Theory on cheating

Test Preparation
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<p>Disclaimer: I'm NOT starting this thread with the intent of encouraging cheating. I took the SAT this Saturday and spotted some possible flaws in the test taking process. I would just like to hear other people's opinion on these observations.</p>

<p>I am an international student and took the SAT in my country, which by the way, has a rich history of corruption. </p>

<p>During testing I didn't observe any serious violations of the rules besides the proctor allowing calculators on the table at all times( I thought you were allowed to have it on the table only when you took the Math section)</p>

<p>Also, I noticed one girl casually flipping her answer sheet to a previous section, my guess is that it was the writing section, but then again I was busy with my own test and didn't pay much attention to that. </p>

<p>Besides that, I didn't notice anything wrong. Only when I got home, I started to realize how easy it is to outsmart the SAT. </p>

<p>Knowing how people can get really creative with cheating in my country, I started to play out all kinds of scenarios in my head, most of which involved the process of what happens to our answer sheets after the proctor collects them.</p>

<p>We write the SAT in pencil. Pencil can be erased very easily. We all know that. What I don't know is what happens to our tests the moment the proctor collects them. We don't seal our answer sheets, nor have any guarantee that our answers are protected from any attempts at modifying them by someone else. And since I'm an international, are the tests verified in my country or do they send them to the US? If they do send them there, when do they do that, and what is the exact process?</p>

<p>Call me paranoid, but some people have truly evil intents when it comes to college applications. Some are ready to harm fellow students just to increase their own chances. There aren't a lot of people applying to US Colleges from my country, but still, the competition is harsh. </p>

<p>Here's a hypothetical case:</p>

<p>Student A knows ahead of time who is going to be the proctor, or is even related to him. They make an arrangement and the proctor agrees to "help" Student A after the test is over. The proctor can take Student A's answer sheet after the test is done and go over the answers/ make corrections/ or even have Student A return in person to complete the work. If somehow, this is not possible, the least Student A can do is ask the proctor to erase and mess up on purpose with other students' answers. By doing this, Student A increases his/her chances(assuming that people in my country apply to pretty much the same colleges)</p>

<p>That was just a theory of mine, I truly hope that this is not the case in real life. If you have any knowledge that could possibly refute my theory, please let me know. It would be great to have a reassuring thought to cling on until the scores are released.</p>

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<p>Sadly, there’s very little reason this couldn’t happen assuming that the proctor(s) and student(s) have that kind of relationship. I doubt someone would go through the trouble of ruining other kids tests rather just improve the cheating student(s)'s test as that raises the chance of kids going, “I’m sure I did better, can I get a re-score/score the test myself.”</p>

<p>Unless you’re confident that some form of cheating is going on or have some proof/reasonable suspicions, I’d calm down.</p>

3

<p>When i took the test, we were only seven. And there was only one proctor during the whole time, and we were in some random room in the building. So basically no one else than the proctor knew we were doing the SAT, this being said. I think it could be very easy to corrupt the proctor, say everyone gives him 200 $, and he gives us more time, or stuff like that. I’m sure this kind of scenario is easily applicable, at least in poorer countries.</p>

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<p>@quadmaster, I agree that this is very unlikely to happen, but even if someone asked for a re-score, they wouldn’t be able to prove that their answers have been messed up with because as far as I know, we don’t get to see our answer sheet in case we ask for a re-score. I try to be as optimistic as possible, but when you grow up in a country where everything can be bought, you simply can’t help but be suspicious about pretty much everything that goes on.
I noticed one student speaking in a familiar manner with the proctor before and after the test, but it wasn’t inappropriate or anything like that. It was more like exchanging some jokes. I don’t know what to make of this really. </p>

<p>After reading and hearing so many stories about people who cheated on the SAT, I can’t help but wonder if CB is oblivious to these facts? Do they know how easy it is to break their rules (especially in a foreign country)? Do they really trust ALL the proctors they hire?
I feel that they do not put too much effort into making sure that the process is handled well, especially in a country so far away.</p>

<p>There are some simple things they can implement, yet they don’t. The least they can do is provide an envelope with the answer sheet and make us seal it with our signature after the testing is done. In my opinion, this is a good measure to ensure that the answers can’t be altered after the testing is done.</p>

<p>@meriks That’s exactly what I mean. Proctors have way too much power over the process and CB seems to not care enough about this. </p>