<p>Please help me out guys, I am very desperate here. T.T
I am a college junior right now. </p>
<p>I brought some test bank sample tests online for all my classes couple weeks ago. I figured it would be a good way to practice and get myself ready for the upcoming mid-term exams. I did not buy them out of any intention of cheating, nor do I know if any of my professors are using them on the test. However, the school found out and they are going to give me grade “F” for all my classes this semester. Apparently some professors use the exact same tests. I am devastated because I will not be graduating in time and because of all these Fs, I will not be receiving my scholarship next semester which means I have to be dropped out of school. The worst part is I have an identical twin sister, whom takes the same classes with me. They also gave her the grade “F” because they assume we look exactly the same and we are sisters so she would be using those test bank exams too. </p>
<p>I tried to talk to the Dean about it; however, he is extremely rude and impatient.He just told me to “Leave the room, I don’t care.” He wasn’t even trying to consolidate and help. I have no one to talk to about this. I have tried to talked to professors, but they all pointed me to the Dean as he represent the Academic Integrity committee. I am very sad and angry now. I couldn’t believe there is nobody I could talk to in the university about this issue. All of them seems to be shutting their door on me, Could anyone give me some good advises as what could be my next step? I will take this to the court if necessary. However, where could I go to talk to somebody about this? I am completely aimless right now. </p>
<p>I assume this will stay in my transcript which means I couldn't transfer either? and this violation of Academic integrity will stay with me forever.... </p>
<p>Please, if anybody could help me, or gave me some organization or names that could help me I will deeply appreciate it.</p>
<p>DO NOT post the sources where you bought the “sample test” but let us know the details. Some one reading this thread might have the wrong idea and got into trouble because of your disclosure.</p>
<p>How is this a ■■■■■? I didn’t mention anybody’s name, my university or where I brought the tests.</p>
<p>I mean, I am still confused, how is using test bank considered a violation of academic integrity? I didn’t steal the test from my professor, i brought them legally as practices tests.</p>
<p>I know you are a College Junior, but having a mom or dad in your corner might be what is needed to get the dean to listen. If not for you, then for perhaps your Sisters sake.</p>
<p>■■■■■ or not, it is a good warning to students or parents about the ethical missteps that can hurt a college career.</p>
<p>Colleges can’t punish her sister for the OPs actions. It’s illegal and would open them up to a lawsuit. Her sister can only be punished for her sister’s actions.</p>
<p>I think there is more to the story than is being posted here. And without knowing what actually happened, I can’t give good advise.</p>
<p>Your school probably has several “deans” with different roles. If the dean you tried to talk to was an academic dean, try talking to a dean of students.</p>
<p>My parents know about it, I am sorry I was a little emotional when I first wrote this thread, but this is not a ■■■■■. I guess my question is what’s the next step? is that mean My college career is ruined? if I transfer to another school this will carry with me right? my GPA is so low because of those Fs, I doubted I could transfer to any good schools. If I start all over again as a freshman at another college, would that be ok? man…this is gonna stay with me for life.</p>
<p>■■■■■ or real, it does bring up a good point:</p>
<p>If the college board charges you for copies of the test (SAT/MCAT/etc) and that is okay, why is it worthy of expulsion and Fs to buy a copy of a prior test from a test bank.</p>
<p>Each college has an appeals process. There are legal steps the college or university can take in matters such as this, and legal appeal steps you can take. Ask what the appeal process is, and start the process.</p>
<p>And there is a difference between old tests on file somewhere and someone gaining illegal access to a test bank like Pierson’s (available for almost all their textbooks) and selling tests from that access.</p>
<p>I would consult a lawyer, pronto. If things are as you say, you need legal counsel to represent your (and your sister’s) interests. The punishment seems extreme, and absolutely unjustified for your sister. This absolutely will follow you and I don’t think you could start over as a freshman elsewhere now without lying about this incident–and lying about (even a lie of omission) would not help you, it would make it worse.</p>
<p>If you made an innocent/misguided blunder, a lawyer may help you get withdrawn from courses without an “F” grade. If you were perhaps treading on risky territory and knew it, maybe they could help reduce the severity of the punishment. Then you could transfer elsewhere, and be a straight arrow in the future. </p>
<p>For others–if you are considering something like practice tests, I would stick with professor-sanctioned study aids. If in doubt, ask upfront.</p>
<p>How did you legally obtain test bank sample tests? </p>
<p>I mean - did you say “I am a college student and would like to purchase copies of your test banks for the classes that I am in.” </p>
<p>I’m guessing that you somehow misrepresented yourself as a professor at the college and used that misrepresentation to get the test bank sample tests. When the people selling the test banks tried to verify your professor status with the university, they saw you were a student and caught on to what you were doing. Misrepresenting yourself is a serious academic integrity violation.</p>
<p>Thanks for the help guys, I am going to look into the appear process and see if I could find something. As far as my sister concerns, she has definitely got nothing in this, we will use whatever it takes to get her out of this.</p>
<p>Test Banks:
Not all tests are illegally procured. Some students are setting up banks of info and tests. Unethical, and a honor code violation, but not illegal. Lots of info out there on the web. </p>
<p>I am a little confused about the differences between test bank and practice tests, are they the same thing? when I brought mine online, nothing was mentioned about verifying my professor or student status. I thought they were just practice tests for book that we are studying for. I figured it would be a good way to study for the exam. The school found out I was using these tests completely out of a random accident.</p>
<p>The place where I brought the exam did not have all these warnings or anything. It was very open and anybody could go and buy it. nothing of this sort was mentioned.</p>