low scores on first test we can only assume it was from mis-bubbling. What I do know is this: 1140 on first test lead to 6 months private tutoring and per CB an increase of 700+ on Nov test. ACT was a 24.
The sad reality is that they are reviewing/questioning his scores and have not contacted him. Will they simply make a determination and move on without due diligence? We do not know. That is the problem. Contact my son, question him, whatever but do something to conclude this whole fiasco. They leave you hanging in limbo.
I wonder if maybe the first test was a grading error and that’s one of the pieces they are looking at? This long wait is so discouraging, and adds to the anxiety not only of your son, but of other kids who hear of this situation and wonder if they’ll be accused of cheating when their scores go up a lot. I hope this is resolved quickly and fairly. It would be so wrong to immediately assume cheating when a kid worked his butt off to improve.
ETA: And can I just vent here that I despise the College Board? I think the entire testing game is a money-driven racket and it makes me furious that they are profiting from teenagers’ anxiety. And I say this as a parent whose kids did very, very well.
An ACT of 24 is the same as an SAT of 1680-1730. Isn’t that good enough?
If not what score does he need on his SAT? Could he take the ACT again instead?
In order for him to get in to the business school we have been advised that he needs 1800+ on SAT or at least 25 on ACT. This info direct from university admissions that these scores would pretty much guarantee. If what CB is saying about SAT score is true then he is good. Could he take ACT again, sure but its just more money for the test, additional tutoring, and more crap we have to go through as a family. He is taking the SAT again this Saturday and we hope those scores will be in by a set deadline we have for the college. What if those scores are delayed? What then? ACT again and wait on score and hope he improves? Even as scholarship athlete we have been advised that he needs to declare his major so he can get his required core courses. Again, the school and the coaching staff have been really amazing and understanding but at some point we may run out of time and we fear we approaching that point.
If he has been studying for the SAT I would think that would “roll” over to the SAT. Especially since he only needs 1 more point on the ACT. If it were me I’d go ahead and sign him up for the Feb 7th ACT and pay the late fee. I know its $78.50 but you are talking about him potentially losing his scholarship.
I agree and have done just that. I am hoping that he kills the SAT and then this will all be a moot point… unless they delay those scores. Amazing that we had no issues with ACT score reporting.