arronnie

Don't see how having photos is a big deal. I'm an international student, and our TOEFL score reports require a photo.

TheBonus

Does this occur for SAT Subject Tests as well?

TheLonelyOne

What is "standby registration?"

Descartesz

"Standby registration" refers to the procedure in which a person desiring to take a test shows up and registers at a test site on the morning of the test. ID is required, cost is higher, and admission is first-come-first-served contingent on space and resources, but this has long been an option available at both SAT and ACT test sites.

http://professionals.collegeboard.co...st-day/standby
http://www.actstudent.org/regist/standbytest.html

liujunyi2

Nice.
And a better anticheating action is NOT TO REPEAT OLD QUESTIONS. Or answers can still be BOUGHT in advance, as 2011.6, 10, 11 and so on HK tests, enabling unprepared students earn 2250+ easily.

BuckeyeatHeart

For those who are concerned with the possibility of their photo being attached to their scores going to colleges, the NY Times article referenced earlier specifically says that this policy may be reconsidered. Nothing is set in stone; they are just trying to come up with steps to keep the identity fraud from happening.

I do not understand why some think this new change would still encourage students to switch tests who are in the same room. Why in the world would I want to switch with someone else if we are both taking the same exam? If both of us are equally intelligent, wouldn't the scores still be the same (or similar) to what I would have earned on my own? If one is more intelligent than the other, the scores would reflect this, so what is the purpose?

tokenadult

It sounds like these measures make it harder for students who have graduated from high school and matriculated at a college not to be tracked when they take the SAT, which MIGHT be to gain transfer to a new college, but is usually to take the test for someone else as a "ringer" or to harvest test items for a test-prep course.

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schoolhouse

is this geared to that certain student that wants to go to that certain university, that will do most anything to get in? I just don't see that happening for state u. So, maybe the likihood of those individuals seeking admissions to those select college should just receive more attention and review.

Longhaul

I'm an adult. In our area, both back in my day & for my son, the proctors were ALWAYS very aware & very strict.

As far as photo ID -- My son had a letter form High School with photo and school seal on it to take the SAT because he has no other id.

I take many tests for my industry at "testing centers." I think moving forward, SAT/ACT should just go the way of Promatic Testing centers/CPA exams/etc where finger printing is required. Maybe by the time my youngest is taking the SAT it will just be an eye retina scan.

The thing is, cheaters will always find a way around the system.

arkbro

No, there are tests (I think the GRE and MCAT) where it is impossible to cheat. If ETS/ACT spent more money and time on security measures, none of this would even be an issue


Why would someone be upset with a college being able to see what you look like? Are you guys ugly or something?

laplatinum

I've got a great idea. Scrap these high priced ordeals that only benefit the College Board and ACT who basically own me, based on how many thousands of dollars I have shelled out for them. They are biased assessments that favor privileged kids. It is a total racket. Period.

ckcollege

I'm happy that they're at least moving in the right direction. I know someone personally who cheated on the ACT--her score jumped 8-10 points (if not more) the second time and for some reason, no one seemed to find this suspicious enough to look into.

I don't think cheating can ever be 100% prevented but it can be continually discouraged and made more difficult.

wayward_trojan

I fail to see why they don't adopt the LSAT precautions:

(1) Photo
(2) Government ID
(3) Fingerprints taken on test day and when you take the bar - if they don't match, you don't practice.

Though in the case of undergraduate students, your fingerprints are taken when you apply to graduate. Different prints = degree rescinded.

xleadinglifex

This seems to be in direct retaliation to the kid from my school getting caught cheating on the SAT. He was really good at taking the SAT so he figured he'd offer to take it for other people. They would print off a fake ID with his picture on it. He eventually started charging $2,000 for his services plus the cost of a roundtrip flight from his college after he graduated. By the time he was caught he had taken the test for 17 different people, including females. At least by sending the photo to the highschool they would ideally catch the differences for some of these students, so I do think it does an ok job at fixing this. Not ideal, but it can't be

choirfarm

I'm trying to figure out how this works for homeschoolers. If the high school has the id..we are the high school. So will you upload a picture when you register for the exam itself? He has always had to show id at his testing center. Also, does this mean there will be a picture on the actual SAT or ACT score report?