Is this cheating, or just really good studying?

Pre-College Issues High School Life
#1

<p>I had an AP stat final the other day. I was told that the free-response would be from previous AP exams. Now, the test was split into two days. The free-response was, in fact, actual questions from previous exams. Since those were, I figured the next class' multiple choice section would be from an AP exam as well. So, I looked online and noticed the only ones really released were 1999,2002,2007, and 2010. Now, We took 2007 for a practice test, so I knew it wasn't going to be that. They administered this same final (was told) last year so I figured it couldn't have been the 2010 final, and for some reason 1999 seemed too outdated. So, to study, I basically memorized the answers from the 2002 test (Looking at each question and remembering the answer, not like ABCDEDCB because that'd be too hard). Sure enough, the next day there were the answers I had studied.</p>

<p>Most people got below a 70, looking at their papers, and it is curved so my score will look abnormally large. Could this be considered cheating? To me it's just using good reasoning...</p>

#2

<p>no it's not cheating because the teacher told you. the case here is that the rest of your class are idiots for not looking at past FRQs LOL gg.</p>

#3

<p>Actually, it is cheating because you consciously tried to gain a potential upper hand by memorizing obscure patterns rather than by spending that time mastering the material (at least more than you may have at that point). It's over now, but rest assured it was cheating. Would the teacher disapprove of it? Then it's probably cheating. There's no vindicating it now.</p>

#4

<p>What the hell is wrong with you? Theres no need to repeat that it was cheating a hundred times. Also, half of what you said doesnt make sense, for example, just because a teacher doesnt approve of it doesnt make it cheating.</p>

<p>Anyways, to the OP, you didnt cheat, its her fault for using questions that were easily able to be found online, whats she going to do? Ban you from using google? Also, they have no proof for their allegations</p>

#5

<p>Truthfully, I abhor cheating. It is beyond irritating to me. However, I certainly wouldn't consider that cheating. You used reasoning abilities, you deserve that for figuring it out. Anyone could have done so, and it seems most people these days literally cheat during the test by looking off of others, having answers written somewhere hidden, etc., so studying what you concluded would be on the test in preparation is not bad at all compared to that.</p>

#6

<p>It was not cheating. It was "gaming" the test, in that you did not spend your time simply learning all of the material so you could answer all possible questions, but it still isn't cheating.</p>

#7

<p>i dont think it was cheating... and this is coming from someone who has very strict boundaries when it comes to that sort of stuff (not trying to sound superior... just making a point)
What was the difference between what you did and someone doing those tests as a review packet in class? NOTHING! you were smart and used deductive reasoning</p>

#8

<p>Some people would call it immoral, I would call it resourceful. It is definitely NOT cheating.</p>

<p>Honestly in some easier classes (even at the college level) teachers use questions from earlier THAT year from the actual class, or essentially give the questions away on the study guide. In an AP you just have to work a bit harder for your freebies :D</p>

#9

<p>Why not tell your teacher how you studied then. I think he'll be very impressed with your resourcefulness!</p>

#10

<p>Yes it's cheating. No the teacher doesn't really have grounds for punishing you.</p>

#11

<p>This came off as sarcastic (As in he won't tell the teachers since you believe it was cheating) However I must say I would tell my teacher, and my teacher probably would thank me for informing them of how I gamed their test so they can make a better one. Then again, my teachers love me, and would assume I would rock the test either way. I guess that is one of the few benefits of a WAY too easy school lol.</p>

<p>Edit: Also, if any other then me did this our teachers would be EXCITED that anyone showed the initiative to find the answers (especially since it took some critical thinking to find them) and that the people STUDIED at all.</p>

#12

<p>You did not cheat. If the other tests were readily avaible to you( ex if you saw them on the official website) you would be considered ignorant for not using them. Now, if you secretely work for the CIA and you broke into
the classroom or stole the tests then we may have a problem...</p>

<p>But don't worry about it. Even my literature teacher, for example, tells us that if we use sparknotes in addition to other materials that would be okay. Wow I wrote alot. Anyway, studying with past tests ( as long as you didn't contact the CIA) is a perfectly valid way to study.</p>

#13

<p>I don't think it's cheating. It's not like you had the answers on you during the test.</p>

#14

<p>I very much doubt that you can get punished for this. But you feel guilty enough to post this question, so obviously you have a bit of a moral dilemma with yourself. I won't tell you if it was right or wrong of you to do so, but I have a friend who does this for APES all the time, and as long as you don't memorize answer choices but the questions, you still end up learning the material. </p>

<p>But be warned. Teachers for certain APs get privileged access to previous AP tests that are not open to the general public, so if your teacher is one of those ( my physics and calculus teachers did this), they won't use the publicly published forms for major tests.</p>

#15

<p>Closed book tests are dumb... The line between studying and cheating is a blurry one. If you are looking for support though your teacher has no grounds on which to punish you.</p>

#16

<p>Just don't say anything. SHHHH. You were smart and took the opportunity.</p>

<p>If you showed like NO WORK and you got an A or A+ then there'll be some problems there...</p>

#17

<p>Take it from someone who despises cheaters: You didn't cheat, you simply used logic, reasoning, and a pinch of teacher-given information to help you better take advantage of your resources. That's not cheating, in my opinion.</p>

#18

<p>Looking at the answers in the middle of the test is cheating. There's no way around that.</p>

#19

<p>That definitely is not cheating, you were given the same information as everyone else. You used that information, and it will pay off :) good for you!</p>

<p>P.s..... I did that the other day.. ;) it's not cheating.</p>

#20

<p>It's not cheating. You're just good at finding the loophole. I don't think you should be penalized for it grade-wise, but you're obviously not getting the practice you need. (Imo, doing released exams is the best way to prepare for AP exams.)</p>