<p>But if the person obtained them illegally, then they are versions of actual tests not practice test.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>The first thing I would do is print out all of that kind of information at the site you used and print out the information from Pearson’s. You’ll have to meet with someone, I would try a different Dean, and start from there. Show them the difference between the sites and ask them to tell you what the exact violation is that you are being charged with.</p>
<p>Just because something is available without a warning on the internet, does not mean it is legal or ethical. I will be reiterating that with my own kids. </p>
<p>There are lots of free photos and music and software and such online, but many are being distributed in violation of many laws. Basically, it is stealing from the creator. I would stick with professor-sanctioned resources, tutors, etc. Most text-book web sites have great student study resources. Stay away from cowboy sites that offer things ‘free’ that clearly have value. Or in this case, may even violate student codes of conduct and have lasting, serious repercussions.</p>
<p>Water under the bridge for you, but a message more people need to hear.</p>
<p>I just got a pm from the OP describing the situation in a little more detail. The OP assures me that they didn’t realize that the weren’t supposed to use the tests.</p>
<p>In that case, the OP should make a defense saying that they legally obtained practice exams from websites. Any student in the class could have purchased the information, so they didn’t have an unfair advantage over other students. The material was on the open market to anybody who wanted it. The fact that the website had obtained the material illegally wasn’t apparant to the OP, and therefore, she shouldn’t be held responsible for someone elses problem.</p>
<p>I also suggested to the OP that she hire an attorney to help with the defense. The OP said that she was not a native English speaker. I think it’s always easier for a native English speaker to navigate a difficult situation like this than a non-native English speaker (even though that shouldn’t be the case).</p>
<p>Good luck to the OP.</p>
<p>Good luck, but there is still the question of academic integrity. Just because they are available does not make it OK.</p>
<p>Thank you for all your help folks. I will keep you posted as this case goes on. </p>
<p>I definitely agree with a lot of you said, I hope my case could serve as a warning and a example for those of you out there.</p>
<p>Yzhou06,</p>
<p>The main thing in American colleges is you aren’t held responsible to follow you didn’t understand, and you are generally forgiven if you break a rule that weren’t aware of. You indicated in the pm that the twins are not native English speakers and more than likely did not understand that academic integrity means that it is not permitted to download exams from the Internet. If this is the case, this should be made clear in the appeals process because the twins shouldn’t be held responsible if they didn’t understand how the academic integrity policy applied to internet study materials.</p>
<p>I’m not normally kind to people who are accused of cheating. This situation, though, sounds like a university administration that overreacted and is not giving due process to students.</p>
<p>From the OPs description, the twin sister being found guilty of cheating is unacceptable under American traditions. That’s saying somebody is guitly by association rather than by evidence.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Based on what I’ve seen, that’s probably not the best defense. At least at my school (and my high school before it), misunderstanding the policy is no defense for breaking it - the results are the same.</p>
<p>With that said, it depends on what the actual written policy of the school is - it may or may not have been a violation. Good luck to OP.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>In this case, the academic integrity policy has to define which materials can be used and which materials cannot be used, and in which circumstances the materials can be used.</p>
<p>The school cannot simply expect students to know that they shouldn’t purchase a practice test on the internet. It’s not wrong to buy study guides from the internet. Unless the school says something to the contrary, it generally is acceptable to use old exams passed by other students as study guides for new tests.</p>
<p>On the other hand, it is wrong to mispresent oneself to obtain tests (such as Pearson’s) and it is wrong to fradulently obtain them (such as by breaking into the professors office and photocopying the exam).</p>
<p>As an example, the University of Washington academic integrity policy doesn’t prohibit the use of sample exams as study materials. It only prohibits using an advance copy of the exam (which the OP didn’t do).</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>
Quite a generalization. I don’t agree. There had to be a second or two where one’s conscience felt just a little uncomfortable about this, no matter what the native language is.</p>
<p>“I have neither given or received nor have I tolerated others’ use of unauthorized aid.”</p>
<p>“On my honor as a student, I have neither given nor received aid on this assignment/exam.”</p>
<p>“I pledge my honor that I have neither given or received assistance on this test or paper outside of what was provided as part of the class.” </p>
<p>“I attest this is my own work and accept the consequences if it is not.”</p>
<p>“The members of the university community are reliable, responsible and honorable people who embrace only the success and recognition they deserve, and act with integrity in their use, evaluation and presentation of facts, data and documents.”</p>
<p>This is the basis of many honor codes. It does NOT have to spell out what is tolerated and what is not. What is honorable and what is not is not to list what is OK and what is not. If the help was not authorized, than that is that. If a student did not check with a prof to see if it was OK, it might not be OK.</p>
<p>When your kids studied for the SAT, did they buy sample tests ahead of time to prepare?</p>
<p>That is different than buying old or current test versions for a class that you are graded for and earning credit for, once that may or may not be obtained legally.</p>
<p>Now, going for a test prep at the college or U (often called supplemental instruction or SI), or paying to use tutors or a course tutoring service in the community where the college or U is located is done all the time. But buying tests online is like getting prescription drugs online without a prescription. It can be done. But it is not right, ethical and you know that you are treading on thin ice. It is a covert thing that is clearly done under the table. And it can be an honor violation.</p>
<p>If the test prep was provided by the prof, that is one thing. If you asked the prof if it was OK, then OK. But clearly there are less than honorable sources for study material. ESPECIALLY IF IT IS MARKETED FOR A CERTAIN PROF OR TEXT BOOK AND SOLD ONLINE.</p>
<p>“When your kids studied for the SAT, did they buy sample tests ahead of time to prepare?”</p>
<p>No, I would never suggest buying any sort of practice test. If the kids wanted a practice test for the SAT, I would suggest buying from the college board. For a college course, I would suggest asking the professor for suggested ways of studying. I do understand though, how someone can get involved with such a problem through misunderstanding and would appeal through the honor court of the school. You want to let the school know that you are following all the approved appeals processes. They’ll just get their hackles up if you try to go the route of an outside lawyer.</p>
<p>GTalum,</p>
<p>When you were an undergraduate, did you ever use old exams provided by more senior students to help study for a class?</p>
<p>Why does no one note the fact that this would not be a problem if professors took the time to make up their own tests?</p>
<p>I went to UVa and so, no, I did not use old exams. That was an honor code violation at that time.</p>
<p>I made extensive use of professors old exams for my undergraduate studies. They were passed down through many students. Sometimes the instructors made them available in the library or other places, but more often they did not. The professors were aware that their exams were floating around, so the current exam had different questions on it, but the old exams were similiar and very helpful to know what to expect.</p>
<br>
<br>
<p>Completely agree. There is no ambiguity or fuzzy ethical line to cross if the professors put a little bit of effort into making a fresh tests about twice a year.</p>
<p>Fourier “Why does no one note the fact that this would not be a problem if professors took the time to make up their own tests?”</p>
<p>DING DING DING DING, we have a WINNAH!</p>
<p>Back in the day, multiple choice tests were RARE. Profs made up their own tests (which involved actual problem solving and/or essays - what a concept! - not just choosing a,b,c, or d). There were no scantrons. The prof graded the tests, or else (for large courses) a team of TAs did, with the assistance of detailed grading criteria provided by the prof.<br>
What do TAs do these days - just load the freakin’ Scantron forms into the machine??</p>