College Entrance Exam Security Tightened | Business 2 Community

A cheating scandal that recently blew up in New York state has affected the way that college-bound students will be able to take both the SAT and ACT entrance exams. Security measures have already been significantly tightened beyond current standards, according to the groups responsible for the tests.

Perhaps the most startling change will take effect for the upcoming school year, when prospective test takers will be required to upload or mail in a photograph of themselves that will then be printed onto their tickets. Security guards will check the photo on the ticket against a photo ID that the test taker will be forced to provide if they hope to continue on to the test.

Also, standby options will no longer exist for those who wish to switch locations or try to take a different test.

Test taker impersonation is at the root of the problem, according to a spokeswoman from the College Board, the group that owns the SATs. The College Board believes that these tightened security restrictions should prevent anyone from attempting to cheat by standing in on a test for an actual student.

The scandal responsible for the newly enhanced security occurred in Long Island last year. At that time, twenty students were arrested. Allegedly, fifteen high school students paid five students from a local college at least $3,600 to take the ACT or the SAT in their place. The alleged imposters presented fake IDs that contained the actual name of each student supposedly taking the test, allowing them to gain entrance.

Though a few of the suspects have pled guilty, others are juveniles whose names cannot be released at this time.

Kathleen Rice, the County District Attorney for Nassau and the woman also responsible for prosecuting the accused, agreed to help create the new rules by working alongside ACT and the College Board. At a recent conference, Rice spoke out against anyone who thinks that cheating will pay off, and further suggested that adults should take responsibility for not discouraging deviant behavior in today?s youth whenever it crops up.

Rice also worked alongside Louis Freeh, former head of the FBI, to craft the updated restrictions.

Part of the new rules governing the tests requires test takers to sign a form acknowledging that they understand that substituting an imposter to take the test for them could result in criminal charges. Anyone with a criminal background will find it difficult or impossible to receive financial aid, which could severely hamper their efforts to attend institutions of higher learning, including any attempts to learn via distance education.

In the past, a number of schools were excluded from those receiving student test scores. Now, according to Rice, every school will be granted this privilege as a way of checking on student progress and reliability. Officials are currently working to build a database that will contain the photograph and submitted information for every test taker. This database will be available to administrators of both tests, as well as high school and college administrators in hopes of frustrating the future cheaters of America.

Author: Sarah Harris????

Sarah is a freelance writer from Calabasas, California. In her spare time she enjoys working with an animal rescue group based in Los Angeles?. View?full?profile

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