The College Board and Educational Testing Service® (ETS®) strive to report scores that accurately reflect the performance of every test taker. Accordingly, ETS has established standards and procedures for administering tests that give all test takers equivalent opportunities to demonstrate their abilities, and prevent some test takers from gaining an unfair advantage. To support these objectives, ETS reserves the right to cancel any test scores when, in its judgment,
- a testing irregularity occurs,
- there is an apparent discrepancy in photo identification,
- a test taker engages in misconduct, or
- the score is invalid for another reason.
Reviews of scores by ETS are confidential. When, for any of these reasons, ETS cancels a test score that has already been reported, it notifies score recipients that the score has been canceled, but it does not disclose the reason for cancellation unless authorized to do so by the test taker. This does not necessarily apply to group cases.
Testing Irregularities refer to problems with the administration of a test. When testing irregularities occur, they may affect an individual or groups of test takers. Such problems include, without limitation, administrative errors (such as improper timing, improper seating, defective materials, and defective equipment); improper access to test content; and other disruptions of test administrations (such as natural disasters and other emergencies). When testing irregularities occur, ETS may decline to score the test, or cancel the test score. When it is appropriate to do so, ETS gives affected test takers the opportunity to take the test again as soon as possible, without charge.
Identification discrepancies. When ETS or test center personnel judge that there is a discrepancy in a test taker's identification, the test taker may be dismissed from the test center or, ETS may subsequently decline to score the test, or cancel the test score.
Misconduct. If, in ETS's judgment, there is misconduct in connection with a test, ETS may dismiss the test taker from the test center, decline to score the test, or cancel the test score. Misconduct includes, but is not limited to:
- obtaining improper access to the test, a part of the test, or information about the test
- referring to, looking through, or working on any test, or test section, other than during the testing period for that test or test section
- using any prohibited aids in connection with the test
- taking food or drink into the test room
- leaving the test room without permission
- attempting in any manner to remove from the test room any part of a test book or any notes relating to the test
- attempting to give or receive assistance, or otherwise communicate in any form with another person about the test, during the test administration
- attempting to take the test for someone else
- creating any kind of a disturbance
- failing to follow any of the test administration regulations contained in the Bulletin, given by the test supervisor, or specified in any materials Invalid Scores. ETS may also cancel scores if, in its judgment, there is substantial evidence that they are invalid for any other reason. Before canceling scores pursuant to this paragraph, ETS notifies the test taker in writing about its concerns, gives the test taker an opportunity to submit information that addresses the concerns, considers any such information submitted, and offers the test taker a choice of options. The options include voluntary score cancellation, a free retest, or arbitration in accordance with ETS's standard Arbitration Agreement. In addition, the test taker is sent a copy of the booklet, Why and How Educational Testing Service Questions Test Scores, that explains this process in greater detail. (Any test taker may request a copy of this booklet at any time.)
Note: The retest option is not available outside the United States and Canada. The arbitration option is available only for tests administered in the United States.
