<p>You draw the line using reason. That's how some people get probation for certain crimes while others get the death penalty. I'm not saying that what he did is correct, nor am I saying that it would be wrong if his test gets voided, I'm just saying in his case I wouldn't void the test.</p>
<p>I think that's just a little bit different.</p>
<p>But think about it: regardless, they punish anyone who breaks the law, whether they get a ticket or probation or whatever. They're not going to be like "Oh you only stole a can of hairspray so we'll just let you go."</p>
<p>I mean they could give him a stern warning, which is basically don't do this again, or else. Or take a retake and the test scores have to match up or something. I'd say the worst punishment would be to cancel the test and tell his gc, something that would be in this case like the death penalty.</p>
<p>Oh, I agree. </p>
<p>But I'm just saying that the OP seems to have expected them to just do nothing, which is unreasonable.</p>
<p>What FredFredBurger is saying makes sense, but is difficult to put into practice. So if cheating on three questions is not that big of a deal and only merits "a stern warning", the ACT should release a scale that converts the size of the cheat to the manner of punishment. This is how judges use their discretion to serve criminals graded sentences correlating to the severity of the crime. Otherwise, simply allowing each proctor to subjectively decide the punishment is unfair to other students and even other cheaters, some of whom will be handled more leniently than others. Since the ACT has adopted a no-holds approach to cheating, I think the only fair punishment to the OP's friend would have been to dismiss him from the room and void his test. </p>
<p>Sure, that's harsh, maybe even unfairly harsh. But the friend brought it upon himself. It's not like someone else forced him to cheat. There's an easy way to avoid punishment -- follow the rules. When you see the word STOP in huge black bolded letters, stop.</p>
<p>Like I said earlier, very few people, like myself, have no time to read anything else but the questions themselves.
Anyway, what is the worst-case scnario in this situation? What's the worst ACT can do? Just void this one test? Will they brand him as a cheater in front of his entire school as well? Will his teachers need to know about this too?</p>
<p>The worst they could do is not only void your test but call your parents and your school. Presumably if the Principal knows so will your GC. I know it really sucks but your friend should not have been caught cheating.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Ehh, I'm not sure it's that ridiculous.
[/quote]
I wasn't saying that the idea of 50% is ridiculous (for all I know, it could even be higher). I was saying that it was ridiculous that that particular percent was given with no basis or proof whatsoever.</p>
<p>Go ahead and cheat, whatever, I don't care. But if you get caught, be prepared to pay the consequences and not whine about it.</p>
<p>Same thing goes with anything else- do whatever you feel like it so long as you are prepared for the punishment. I.e. me choosing to opt out of a school function knowing I'd probably get a detention. I knew it was wrong, but did I really care about getting a detention? No- it was my own fault. On the other hand, I would never cheat if I knew there was some slim chance that I might get caught. It's not worth the possible consequences.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Like I said earlier, very few people, like myself, have no time to read anything else but the questions themselves.
[/quote]
So what? The science section itself isn't designed for you to be able to get through it all anyway.</p>
<p>have they ever called a school before to notify them about anything like this?</p>
<p>He (or you, if you like writing in 3rd person) didn't cheat smart enough.
Oops!</p>
<p>they let "him" finish the test so that if they don't void it, they have a score</p>
<p>at the time of the cheating, the proctor wasn't sure how far the student had gone, so reacted </p>
<p>they may void the test, they may not, they may contact the school, they may not, it wasn't the worst mistake in the world, but it was pretty stupid and careless</p>
<p>what happens if 3 portions of your ACT test is the exact same bubble letters than the person next to you. I heard the ACT company can tell and will void both tests even though they werent caught cheating or helping eachother in the testing room?</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Yup, the ACT keep statistical tracks on answer scores for everyone in the classroom and they have complete access to seating charts and much more about the relation between people. You will get caught if you outright copy.</p>
<p>haha im guessing chances are high the people will get caught? what happens, is that test just unvalid?</p>
<p>Your friend’s act of cheating was one that surely had the primary purpose of obtaining an advantage through means clearly prohibited by the College Board’s instructions. It’s perfectly reasonable to void his test; furthermore, it’s entirely unreasonable not to.</p>
<p>oh i completely understand, but we made a bet because I thought if the ACT board found out they can contact your school and my friend said they only void it because it happens all the time so i was curious</p>
<p>^THREAD is 2 years old.</p>
<p>thread necro</p>
<p>Whatever happens happens. He gets voided, so what… it’s not the end of the world. He doesn’t, he got lucky…just don’t do it again! Life goes on!</p>
<p>What is a red-flag?</p>