Exploring Consequences of Cheating on ACT

Hey folks, kind of a serious question here but...I've heard of a few people from another school in my district getting caught cheating on the ACT. It made me real scared and wary. What sort of consequences can they expect, and what sort of impact will this have on their college applications?

Cheating on standardized tests like the ACT has significant consequences, which can broadly be categorized under two headings: Immediate Consequences and Long-Term Consequences.

Immediate Consequences:

1. Test Cancellation - ACT, Inc., which administers the ACT, has the right to cancel any test scores if cheating is suspected. The test taker won't get a refund, and would essentially have to start over with a retake if they want a score on record.

2. Banned from Future Testing - In some severe cases, ACT, Inc. may ban a student from taking the ACT in the future. This means the student has lost the opportunity to prove their abilities in a widely-accepted test that many colleges consider during the admissions process.

Long-Term Consequences:

1. Impact on College Applications - If colleges learn about the cheating incident either through ACT, Inc., common application disciplinary section, or school officials, it will damage the student's reputation considerably. Integrity is highly valued at institutions of higher education, and such an incident may lead to immediate denial of application. More often than not, college admissions officers discontinue reviewing an application once a student's integrity is questioned.

2. Impact on Current High School - Schools take academic integrity very seriously, and the student could face disciplinary actions at their high school. This might include suspension or being barred from certain activities.

3. Emotional and Psychological Impacts - Beyond the tangible consequences, getting caught cheating can have emotional and psychological impacts. It typically leads to feelings of guilt, shame, and a loss of self-esteem.

The bottom line: Cheating comes with heavy consequences that can derail one's academic and professional journey. It's far better to prepare thoroughly, start early, and aim for a realistic score in line with your abilities. Good luck with your ACT preparation!