<p>Woah, how would he cheat without getting caught like that? Wouldn’t it be obvious to the proctor if some kid were blatantly staring at someone else’s paper for the entire test?</p>
<p>You can’t extrapolate your reasoning to murder.</p>
<p>Perhaps you’re of an older generation, but kids these days have the perception that cheating, sleeping through half the test, not studying, not trying hard, etc. is cool. It shows that wow!, this kid isn’t even trying and got such a high score, I wish I could be like that. You can play the ethics card, but there’s just something about not putting in an effort and receiving high marks that draw allure to students. I highly suspect this is the case here.</p>
<p>As for copying ovals, it’s really not easy at all. The seats are much much further apart than in a normal classroom setting. The general rule of thumb for SAT seating is you take a normal classroom, and skip each row. So instead of looking directly next to you, you would have to look 2 desks over. At that distance, not only is looking at the ovals hard, but certainly disorienting. You may get away with looking at the first couple answers or the last few since you have some markers for where they are, but it really really gets muddled in the middle.</p>
<p>And this is assuming that you have free reign in copying the answers. The test taker is obviously going to be going back in forth, sliding the answer sheet under the book, moving it around, etc. Some like to work with their heads on the table, their hands on their heads, etc. all obstructing a clear view of the answer sheet.</p>
<p>People keep saying how it would be near impossible to copy the ovals because the tables are required to be set apart at a certain distance, how there are proctors, etc. but IT IS ENTIRELY POSSIBLE (though not very easy). </p>
<p>I say this because during one SAT sitting at my school, I know one of the teachers just walks in and out of the classrooms all the time and has even accidentally incorrectly calculated the time (gave them extra time) given to people before. And even though tables in my school are set up at the required distance, I have noticed some people shifting tables slightly to the side (whether this was done intentionally, I don’t know) so with good eyesight, they may be able to see the tests of people around them…</p>
<p>But I do agree that to have copied ALL the answers from the answer sheet seems unrealistic ^_^</p>
<p>However, @ OP, if you ARE certain of cheating, you should absolutely report it. It’s not a matter of being a rat or not. It is unfair, not only to you but to every single other person taking that test or applying to UT austin and people should not be allowed to get away with stuff like that.</p>
<p>Your friend told you in confidence that you wouldn’t rat him out. Do you want to break that trust. Eventually intense guilt will probably set in though.</p>
<p>“He called me that saturday at 3pm… “DUDE I GOT TO SIT NEXT TO SO AND SO, I SO GOT A 2400 AND I BARELY STUDIED OMG…” and I was too angry to even respond…”</p>
<p>Why on earth would someone scream into the phone and be proud he cheated?
Really? o_O</p>
<p>Wait, I don’t remember having empty rows between us when I took the SAT. :s</p>
<p>All have to say is what goes around comes around, karma baby. I know it seems frustrating but eventually it will all catch back up with him and he will have duh himself a big hole. Hang in there.</p>