The SAT is one of the most important and stressful rites of passages for college-bound high school students. With admissions to selective universities more competitive than ever, students face immense pressure to earn high scores. Some may be tempted to cheat in a misguided attempt to get ahead. But cheating on the SAT is a risky endeavor with devastating consequences that can reverberate for years to come.
How Common is SAT Cheating?
Solid statistics on SAT cheating are hard to come by, as most incidents are handled discreetly by the College Board. But independent research provides some clues about the prevalence. A 2012 study by the Center for Academic Integrity found that 59% of high school students admitted to cheating on a test during the past year.[^1] In a 2017 survey by Kessler International, 42% of students said they believe their classmates have cheated on the SAT.[^2][^1]: "Cheating in School: What We Know and What We Can Do" by Stephen F. Davis, Patrick F. Drinan, Tricia Bertram Gallant
[^2]: "Kessler International‘s ‘Survey of High School Students Reveals Questionable Behaviors‘"
The College Board publishes limited data, but acknowledged cancelling scores for about 3,000 students out of 2.1 million test-takers in 2018 for various violations.[^3] That‘s about 0.14% of all students. However, many more incidents likely go undetected. And a single high-profile cheating ring, like the 2019 college admissions bribery scandal, can involve hundreds of participants.
[^3]: "College Board cancels SAT scores when cheating is suspected. It happens more often than you might think." Washington Post
Why Do Students Cheat on the SAT?
With such high risks of getting caught and severe penalties, why would students still attempt to cheat on this all-important test? Research points to a few key factors and pressure points:
- Intense pressure from parents, peers, and society in general to gain admission to elite colleges[^4]
- Belief that their scores don‘t reflect their true abilities and unfairly disadvantage them[^5]
- Perception that "everyone else is doing it" and they can‘t compete with cheaters honestly[^4]
- Desperation after scoring poorly on previous attempts and running out of chances[^6]
- Lack of confidence in their own preparation and ability to improve scores honestly[^6]
[^4]: "Student Perceptions and Motivations for Cheating" by Cizek
[^5]: "Predictors of Cheating in High School" by Wasieleski, Whatley, & Murphy
[^6]: "The Link Between Self-Efficacy and Cheating in High School" by Finn & Frone
Some students turn to cheating as a panic response fueled by anxiety over their future. Others may feel a sense of entitlement or see cheating as a shortcut to their goals. Still others may earnestly believe that their scores don‘t reflect their abilities and see cheating as a way to correct that perceived injustice. Regardless of their reasons, any form of cheating is a major ethical breach with huge downsides.
Risks & Consequences of SAT Cheating
The College Board has a zero tolerance policy for cheating and invests heavily in test security. If a student is suspected of cheating, the consequences are swift and severe:
- Scores are immediately canceled and the student is barred from retaking the SAT for up to a year.[^7]
- The College Board notifies the student‘s high school and any colleges they‘ve sent scores to about the cheating offense.[^7]
- Student‘s name is added to the College Board‘s internal database of cheating offenses, which colleges can check.[^8]
- High school may withhold diploma or impose disciplinary sanctions like suspension.[^9]
- In egregious cases involving illegal acts like bribing proctors or stealing test booklets, student may face legal prosecution.[^10]
[^7]: "SAT Terms and Conditions" from College Board
[^8]: "The Cheating Database Colleges Check" in US News & World Report
[^9]: "Consequences for Cheating on the SAT or ACT" by ThoughtCo
[^10]: "5 Cheating Scandals That Rocked the SAT and ACT" by PrepScholar
Having a confirmed record of cheating on the SAT is often a dealbreaker in college admissions. Over 100 colleges have publicly stated they will automatically reject any applicant with a cheating violation on their record.[^11] Others will likely heavily factor it into their decision. Even if a cheater manages to squeak into college, they may be ill-prepared for the work, setting themselves up for failure down the line.
