<p>Today was a great day up until the last 5 minutes of my PSAE.</p>
<p>This morning I am feeling great. I eat a nice hearty breakfast after getting up from a 9 hour sleep. I go outside and do some exercise to get nice and loose for the big day.</p>
<p>The English test is a breeze. I finish 15 minutes early and go through to check for mistakes. No errors - 36 English. After the math test I am almost giggling with joy because it was so easy. I finish 10 minutes early and go back to check for any mistakes I might have made. I correct (hopefully) my only 2 careless mistakes - 36 math. The reading is a typical reading test, and I'm not a very fast reader to begin with. I finish the reading test, but don't have time to go back and check my answers. I feel confident that I still have a perfect 36.</p>
<p>Then the science section. Most students have a problem with the science because they are so tired and fatigued. I am no exception. I take my time as I go through the test, making sure I do not make silly mistakes while trying to stay awake. I feel like I'm confident enough in my answers that I haven't missed any. The proctor calls time and I still have 2 questions left unanswered. I look up and she is staring right at me. She knows me personally because she has been my math teacher for three years. We have a very good relationship and I think I am one of her favorite students that she's taught.</p>
<p>Mrs. T***** starts walking around the room to collect the answer sheets. Before she gets to my desk I quickly fill in C for my last 2 ovals. She takes my test without eye contact or recognition. When we are about to be dismissed, she tells me that she needs to talk to me in private. What could be the problem? She tells me that she saw me fill in the last 2 questions and that she has to count my test as void. I have to re-take it on May 8th.</p>
<p>I feel so bad. A high 35/low 36 would have been a significant improvement to my previous score of a high 31. Mrs. T***** is a very good teacher, but was she too strict? I understand that this was completely wrong and unfair to other students trying to get a good score, but I was under the impression that what I did was not so uncommon. Do the rest of you know anybody who does this, perhaps even yourself? I feel confident that I should be able to get a similar score on May 8th but I was really looking forward to not having to stress over the ACT anymore. I also want to know what I should say to her the next time I see her. What's the best way to let her know that I'm sincerely sorry, that I'm not a cheater, and that I feel bad for what I've done. One response I'd like to not hear from you guys, though, is "you deserve it." Just thought I'd share. Cautionary tale for potential scumbag cheaters like me. Thanks
:/</p>
<p>Don’t be too hard on yourself, many people would have behaved the way you did. It just sucks that your test is voided, but overall just tell your teacher that you are sorry and it won’t happen again. I wouldn’t get a rec from her at this point though-- you pretty much ruined the chances of that happening. If she is not your teacher currently, then it really isn’t a big deal. The only part that is very annoying is the ACT not counting.</p>
<p>another question – My previous score of a 31 was with the writing portion. The PSAE does not offer a writing portion. Can I use my score w/o writing for colleges that require it? I mean can I send my writing score as well as my non-writing scores, or can I only send in tests that have the writing portion?</p>
<p>I’m so sorry to hear that this happened to you. A lot of people would have done the same thing in your position. I took the PSAE today as well. You seem like a really smart person, and I agree that they are too strict about the ACT. I think that you will do a really good job on the May 8th ACT, and a 31 ACT score is still really good. That score puts you in a good position to get a 35 or 36 Good luck!!<3</p>
<p>What would it matter if you can send it or not if it is voided? But if it isn’t voided, then you have to call the school. For example, I called NU beforehand and they said it was okay to send it as long as you had another score w/ writing! Not all schools do this, however.</p>
<p>Danng bro! You should’ve done something, like told her that she could erase the last two answers if that makes her feel better. If she really was a good teacher I don’t think she would have been so misunderstanding. That really sucks man, but I would have tried to plead a bit more, if it really was just two questions. Sounds like you’ll do well anyways tho. good luck man!</p>
<p>Update: my guidance counselor gave me some bad information. Because I violated ACT rules I’m ineligible for the make-up test. This means I have to schedule for the June ACT</p>
<p>thevalidity, this psae is a graduation requirement for all juniors in IL. So, do you have to repeat junior year? if not, how will they satisfy the requirement?</p>
<p>Your teacher was out of line even if she was following the rules. Those rules are there to prevent cheaters from collaborating after the test is done and not to hurt students that would have only a 25% chance to get it correct on guessing anyway. Knowing when to fill bubbles at the last second is hard to judge anyway, because, you are given a 5 minute warning and not a 10 second warning.</p>
<p>I don’t care if she was following protocol, some regulations are just not cool on the grassroots level and I’m shocked at how closely she would follow a pretentious rule.</p>
<p>Personally, I would be ****ed and wouldn’t apologize. I mean she already doesn’t respect your camaraderie over the stupid machine-like rules of the ACT. Morally, I would say that you aren’t at fault here, rules can be broken without you being a bad person. An apology isn’t in line.</p>
<p>Fallpsat
That’s a very good point. I’ll have to ask my guidance counsellor about that.</p>
<p>And to everybody else… I know this really sucks and that I’m not the only person guilty of doing this. After a lot of reflection, though, I am going to take the high road. How noble, right? But really. I put my teacher in an awkward position and she did the right thing.</p>
<p>I think I can do just as well on my next test and I think apologizing will help my peace of mind, her peace of mind, and my reputation around the school. I’m sure she feels just as bad as I do. By looking at this in a more positive way this was just a practice test to help set me with the next test I take.</p>
<p>I mean if you filled in the bubbles around less than 10-12 seconds after time is called, it would probably be unfair if she took your test as the timing is pretty imprecise and the time difference is negligible.</p>
<p>But otherwise, he was doing the right thing I suppose. Even for something this insignificant, rules need to be enforced (otherwise it’s a slippery slope).</p>
<p>I made sure when I took it, I put my pencil down almost immediately, about 5 seconds after time was called just to fill in a last bubble if I needed. I was really paranoid of throwing away all my effort just over a question worth 1 point.</p>
<p>Sorry to bring this back up again, but will anybody be able to know this happened? Like it won’t ever be reported to colleges I apply to will it?</p>
A lot of people would have done the same thing in your position. I took the PSAE today as well. You seem like a really smart person, and I agree that they are too strict about the ACT. I think that you will do a really good job on the May 8th ACT, and a 31 ACT score is still really good. That score puts you in a good position to get a 35 or 36 
Good luck!!<3</p>