New Anti-Cheating Measures Devised Following SAT Scandal

In September 2011, reports of cheating on college standardized exams leaked. This resulted to the public questioning the credibility of testing agencies, and the college admission process.

The case that ignited the issue
Twenty high school students from Long Island New York were charged after getting involved in a cheating scandal. Five students took the test for fifteen students, in exchange of amounts that are as high as $3,600. Some of those who have taken the test are from reputable families.Those who paid them were hoping to secure a spot in their dream university. It ended up that what they got locked in for themselves is embarrassment.

New Policies imposed
Nassau County Court District Attorney Kathleen Rice headed the investigation, and here are the new rules they have come up with in response to the cheating scandal:

Students are now required to submit a photograph as they sign up for the exams. This image shall be compared to the face of the person showing up to take the test. Identifying the highschool where students want their test results sent is now also required.

Schools, on the other hand, are given the back-end opportunity as they get to receive a copy of the test results along with the photograph of the student who took the exam. Aside from that, students are also required to indicate their gender and birthdate to avoid cases where students take exams for those with gender neutral names.

If before registering the same day the exam was taken is allowed, now, it is prohibited. Unless your name is on the roster, you would not be allowed to take the test.

This means additional costs but SAT Executive Director for Communications Kathleen Steinberg as well as ACT’s Mr. Homer were quick to respond that this would not affect the exam fees.

Rice sees the reason why cheating scandal has grown this big is because students think that cheating pays off. This perception has to be changed though, according to her. Nobody cheating can just get away it.

What’s so unfair with cheating
Cheating is abominable as it deprives honest and more deserving students opportunities to go to college. If this shall continue we can only see how the next slide looks like - undeserving, incapable students get to the best school (which has the most stringent admission processes), take the course they want, and then graduate, of course incorporating some magic in the equation.

You can only imagine old days when technology is not that advanced yet, and intelligent students really do their homework. These people commit mistakes still. How much graver the mistakes that those pretending to be smart can commit then?

Exam cheating scandals in itself is already a slap on the face of reputable testing organizations and universities.

Does everyone welcome the new rules?
As expected, the new rules received backlash.

Some were questioning the effectiveness of the new policies. One believes that the solution is not to use funds to add photos, but rather have colleges administer the admission exams, themselves, or have high schools provide the test for students. At least that way, proctors are more likely familiar with students and would not just be fooled easily by those faking identities. It should be harder to cheat then.

Some are also worried that this might only result to racist decisions from admissions committee.

Self-discipline should put an end to this
The enormous attention that is given to this controversy should tell students how vital hard work and honesty are, in satisfying your goals. Resorting to the 'easy way out'option may provide solution to academic issues, however only temporary.