<p>6 or 7 HS students paid a college student up to $2500 to take the SAT for them, getting scores of around 2200. There is footage of police officers taking a HS student away from school, and apparently all of them face criminal charges. The students were caught because HS faculty found their scores unbelievable, and they searched for students who had taken the SAT at other test sites and scored higher than expected.</p>
<p>It’s hard to believe that the students were able to come up with this kind of money, yet it’s also hard to believe that parents supported this. I was also surprised that cheating on SATs is a criminal offense.</p>
<p>I hope that this discourages others from cheating.</p>
<p>I wonder how many similar cases are NOT caught?</p>
<p>If the guy who took the test had not gotten such a high score, and had purposely got a few answers wrong, and only received, for example, a 1900, this probably would not have even come to light.</p>
<p>I am more incline to think it was the frequency with which he was talking the exam, more than the jump in scores. Had he just taken it for one or maybe 2 kids, he probably would not have been caught. No one is going to seriously question a big jump in scores for one or even 2 kids.</p>
<p>Also for every kid he took the exam for - at least 2-3 other kids (BFFs) knew about it. I would not be surprised if one ex-friend with knowledge of the operation spilled the beans.</p>
<p>I think cheating on the SAT is very common, just a few cases are found.
Back when I was taking the SAT a long time ago, the people at the test sites don’t really care who’s taking the test. They just read the newspapers. I finished the test and turned in and was never asked for ID. Some people were using a calculator during verbal sections.</p>
<p>I am not surprised that kids in that district have that kind of money. My D took her SAT prep course in that town and she was amazed/appalled at the luxury and ostentation that showed up - kids with Rolexes, Lexi, Kate Spade bags and the like…</p>
<p>We looked at homes there years ago and decided against it when we realized how much nicer the cars in the student parking lot were than those in the teachers’ lot.</p>
<p>I was surprised to read that ETS does not notify high schools or colleges in the event of suspected cheating. I think this behavior would change if the consequences were more significant. Hopefully, public arrests will deter future cheating.
I feel sorry for Great Neck High School’s non-cheating students…they know there is a cloud over their heads.</p>
<p>I’m not surprised that parents would pay, or look the other way. Ironically, when the story aired last night on the news, the piece immediately following was about Bernie Madoff!</p>
<p>p.s. I should clarify by saying I’m not surprised SOME parents would pay…there are people who would do anything to get ahead and don’t care who they hurt in the process. Is it time to do away with standardized tests and let the kids’ records speak for them?</p>
<p>It’s not so easy, colcon. Kids’ records vary enormously, so to let “them speak for themselves” would be a poor indication of ability in many cases, and unfair in some. Schools vary widely in quality and curriculum. For example, at my local public hs (which is the top public in my state), almost 25% of the students are “high honors” and “most rigorous.” At my children’s private prep, only two students have a similar distinction, and a 93 is the highest GPA. If hs records were the ONLY benchmark, they would be fraught with even more monkey business. SATs are at least a national standard and an equalizer. Nothing is perfect.</p>
<p>I agree that the colleges should be notified. The only reason we’re paying for these tests is for the colleges…who require them, not for the high schools. Not for the good of the kids. The College Board could easily put a damper on the cheating by notifying all colleges the kids apply to…that well…the kids cheated. Super easy. Quick fix. A policy could be in place well…tomorrow.</p>