Exclusive: ACT cancels test scores in Asia after leak of essay question
LONDON (Reuters) — Students in Asia have been notified that their scores regarding the writing area of last month’s ACT college-entrance exam are being canceled, in the latest example of how standardized test makers are struggling to contain a worldwide epidemic of cheating.
The incident comes just months after ACT Inc, the Iowa-based nonprofit that operates the test, was forced to cancel its exam for many takers in South Korea and Hong Kong. That incident, in June, marked the 1st time the high-stakes exam was canceled for an entire country.
ACT spokesman Ed Colby declined to express just how many students were suffering from the October score cancellations, that he said test that is involved in Asia and Oceania. He described the incident because of “a compromise into the testing process” and said the affected students “amounted to simply a small part of examinees in the area.”
Affected students when it comes to October score cancellation received an email from ACT that stated: “Unfortunately, events occurred which compromised the testing process when it comes to portion that is writing of test event. As a result, you will not receive a score for your writing test response/essay. Your choice that is multiple ACT, mathematics, reading, and science tests—WILL be scored.”
The message added that ACT will issue each learning student a $16 refund.
The ACT writing section is nominally voluntary, but many colleges require students to take it to gauge an applicant’s writing and reasoning abilities.
The latest security incident is “a frustrating and complicated situation for the students,” said Kristin J. Dreazen, president for the international affiliate regarding the National Association for College Admission Counseling.
Your day ahead of the ACT was administered on Oct. 22, Reuters obtained a duplicate of an ACT writing test about the subject “Fame” that an Asian source said had leaked and was to be given the day that is next. Test administrators in Asia were instructed shortly prior to the test to substitute a essay that is different as compared to one that originally had shipped. Colby declined to comment on the test Reuters obtained.
Reuters reported in July that ACT’s test security unit repeatedly had recommended security that is tightening before the June breach, but that ACT executives had rejected the recommendations. The organization later laid off the relative head of this unit. ACT’s chief executive, Marten Roorda, has declined to be interviewed.
ACT recently began shipping a few of its test booklets and answer sheets in lock boxes to guard against leaks. However the use of lock boxes still is not universal, according to test administrators.
In July, Reuters also detailed widespread cheating into the ACT-owned assessment Certificate program that is global. This system, which offers college preparatory courses, has about 5,000 students and operates in about 200 centers, mostly in Asia. reut.rs/2akY3uf
Seven students who attended three different GAC centers in China described how school officials and proctors were and ignored sometimes complicit in cheating regarding the ACT. Eight teachers or administrators that have worked at seven different Chinese GAC centers also described cheating in program courses.
ACT’s chief rival, the New York-based College Board, which administers the SAT, happens to be struggling with its own security problems. The faculty Board recently notified an number that is undisclosed of in Egypt that their scores were being canceled for the October test.
College Board spokesman Zach Goldberg said the cancellations were “based on evidence that a test preparation organization illegally shared and obtained the test content ahead of the administration.” He declined to elaborate.
Reuters also reported in August that a major breach exposed hundreds of unpublished questions for upcoming SAT exams. A College Board spokeswoman said the corporation was investigating what she termed “a serious criminal matter.”