<p>This is an unusual situation. Proctor for son's June SAT subject tests, accidently dropped a Marker Board Eraser on his Answer Sheet. The proctor then proceeded to try to remove as much of the "black" specks and marks from son's answer sheet as possible . He said those black marks should not affect the scanning of the answer sheet. Son told us this immediatedly when he came home after the test.</p>
<p>Yesterday we got the results of the June subject tests. 790,750 and 690.
The 690 is the weakest of his 3 subjects but he did managed a 750 in the practice test (CB real subject tests). And he says that the Spanish part of the answer sheet got the most of the black marker specks.<br>
He also expected higher than 750 and 790 for those 2 subjects respectively but scores may be attributed to careless mistakes. </p>
<p>Should we request for Hand Scoring? I heard that almost nobody ever got back a positive result from Hand scoring.</p>
<p>It sounds like hand-scoring would be worth it in this situation, if only for your peace of mind. </p>
<p>Assuming all went well (normally) with the test administration, the chances of the scanner making an error are infinitesimal. However, this situation is not exactly normal. I don't know how likely it is that the result will change (especially considering the reported scores were not dramatically different from those you expected), but it can't hurt. You'll rest easier knowing how he really did.</p>
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He also expected higher than 750 and 790 for those 2 subjects respectively but scores may be attributed to careless mistakes.
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<p>These are wonderful scores. It does not take many errors to score lower--maybe one or two. As far as adcoms are concerned, a 750 and a 790 are pretty much the same as an 800.</p>
<p>The only score that would be questionable would be the 690. Handscoring seems a good option, as etselec suggested, for your own peace of mind.</p>
<p>Hand scoring would probably be worth it, like etselec said, for peace of mind, but I wouldn't expect a change. Spanish scores and frequently lower than other subject test scores for typical students because so many native speakers take the test and skew the curve. It's less so for Spanish than, say, Korean, where almost all of those are either native speakers or know it from home, but the Spanish scores can still be skewed by it. It's a tough test to do well on.</p>
<p>I would definitely go for the hand-scoring though, and scores like 750 and 790 can result from 2-3 and 1 missed problem, respectively. In all likelihood, those are the actual scores. A simple misread question or hurried answer can result in scores like that.</p>
<p>Thank you for all your input. I guess my biggest fear is College Board being "mean" on purpose just so that they don't look bad. CB does not like refunding the $50 nor admit that there is an any error on their part.<br>
A student from this forum posted that she requested for hand scoring for last October's SAT, in November. CB replied in December that there is no change in her score. Later she received a letter telling her that she is one of the 4000 whose SAT had been incorrectly graded. Makes you wonder how CB did a hand scoring for this student in the first place.<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=155227&highlight=hand+scoring%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=155227&highlight=hand+scoring</a></p>
<p>We will probably request a hand scoring just for peace of mind like many of you suggested. And hopefully CB will not lower the scores on purpose to be mean. (on their website CB stress that request for hand scoring MAY result in lower scores) </p>
<p>In this case since all 3 tests were taken on the same day, does anyone know if CB would want us to specify which one of the 3 we would liked hand scored? Or would CB hand score the whole answer sheet involving all 3 tests?</p>
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<p>He also expected higher than 750 and 790 for those 2 subjects>></p>
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<p>I hate to say it...but how much higher would he have expected...a perfect 800? These scores are more than respectable. As noted above, handscoring would involve ALL three subject test taken on the same day. You do not have the choice of having one handscored. Is it possible with handscoring that the two scores in the 700s would go down?</p>
<p>F - One additional comment. The Student Score Report lists not only the test score, but also the score range, which is explained as follows: "Your performance is best represented by the score ranges above. If you had taken different editions of the test within a short period of time, your performance would probably vary slightly on the 200 to 800 scale." FWIW, the score range for an 800 (in at least 1 subject test that I know of) is: 770-800. The 790, therefore, for all intents and purposes, is essentially an 800, and the 750 isn't far behind.</p>
<p>Don't forget that taking 3 tests in one day is not the same as taking a practice test at home, taking a break, and taking another one in the afternoon - fatigue can make a big difference, not to mention real time clock pressure.</p>
<p>Obviously, retaking is less expensive, but that depends on whether your S needs the Oct & Nov administrations for a retake of the Reasoning Test, and whether EA/ED will be an option.</p>
<p>You might call or write a letter to CB and ask that they hand-score at no charge since their proctor (who recieves a paid stipend) made the mess.</p>
<p>If you can afford the hand-scoring, go for it.</p>
<p>If you can explain why you would like the hand-scoring, then do so in the most non-confrontational manner possible. "I am requesting hand scoring because I am concerned that the computer may not have properly read my answer sheet. A proctor accidentally dropped a black pen on my page; although he was phenomenally helpful and got a lot of the black off the page, there was still some remaining. For my own peace of mind, I would like to ensure that the computers properly read the score sheet."</p>
<p>Make it sound like a horrible accident, you love College Board, and would they so kindly double-check your score sheet for you.</p>
<p>Thank you for all the helpful comments.<br>
Aresathena, thats a good one. Make it sound like a horrible accident and that you love CB. lol
Btw, S recieved 5s for the 2 subjects where the SAT2 scores were 700s, US History and Chemistry. He will be doing AP Spanish next year. So the 690 score may reflect his actual ability since he has only completed Spanish 4 Hons instead of AP Spanish prior to taking the Subject test.</p>