Chinese, Korean students get SAT results

A majority of students from China and the Republic of Korea have received their scores from an October SAT test from the company that administers the exam used in the US college application process.

Test results from the Oct 11 exam given to Chinese and Korean students in Asia had been delayed due to a cheating investigation by Educational Testing Service, the College Board's test administration and security provider.

"As a result of the administrative review, College Board and ETS have released the majority of October 11 SAT scores directly to the test-takers in China and Korea. ETS is informing these students that their scores are available online through their My SAT Organizer. Students and parents may contact SAT Customer Service at +1 (212) 713-7789 or sat@info.collegeboard.org with any questions," said a Nov 21 statement from ETS.

The College Board and ETS also asked "anyone with knowledge of any dishonest behavior with respect to the SAT to contact the Office of Testing Integrity".

Students from other countries who took the Oct 11 exam have already received their scores. ETS didn't specify how many of the Chinese and Korean students who took the Oct 11 exam received their scores or how many scores are still being withheld or are under investigation. Another SAT exam is scheduled to be administered on Dec 6.

In an Oct 30 statement to China Daily, an ETS spokesman declined to disclose the number of students affected by the withholding of exam results from Oct 11.

There have been reports in the past about test-takers in East Asia acquiring and sharing questions in advance, particularly at test preparation schools. In 2013, the College Board canceled all SAT tests scheduled in May in Korea due to allegations that test questions were leaked, affecting some 1,500 students.

"It's quite an open secret within my industry that some people will manage to get the materials of SAT tests," said Hu Zhonghua, founder of OnePlusOne, a Beijing-based company that trains students for tests, including the SAT. He said training centers that prepare students for the SAT may leak test materials to students before the exam is held.

Last month students took to social media to express concern that the delay in releasing the Oct 11 results might impede the application process, especially for those who are seeking an early decision on admission.

paulwelitzkin@chinadailyusa.com