<p>Where I live, most test-takers don't cheat, and they outscore a lot of the kids from places where cheating is more commonplace. Just relax and do your best on the test (and doing your best does NOT necessitate hiring a tutor) and the genuine story of your life will carry you through the admissions process. </p>
<p>Good luck in this year's admissions process to this year's test-takers.</p>
<p>Supernal: totally agree about SAT tutors. There was an SAT prep class at my school, and I think it actually hurt the people who took it, because they were under the impression that because they were taking the class, they would automatically score higher, so they didn't bother to do the homework or study, and as a result, not one person taking the class got above a 1380. Most got between 1000-1150. People are much better off taking the SATs into their own hands. If they're responsible, they'll raise their scores; If they need someone to hold their hand, then they don't deserve to.</p>
<p>supernal_being,</p>
<p>It's nice that you can respond to my arguments, yet tell me not to bother defending myself. I love people who do that: I'm going to supposedly destroy you now, so don't even try to respond. Look, I'm not really interested in the defending the value of tutoring or test prep here. I'm not here to advertise. In fact, I have offered CC'ers here who have asked for assistance FREE help with their exams. I already have quite enough students who DO understand the value of what I do. If YOU do not think that tutoring will help you, then DON'T do it.</p>
<p>But I do feel compelled to respond to your mostly baseless arguments. First of all, not ALL of my students go through 100+ hours of study. Some do, some don't. It depends. Some don't do very much homework. Some do A LOT. And for your information, about half of my students score above 1350. Yes, that means 1400s and 1500s. I used the 1300+ number in order to have a good comparison with those who cheat, who are supposedly aiming for something in the 1400s and 1500s. And when I cited my score improvement numbers, we are NOT counting from the PSAT. I give all of my students a score improvement guarantee, and it starts from their first starting score, which is the HIGHEST of the PSAT score, initial diagnostic SAT score (which they take right before the course starts), and a previous SAT score (if applicable). If we WERE counting solely from PSAT scores, the average improvements would actually be higher, way higher -- probably around 250-300 points higher (since many students improve quite a bit from their initial PSAT). Therefore, using that basis, you only improved by 190 points, which, as I mentioned before, is about the highest that most CC'ers will improve through self-study. So when I was talking about reaching the 1300s, we are talking about students starting from the 1000s and low 1100s. A 1300 for them would be a VERY good score. Yet, I am sure that a few of their competitors in the college applicant pool are beating them through cheating with 1400s and 1500s.</p>
<p>As I've said before, if you don't care about this issue, don't read this thread and don't respond. I thank those of you who DID respond with substantive posts detailing the ways people cheat. If you read had my original post, you would have seen that what I plan to do is notify ETS and the College Board about these violations. I just wanted more strength behind my statements, and that's why I came here. Apparently, some people cannot read, however, or choose not to read, despite a 1410 (which I'm fairly confident I could have raised to at least a 1500 -- I have students coming to me with scores in the 1300s -- these are the students who eventually get scores in the 1500s). As I told another poster, before you censure someone for what they do, it might be a good idea to find out EXACTLY what they do and what they charge. Yes, there ARE strategies, for both verbal and math, and YES, these can be taught. Sure, you can try reading some of these strategies out of a book, and some might even be able to apply them effectively. But an expert (EXPERT, not bogus, as many are) tutor can diagnose, correct, and improve your specific issues and weaknesses in about 10 minutes and help you accelerate your score increase and assign you the right type and amount of homework and continue this process session after session to achieve higher and higher scores, as opposed to your stumbling around in the dark, not knowing why you are stuck at a certain percentage with certain questions or stuck at a certain score plateau. As I stated before, I'll be the first to admit that there are PLENTY of BAD and ineffective tutors out there who do not know what they are doing and are of the kind that you cite. They ARE stealing money from students, and that's really unfortunate. That is why whenever I have given advice on seeking tutors in this forum, I have stressed the need to look at credentials, the tutor's own score, his or her track record, references, etc. I am keenly aware of this, and I DO give my students their money's worth (and then some).</p>
<p>Finally, please do not insult the CC'ers who get 50 points or 100 points of improvement after a lot of self-study. I can tell you from experience that not EVERYONE will improve by 190 points, as you did, and that is NOT a statement on their intelligence. Some people do not improve as much because of a combination of many different factors.</p>
<p>Also, for rpproductions1987, sure, I sensed the sarcasm or jocular tone of those comments, and you would know if you spent an hour at a tutoring session with me that I can be VERY funny. But this to me is a serious issue, and I don't feel like making light of it. If you have nothing productive to contribute, I suggest you start working on your stand-up comedy career now. I'm sure you would do very well. You don't need college, and you don't need the SAT to succeed, since you have such a TREMENDOUS comedic talent. Chris Rock should be scared. :)</p>
<p>Godot, if you want <em>anyone</em> to read what you're saying, your posts are going to have to start to become much much shorter. I sincerely hope no one has to go through that last block of text.</p>
<p>cheating has nothing to do with the values that teachers are suppose to teach their students, anyone will do what is necessary to get ahead</p>
