Test Security and Fairness
The SAT Program's policies for testing are designed to give every student an equal opportunity to demonstrate college readiness and to prevent anyone from gaining an unfair advantage. Here are some important things for you to expect when you take an SAT test:
- Test materials are secured before, during, and after the test so that no unauthorized person has access to questions before taking the test.
- Timing of each section is strictly scheduled. This means that you cannot skip ahead or go back to a previous test or test section while taking either the SAT or SAT Subject Tests.
- No one should see the questions except you, while you are taking the test. Sharing of test questions with others may enable them to attain inappropriately higher scores, thus decreasing the value of your score.
- Cell phone use is prohibited; students are strongly encouraged not to bring cell phones to the test center. If your phone makes noise, or you are seen using it at any time (including breaks), you may be dismissed immediately, your scores will likely be canceled, and the device may be confiscated. This policy also applies to any other prohibited digital or electronic device or both, such as a BlackBerry, pager, personal digital assistant, iPod, MP3 player, camera or other photographic equipment, or a separate timer of any kind. We strongly advise you not to bring them.
- Sharing essay questions or multiple-choice questions with anyone for any reason is a violation of test fairness policy. Never give questions to others (including your teachers) or discuss them by any means. This includes, but is not limited to, email, text messages, via the Internet, or any other form of communication. Discussing the essay question (but not multiple-choice questions) is permissible after it is available online.
- If your essay does not reflect your original and individual work, all of your test scores may be canceled.
- You may not consult textbooks, other people, electronic devices, or any other resources during breaks.
- Parents and guardians are not allowed to escort their children to the testing rooms.
- Students may be tested in the same room as test-takers of all grades and ages.
- Violation of test security policies will result in score cancellation. See Important Information for Test-Takers for more information about how the SAT Program responds to test security issues and safeguards your rights as a test-taker.
