<p>My cousin, a HS senior, took his SAT in November and scored 2100. However, in January, the ETS (Educational Testing Service) notified him that they were questioning his scores because of the difference between his PSAT (150 ish) and SAT. He only didn't take the PSAT seriously because he didn't think it was something to worry about. </p>
<p>After going through the process of trying to prove his innocence (which took about a month), they concluded that his scores were still questionable. Because at this point it was already February and acceptance letters were coming out, he wasn't going to choose any of the other options (cancelling the score, letting the schools handle it, arbitration) besides retaking the test. After another month, they scheduled the test for him in the end of March. He was at this point accepted into UCSD and UCLA. </p>
<p>The test results came out today, 3 days before the UC deadlines for acceptance. He confirmed the scores (scored within 100 points of his original score) of two sections, but not the third in Reading. This means his score will now be 1970 (only 510 in reading). Although we don't plan on cancelling all his scores, the ETS will cancel his old score and resend this new one. We don't know how long that will take. And we also don't know what the results from the schools will be, especially this close to the deadline.</p>
<p>Never heard of such a thing…talk to your son’s guidance counselor, call the schools, perhaps inquire about even getting a lawyer to dispute it (maybe too late)?</p>
<p>Crazy. How can the ETS arbitrarily make that determination? Students prepare for the SAT after taking the PSAT, especially if they were unhappy with their PSAT score. One would expect an improvement after prep. I do not think your cousin is giving you all the facts. Admission to the SAT testing site requires a photo ID, so what exactly is the ETS claiming? Someone else took it for him?</p>
<p>Thank you for all your advice. We’ll be talking to the schools and his guidance counselor.</p>
<p>The ETS hasn’t claimed anything specifically. Just that “there is evidence that your scores are invalid.” I’ve seen the letter they sent and they don’t provide any further information. They don’t give a particular reason. After we found out about this, he took the ACT and scored a 29 and took a TOEFL and scored 100, both of which should prove rather that his PSAT scores are invalid and not his SAT. He did take substantial SAT preparation courses after the PSAT for over a year as well. At this point, it looks like the ETS doesn’t care so we’ll have to hope the schools are a little more understanding.</p>
<p>If you Google SAT score cancellation, it turns out the within-100-point rule has been around for a while, though it does not seem to be widely published. So I wouldn’t bother challenging it.</p>
<p>Contacting the schools seems like the best suggestion so far. I would do so by priority mail. You don’t want to get an incorrect response from some student worker who can’t be bothered to find out for sure.</p>
<p>I agree that challenging it might not work, especially if it will take a long time. With time as our main constraint, I’m working on getting in touch with the admissions officers later today (called them already and they’re not available now). If they want us to, we will deliver the whatever packages they want to there in person or even meet with them. </p>
<p>Any chance you can provide a link? When I Google “SAT score cancellation,” all I see is stuff about how a student can request cancellation of their own scores.</p>
<p>I’m not sure why you are anticipating a problem with the universities. The score isn’t terribly different and the writing isn’t as important. I wouldn’t think it would be an issue if they already accepted him, it isn’t like he is back down to 1500.</p>
<p>Edit: maybe this comment isn’t worthwhile as I’m just surmising.</p>
<p>Just got off the phone with the UCs… they wont accept the new score since it would be counted as submitted after the deadline. He can’t go to any school…</p>
<p>Translated: the ETS thinks that your son cheated on the SAT, but does not have conclusive proof that he did.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Were there any earlier ACT or SAT scores sent to the colleges? If not, then his college choices are likely limited to very-late-deadline schools or starting at community college, unless the UCs or any other college are willing to accept the original score that the ETS wants to invalidate.</p>
<p>Perhaps this is another reason to take both the SAT and ACT in junior year, to allow time for retakes in case the test company decides to invalidate the first score.</p>
<p>In the letter, they said that it’s the difference in the PSAT and SAT scores that made them concerned. I do know that they believe he’s cheated and we prepared all sorts of evidence that he’s just that smart, but they didn’t accept that (4.5 GPA, 800s on other subject tests, teacher recommendations, etc). </p>
<p>As for other test scores, no, he didn’t take any other ACT/SATs prior to the UC deadlines. If he had, there may be more chances.</p>
<p>We talked to his case manager at the ETS and they said they wont take responsibility for this situation. I’m planning on getting in touch with her manager or whoever’s in charge and talking with him. We’re also going to try to talk with people in UCSD further as well. </p>
<p>.I would take this to the President of ETS. I think the suggestion of a lawyer is a good one, and if they have no evidence of his cheating other than the score difference, I don’t see how this can stand. Someone made this decision, and someone should take responsibility. Because of the consequences for this student, losing his place in university, the company should spell out exactly what evidence they have that cheating was involved. If they can’'t do this, they’re just guessing, and they will have to admit that.
I would also go to the press. But before you get too involved legally or publicly, make darn sure that the student didn’t cheat.</p>
<p>It seems they should consider reinstating his score after evidence that the increase is not a fluke–try lobbying for that.</p>
<p>That’s stunning. I can’t believe UC won’t take a later score for an accepted student with this unusual situation. They don’t think he cheated, the statistics indicate it is possible or likely. It is based on statistics not evidence of cheating. I hope you keep escalating. </p>
<p>Horrible. This is a harsh lesson to keep in mind for future students. Students have reported about canceled scores after large improvement in the past in the SAT forum but I haven’t heard about an admissions situation like this. Wish I knew something to help. </p>
<p>@moonchild - We completely agree. It may be bias, but I really don’t think he would be the type to cheat–he studies really hard and has great grades. It’s really unfair because he worked really hard to improve his score and now, he has to go to community college instead. And even worse for him at this moment is that he was the pride and joy of his school. Now he’s ashamed to even tell anyone about this, even though he did nothing wrong. We’re considering legal actions at this point, partly because of how long it took for the ETS to go through this whole process (which may have affected our approach/actions).</p>
<p>@BrownParent - Thank you. We went to UCSD today to try to talk to admissions but they had already closed. We’re thinking about going again tomorrow. Unfortunately, my cousin himself has already resigned to going to community college. It’s heartbreaking how defeated he is…</p>
<p>@collegebound752 - He had a 640. His score wasn’t within 100 points, which is why it’s not confirmed by the ETS’ standards. </p>
<p>You need to get to someone who can give you the facts upon which their allegation is based. Are they saying that he had someone else take the test? How else can you cheat on the SAT? There is a proctor at every exam administration and unless she/he reported something, what are they claiming? Your cousin had to provide a photo ID to enter the exam site. Was there an issue with the ID your cousin presented?</p>
<p>A fourth option included in this document not mentioned by the OP is to re-test and if the re-test proves the origina score is valid then original score will not be rescinded. Was this options offered? Has ETS indicated that the re-test did not prove the original scores valid?</p>
<p>I am so shocked by this and so sorry for OP’s cousin. I really hope they are able to follow up and get a better outcome. This is the sort of thing that could really screw up someone’s whole life.</p>