What happens when your SAT score is under review? Advice from a lawyer for students.

You log into your College Board account on SAT score release day. Your heart drops, your score has been flagged and is under review. What does this mean? It could happen because of an outside report by another test taker or statistical analysis from inside College Board. Either way, you will have to figure out how to defend your score.

What are my choices if my SAT score gets flagged for investigation?

The test taker has four options:

• Submit evidence to support your score.
• Retest and score within 120-150 points of the score in question to validate.
• Go to arbitration which is a legal action with a neutral third-party decision maker.
• Cancel your score and take the test again.

What happens if I cancel my score?

Any university that was sent the score will be notified that it has been cancelled. College Board will close the review.

What happens if I decide to retest?

You will have to achieve a score close to the original (about 120-150 points) to validate.

What if I decide to send documentation to establish validity?

If you decide on this option, you will have to send information that demonstrates you did not cheat or allow someone else to cheat off you.

You should request any documents College Board is using to question the validity of your SAT score. This includes:

• Seating charts
• Testing booklets (both yours and whoever else they believe cheated)
• Answer sheets (both yours and whoever else they believe cheated)
• Proctor statements
• Statistical analysis report that indicates wrong to right answer changes
• Reports that indicate answer sheet similarities between test takers

What other documents should you include with your documentation?

• Letters of character
• Proof of utilizing a preparation course
• Study books used
• Transcripts
• Guidance counselor statement
• Statement from your tutor
• Test preparation study schedule
• And anything else that shows the preparation you went through to earn your score.

What should I write about in my letter to the college board to establish my SAT score validity?

The biggest challenge many students face is writing clear and logical arguments. Organizing your “appeal” can be tough. Fighting through a range of emotions to express how hard you studied can muddle your presentation of evidence. Make an outline and set forth your arguments using succinct language.

Go through your evidence and write how each document supports the validity of your SAT score. Organize your arguments from strongest to weakest and use heading to make the presentation appear organized.

Can you help me write my SAT score appeal to College Board?

Yes. I help students all over the country write letters establishing score validity on the SAT. Using my skills as an appellate attorney, I write clear documents setting forth the evidence that supports your score validity.

Call today for help with your SAT score validation submission.

Richard Asselta is a student defense attorney. Using nearly 20 years of legal experience, he works with students all over the country facing ACT and SAT score reviews and validation issues. Call now for a free consultation.

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