So I was unclear with the rules of the ACT, I thought that you could change answers from other tests as long as you don’t go back to other sections in the test booklet. I had left a few open because I ran out of time so I filled them in at random after the section finished. But I was dismissed, is there any way I can still get into college? I’m really worried that I won’t be able to get into college and not be able to have a successful future.
You will have to retake the test at a later date or take the SAT (which has similar rules - remember that). Or you can find a college that doesn’t require testing.
There are many great test optional colleges. I believe that Bowdoin College in Maine is test optional.
Not the end of the world or your potential college career. Learn from your mistake and don’t EVER do it again. Register and pay to take it again, or take the SAT. Going back once you’ve finished a section is considered a former of cheating. Usually the directions are very clear about that on standardized tests.
I am assuming you are not applying for entry into college beginning August 2018 but instead actually have time to take another test before applying for college to begin in 2019 or after. In that case, your option is simply to retake the test or take an SAT. If the concern is having colleges find out that you were dismissed from a test, be aware that will not occur unless you tell colleges that fact. ACT will provide nothing about the Feb test or your dismissal from it to any college to which you apply
Thank you, I plan on taking the ACT again in April, maybe June is that doesn’t go well.
What do you mean by going back to other tests but not other sections? Did you finish say the Science early and then answer open questions on Math? Of course that’s not allowed, you can always change answers in the section you’re on. If the proctor saw you working after he or she said time is up, you’re going to get dismissed.
You were warned not to return to earlier subtests by the proctor. You were dismissed because you did return and were caught completing the test form. The proctor assumes you were reviewing earlier tests because it is silly to bubble items you have not read. These tests are serious business and parsing directions to gain extra points maybe does not guarantee that you did not return to actual questions.
Next time, when the proctor tells your group that you have five minutes left on that test section, go to the end of that section on your answer sheet, and fill in your random bubbles backwards until you reach the point where you were when that announcement was made. This will not take much time at all, and will mean that you will have something answered for every question.
Then go back to reading the test items, and work your way through as much of the exam section as you can in the remaining time. Erase and change the answer bubbles as you go if/when you find that you “guessed” wrong earlier.
“The proctor assumes you were reviewing earlier tests because it is silly to bubble items you have not read.” I’m not really sure what this sentence means since it’s quite normal to guess when you’ve run out of time on a multiple choice test, even without looking at the questions at all.