Norwalk Schools Safeguard The SAT

A good score on the SAT can mean the difference between getting into a good school and a great one. A degree from a great school can open the doors to a coveted job or entry to a prestigious graduate program. With so much at stake, some students will do almost anything to secure a higher score, including cheat. In September, seven people in Long Island were arrested for allegedly taking part in a scam that saw students pay someone to take the test for them. The scandal brought into question the security surrounding the standardized test.

"It makes you very nervous and we're worried about it," said Denise Evon, a guidance counselor at both and an SAT coordinator. "It's imperative that we ensure the validity of the test."

SAT coordinators try to protect the integrity of the test which is administered by the College Board, by making certain the people taking the exam are who they say they are. Each person taking the test must present photo identification in addition to an entrance ticket which is sent by the College Board. After verification, the person is given another ticket which permits entry to a classroom or area where a proctor matches them up with a roster they are given.

"Do we know everyone that is taking the test? I can't say that we do," said Evon. "There are almost 200 people that take the test at McMahon. The proctors know most of the students, but there are some students from other districts that we don't know. We have checks and balances to make sure they match up with their photos and entrance tickets. We are like the police and we try to check everything."

The scam in Long Island was uncovered when guidance counselors noticed the students had high , but low grade-point averages. A big red flag went up when they discovered all six of the students registered to take the test at a high school different from one they attended. The person taking the test for them allegedly doctored the identification and photos to gain entry to the place were the test was administered.

"In the society we live in today, we have to try to stay a step ahead of the game," said Evon. "I'm sure the College Board will make changes that will make it even tougher to cheat the test as a result of this."

Where there is a dollar to be made or a corner to be cut, there are people who will try to do just about anything to exploit it. Evon and the College Board know there are some people who will read about the Long Island scam and try to take it to the next level.

"We always have to be aware of what's going on and check and double-check the students. The most important thing is keeping the test valid and we try to do everything possible to ensure that."