Can you cheat on the SAT? Ahem. Asking how to cheat on the SAT is an interesting question. I assume you’re asking how to cheat on the test in a hypothetical sense rather than a pragmatic sense.
That is, I do not encourage any form of SAT cheating including using any of these methods. I strongly condemn cheating on the SAT or any setting for that matter.
Cheating on SAT Tests Does Happen
I am answering your question about how to cheat on SAT tests, because the CollegeBoard and The ACT organizations have done very poor jobs at securing their exams, and the organizations should take this more seriously.
As Reuters pointed out, the CollegeBoard did attempt to address SAT cheating and exam security, but some key risks remained.
But, I’ll reserve my thoughts on this at the moment as it’s a topic that warrants its own article.
First:
Let’s discuss the Quora post below (and the countless others) where people ask for advice about how to cheat on the SAT.
I find Aaron Lemon-Strauss’ comment on that post to be quite telling, although it has since been removed.
The truth is:
Many people have successfully cheated on the SAT.
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Cheating on the SAT: An Intellectual Experiment
In the future, you will get less biased answers if you ask your questions about cheating on tests using passive voice (i.e., how could cheating be done by someone on the SAT?), or from an intellectual curiosity stance (i.e., what are some of the biggest vulnerabilities of the SAT’s method of test-proctoring?), or even from a historical standpoint (i.e. has anyone ever successfully cheated on the SAT?).
For example:
As an intellectual experiment, it’s always fun to play around with the taboos…
“How could I rob a bank and not get caught?‘
or,
“How would I steal a rare book and resell it without someone noticing?“
or, in this case,
“How can I cheat on the SAT?”
Assuming you have the same intentions to explore the question as an intellectual experiment, here are three ways to cheat on the SAT.
3 Common Ways Students Cheat on The SAT
In fact, the way most people are able to cheat on the SAT is mostly through one of the following methods:
- identity fraud
- access to the material early (either by accident or intentionally)
- communication during the test
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Additional Ways People Cheat on the SAT
Then we can think about some other methods to cheat on the SAT using both traditional hacking and non-technical hacking standpoint:
- Time-zone hacking
The East coast is done with the SAT before Hawaii starts testing. (easy fix for the SAT: give different tests to different locales) - Accommodation hacking
Extra time is given to students who have an Individualized Education Plan. (I don’t think anyone would do this—it would be massively involved and have huge repercussions outside the test) - Communication
Bathroom breaks with cell phones. (easy fix for the SAT: require students to bring cell phones and hand them in) - Section jumping
Move back to different sections during the Experimental section and rework left-over problems (easy fix for the SAT: give the sections independently)
Obviously, Don’t Cheat on the SAT. Period.
Once again, do not attempt to cheat on the SAT. Nothing I’ve said here suggests that you should.
I post this so that the SAT and ACT organizations get their acts together about security and stop pretending like it’s out of their hands.
SAT cheating is a serious offense with serious consequences.
So, instead of asking how to cheat on the SAT, take note that the best way to do well on the SAT is through thorough preparation.
Study hard and, if possible, work with a test prep instructor who has been through it.