He'll Cheat For You

A professional test-taker will take an SAT exam for you, with a fake ID, for around $800. Yes, this is cheating. It's unethical but not illegal.

He doesn't have to advertise. The word just gets around from "satisfied" customers.

Have you been a slacker in high school but your parents want you to attend an Ivy league School? No problem. Call "Bob." If you give "Bob" your ID and he makes a fake one with your permission, "Bob" didn't break any law.

A Custom Fit

Do you want a particular score? No problem. "Bob" is such a pro at taking tests that you can even set a target score. The most requested scores run between 1100-1200. "Bob" usually comes pretty close but sometimes gets too many answers correct and the score is too high. Sigh. There are pros and cons to every "under the table" business venture.

The Deluxe Package

Unfortunately, "Bob" must charge extra for giving answers to your friend taking the test elsewhere using a cell phone while he is taking the test himself. Cell phones are not allowed during SAT tests, but somehow using silent, text messaging and sitting behind someone large does allow "Bob" to get by with it.

Is This Legal?

Sure is. You can't be charged with a forgery unless someone presses charges. The student or parents of the student that hired "Bob" are certainly not going to complain. "Bob" didn't steal the ID, either. It was given to him. So, where is the crime?

The Clients

"Bob" states that his clients are lazy, upper-middle class kids with professional parents that have not applied themselves in high school.

He does offer some advise, "Most people who are on the hunt for test-takers spend more time figuring out how to cheat than they would if they just studied for the test." Thanks for the advise, "Bob."

Related articles: SAT Fatigue?, The SAT and Admissions by Lynn Byrne, SAT Scores Drop, Cell Phones in the Classroom: Yes or No?, ACT Scores Falling, Reading Scores Down - Again

Read previous articles on Educational Issues.