<p>I took the SAT today and was incredibly annoyed and upset with the testing practices of the school. I have taken the SAT a couple of times, but I usually go to my own high school (they follow the college board rules to a tee). However, my school wasn't administering it today so I went to a local public high school. Since I have so many complaints, I am just going to list them below. </p>
<p><em>While I was waiting in line to get checked in, a girl in front of me told a teacher that she did not have a photo I.D of any kind. The teacher told her that she could not be let in without one and advised her to try and find anything with her name and picture on it. </em>Cue a second teacher who wasn't even part of the check in process* The guy comes up and says that he knows the girl from his class and that she goes to the school. The first teacher tells him that they just can't let people in like that (rightly so). Anyway, I had to leave for my assigned room so I assumed the girl was not let in. To my surprise, I saw the same girl waiting outside a classroom during the break. So I am assuming that she was indeed let in. Now I acknowledge that I don't necessarily know what went on after I left, but I think the situation warrants some looking into. </p>
<p>*My proctor was horrible. After the start of the test was delayed ten minutes, she finally started reading the instructions at an incredibly fast pace. Prior to this she didn't even bother to get out of her chair and verify our ID's/admissions tickets or check or calculators. She simply did a roll call to determine who was in the room. As well, two people were missing from the roster but they later came in before we started the test. However, the second kid who walked in wasn't even on the official list (of course my proctor didn't realize this until after section 1). So then the whole room had to wait to start section 2, because the proctor had to call the office. Two minutes later, some woman opens the door and just looks at the student harshly and wags her finger for him to leave - he never returned back to the room. </p>
<p>*I know this is partially my fault for not bringing a watch, but my testing room had a standard clock (not digital) on the far left hand side of the room. This would not have been an issue if my proctor knew how to read time. On multiple occasions our start and stop times were 1-2 minutes off. Another student even mentioned to her that we still had a minute left but she just ignored him. I know its not that much of a difference but we all know how big of an impact a couple of extra seconds can make on a section. Personally, I think they should mandate timers for administrators but I digress. </p>
<p>*My proctors phone rang (loudly!) during a section...enough said. </p>
<p>*Multiple teachers walked in and out of the room for each section, disturbing the environment.</p>
<p>*Other students were eating and drinking INSIDE the testing room. The student behind me was chomping away at something throughout one entire section. Just hearing the obnoxious noise was distracting enough. </p>
<p>*This one I did not personally see but my friend in front of me witnessed. This same kid who was eating behind me, was also on his cell phone during the test. Now for some credibility of this kid, he came into the room 3-5 minutes late after each break. He obviously didn't care so I don't think he was opposed to breaking any rules. </p>
<p>*I personally saw students filling in answers to sections before the proctor called to open our test booklet. </p>
<p>These are all the grievances I could think of off the top of my head (there's probably a dozen more I didn't see or remember lol). My question is whether or not I should make a test complaint. I am currently a senior and I retook the SAT so I could hopefully improve my scores and send them to my deferred colleges (UChicago and UMich). Plus, I wouldn't mind higher scores to send to my other colleges that super score. Personally, I feel I improved on my writing and math sections. Therefore, I really can't afford to have these scores cancelled or to retake the test later. Should I file a complaint or should I just hold my tongue and let it go? </p>
<p>Thank you, and I wish everyone well in the college process! :)</p>