<p>Godot,</p>
<p>Sorry, don't have time at the moment, but I left out one little piece of info by accident: I've taken the SAT 3 times; my first score was a 1110, then, 1220, and lastly, 1410. Therefore, Mr. Godot, I've increased by 300 points by self-study. So, once again, I invite you to rethink your stance on tutoring, as I have, according to you, done the impossible -- raised my scores by more than 190 points by self-study.</p>
<p>(I'll find time later to respond to your other arguments :D)</p>
<p>Sincerely,
S_B</p>
<p>PS: I love debate.</p>
<p>dude, godot is right, there are a bunch of people at my school that cheated by buying the answers in advance from some teacher.</p>
<p>S_B,</p>
<p>First of all, I never said it was IMPOSSIBLE to improve by 300 points, only that it was very uncommon among CC'ers. Second, you are using the wrong basis of measurement again. I've certainly had students improve a TOTAL of 300 points or more over the course of three exams, but I am counting ONLY the latest set of exams. In other words, I'm only counting two exams, one they took before they started the tutoring with me (and the highest out of the previous scores, as I mentioned), and the one they took after the completion of the tutoring. All other exams are irrelevant.</p>
<p>Shaka, is that really true?? You mean students paid a teacher who was responsible for keeping the test books under lock and key?? It's even worse than I thought...</p>
<p>anonymous1300,</p>
<p>Watch the Emperor's Club. You're over-generalizing and rationalizing your behavior.</p>
<p>Okay, this isn't a response to thre previous string of posts on cheating. </p>
<p>Godot, awesome CC avatar. </p>
<p>Nothing Happens Twice by Samuel Beckett, like back-to-back Seinfeld episodes.</p>
<p>The irony and contrast between CC Godot and Beckett's everywhere-and-nowhere Godot sont tres amuses. </p>
<p>Donc, good luck with your CC cheating crusade.</p>
<p>OMG this is the funniest thread i have seen in a while</p>
<p>Jesus Christ, Godot, get a life! See, I'd spend my time and energy debating with you, but it's just a waste of time, as you keep on contridicting your initial arguments, which is pretty sad. Secondly, I would totally belonker you in a debate. So, please save me the trouble and energy, as I have other much important things to do such as my college applications, IB Extended Essay, IB TOK Essay, IB Examination preperation, chilling at my friend's house tonight, buying some nice wine, gettin' jiggi wit' it, and many other related things. So, Godot, as the sagacious Bob Marley once so eloquently stated, "Don't Worry; Be Happy". In other words, CHILLAX, maaaaan! Don't take things to seriously... mellow out! </p>
<p>Peace Bro,
S_B</p>
<p>I was witness to some of the most rampant cheating ever to occur on collegeboard test. It was for an AP and the teacher was in the room with us. he would look at the test book over students shoulders (that alone is a big no-no) and not-so inconspicuously tell everyone in the room the answers. The actual proctors were 100% aware of what was going on and did nothing. I was very good on the material, but what can I do when I hear the answer from a teacher on a question I wasn't sure about. That being said, it happened for me only once or twice and I got a 5, but I have no doubt that for some people the grade inflation was up to three points. This, however, is an extreme case with a very out-there teacher, not at all representative of my school.</p>
<p>I know of an SAT II Writing exam which was being proctored by an AP English teacher. She must have looked through the booklet ahead of time, and before the exam started she decided to teach a few rules to the group (which included primarily her students). She had the rules for subject/verb agreement with either/or and for subjunctive mood on the board and both types of questions were on the exam. Some teachers must feel pressure since they think that their students successes reflect their teaching ability. </p>
<p>Also, it's not just the weaker students who cheat because they feel they have to. I personally know a girl who is a junior at Harvard who did the old SAT II trick of signing up for three tests, putting all her time into the first two, and only released those scores. ETS got rid of that cheating option when they got rid of score choice. </p>
<pre><code>I'm pretty sure most kids and teachers are honest when it comes to these exams, but cheating has become a way of life for some.
</code></pre>
<p>easiest way for CB to stop cheating on SATIIs:Stop bathroom breaks. this is especially easy for math tests, handing over a calc with answers programmed in.
I bet its also possible to spend 2 hours or 3 on one subject test, by signing up for 2 or 3 and only taking one.</p>
<p>Thanks to everyone who replied with substantial replies. This thread has definitely been eye-opening for me, and I will definitely forward the information to ETS and the College Board. The SAT is already a flawed exam. Hopefully, we can eliminate some of the inequities involved in the testing process by ridding ourselves of all or most of these cheating incidents. I applaud those of you who insist on competing fairly and actually earning what you get, both in school and on exams such as the SAT. Contrary to popular belief, you DON'T need to cheat to get ahead in life. You are the ones who give us hope that our future leaders will not be as dishonest and corrupt as the present ones (think Bush with his "weapons of mass destruction"). I'll let you know if the lazy and incompetent bastards at ETS and the College Board respond.</p>
<p>As for S_B: Dude, join the debate team. I am floored by your cogent arguments. I can definitely see a future lawyer in you, with your astounding debate skills.</p>
<p>Godot, I'm with you. Seriously. Although I haven't actually witnessed much cheating going on, I'm sure it's possible and that it's done. PM me anytime if something comes up.</p>
<p>i don't give a ****
All I care is that CB use the same exam twice....which is really ****ing gay</p>
<p>In the grand scheme of life.... who gives a *<strong><em>? :) I honestly dont. I took SATs again for meeting my own goals. I see your point Godot, but most of us have already takin the SAT, its over. We dont give a *</em></strong></p>