So so basically, I’m a junior looking to major in chemistry in college. So here is how it went, in the period before my chemistry test, I asked a friend if the test was hard. Ok, I really regret that so it probably won’t happen again. Then, she started to talk about the materials on the test. I felt alarmed so I stopped the conversation, but the person behind me caught up and they started talking. Note we sit right in front of the teacher. Then that teacher saw it and reported to my chemistry teacher, my next periodic teacher. Luckily she did not deduct my grade on the test which I am very thankful of, but she directly told me that I was cheating and now two of my teacher and my guidance counselor thinks I am cheating. I tried to explain to them that I have never joined in the actual discussion about the test materials, and I could not have walked away because I did not know how to react at the moment AND I was supposed to sit my seat. Sorry, it might be kinda confusing to read, but could anyone help me? Should I just take the accusation and go on??? But the chemistry was the teacher whom I had the better relationships with.
I had to re-read your post several times. If that’s all there is to the story, I am having a hard time figuring out how you cheated. If all you did was ask if the test was hard, I’d grow a thick skin and move past any accusations. It seems like the teacher who overheard the friend talking overblew the situation, because gossiping about high school tests is as old as high school itself. Maybe the teacher was just trying to give you a scare (a warning), because if you were indeed cheating, she would have (and should have) dinged your grade.
I would try to talk to the teacher and clear the air, because your recs might be affected in the future.
Thank you for responding! Sorry I didn’t made it clear in the post, but the reason for being accused of cheating was how I had an unfair advantage over my classmate by learning what was on the test beforehand. And I argue that I did not because I was never active as part of that conversation. I’m pretty sure it was not a scare because my citizenship was dropped and by my school policy, it’s gonna make its way into letter of rec.
I know I shouldn’t have, but I already talked to her like three times and she all rejected and reasoned that I should have walked away and that was having advantage over my classmates. Should I go back again some days later? Thank you!
Oh and all of this was classified under academic dishonesty. Is my school just more strict than others? I feel like college is gonna assume I cheated like actually on my test 
Based on your posts in this thread, it seems to be a clear case of cheating and you got caught.
Wait, let me get this straight: the period BEFORE you took the test you found out from a classmate what was on the test?? And you’re being accused of cheating as a result. You brought no materials into the test, and you answered the questions without looking at anyone’s paper, consulting your phone or any other outside materials during the test??
Sorry, as someone who has been teaching since 1980, that’s not cheating, that’s lazy teaching.
Each kid taking a test should know what’s on it. They should have an idea of the topics and the relative weight of each topic on the test. I would certainly expect that sort of information before being evaluated for my job performance; I can expect no less of the kids I teach.
Each of my classes gets a different version of the same test, and the format is posted on my website the weekend before I give the test-- admittedly easier in math than in other classes. So 9th period has no more of an advantage than 1st-- they both know the topics and the format, they simply don’t know the actual questions they’ll be asked. But they know there will be 3 of this type worth 20 points each and 10 of those worth 4 points each.
Teachers who assume that kids don’t look at last year’s test, or talk to each other about what’s on a test are, at best, naive. And I don’t think it’s fair to hold kids to a standard that we wouldn’t tolerate. When I’m being observed, I know what my department chair is looking for, what his expectations are. I think that our kids in the classroom deserve the same courtesy when they’re being evaluated.
I would first look at the school handbook if one exists to find out school policy go up the chain of command and make an appointment with the guidance counselor to clarify for the future.
Did they discipline other students who talked about the test? Or just you?
I think learning what’s on the test, before the test, in another classroom where, in theory, you could then check materials before the actual test, is pretty darned iffy. Maybe you think you’re clear, because someone else was talking. But you heard. That’s probably the involvement you’re accused of. Not who initiated what. In real life, guilty by association.
Talk to your GC. Look at the Common App and the School Report for how this question about discipline history is worded. Some hs don’t report.
I think this “may” be minor. But your task isn’t just to explain to us. You need to figure it out with the GC snd make amends with the chem teacher. Maturely.