[^11]: "Colleges Take Cheating Seriously" from Compass Education Group
How the College Board Catches Cheaters
To combat cheating on a mass scale for one of the most important tests in the world, the College Board employs some of the most sophisticated statistical analyses and security protocols in the standardized testing industry. Here are some of their key anti-cheating measures:
- Extensive background checks and training for test center staff and proctors[^12]
- Strict photo identification requirements for test-takers[^12]
- Seating charts, testing room photos, and timestamps to pinpoint irregularities[^13]
- Scanning social media and web for leaked content or ads selling test materials[^13]
- Plagiarism detection software to compare student essays against a massive database[^12]
- Tracking test-takers who register with inaccurate information or at the last minute[^14]
- Statistical analysis of answer patterns, including identical mistakes and suspicious erasures[^14]
[^12]: "How the SAT Keeps Test Questions Secure" from College Board
[^13]: "Inside the SATs Endless Cheating Arms Race" by Fast Company
[^14]: "How ETS Catches Cheaters" by PBS Frontline
If any red flags emerge, the College Board opens an investigation and gives the student a chance to respond before canceling any scores. But if the evidence points to cheating, their decision is final. There is no appeals process. Some sneaky cheaters may slip through the cracks, but the risks are astronomically high. It‘s simply not worth it.
The Ripple Effects of SAT Cheating
Beyond the official penalties, getting caught cheating on the SAT can have devastating ripple effects on a student‘s self-esteem, relationships, and future opportunities. Even cheaters who aren‘t caught may suffer psychological consequences down the line.
Students who cheat often feel a sense of guilt, shame, and paranoia about being exposed.[^15] They may start to doubt their own abilities and feel like an imposter. Carrying around a secret of this magnitude can be incredibly isolating and stressful.
[^15]: "The Far-Reaching Consequences of Cheating in College" by Scholastic
If word gets out about a cheating offense, the social stigma can be brutal. Classmates may view the cheater as untrustworthy and unethical. Teachers may be more suspicious and less willing to write glowing recommendations. Friends and family members may feel deeply betrayed.
In the long run, cheating can stunt a student‘s personal growth and confidence. By taking ethical shortcuts, they miss out on the chance to develop true mastery, grit, and problem-solving skills.[^16] They may start to rely on cheating to get by, only to find themselves floundering later in college or career when the stakes are even higher.
[^16]: "Emphasize a Growth Mindset" from Making Caring Common Project (Harvard Graduate School of Education)
Cheating also perpetuates inequity. Wealthy students already have many advantages, like access to expensive test prep. Cheating lets them take an additional unfair shortcut at the expense of their more disadvantaged peers. It delegitimizes the hard-won scores of the students who prepared honestly. And it can bump worthy students out of admissions spots they rightfully deserved.
A Better Way Forward
With skyrocketing competition and pressure over college admissions, it‘s understandable why some students feel desperate enough to cheat. But it‘s a massive risk with life-changing consequences. No matter how hopeless a student may feel, cheating is never the answer.
There are so many better ways to improve one‘s scores honestly and constructively:
- Taking practice tests to build endurance and time management
- Identifying weak spots and drilling those concepts
- Working with a tutor or joining a study group for support and accountability
- Building in stress relief practices like exercise and meditation
- Keeping the SAT in perspective as just one part of the application
Most of all, students need support from parents and educators to develop a strong moral compass and the resilience to weather challenges with integrity. We must affirm that a student‘s worth is not determined by their SAT score. We must emphasize growth mindset and normalize the notion that test scores can improve with effort.
And importantly, colleges must do their part by evaluating applicants holistically and not placing undue weight on test scores alone. By using more balanced and equitable admissions practices, colleges can relieve some of the unhealthy pressure on students to earn sky-high scores by any means necessary.
The SAT is a high-stakes test, but no score is worth the risk of compromising one‘s integrity and future. Students who cheat undermine their own learning, hurt their honest peers, and subject themselves to devastating consequences. With hard work and a strong ethical foundation, every student can earn a score to be proud of through their own honest efforts. That authentic achievement means far more than any score achieved by cheating.
