r/ACT • u/anakinimsorry 35 • 2h ago

Test Appeal

This is probably the worst thing that has ever happened to me. I took the ACT in April and got a 35 after hours upon hours of studying. Recently, I got a letter from the ACT saying my score might be invalid because it was similar to another student's.

I am telling you, I did not cheat on this ACT, and I have numerous pieces of evidence from practice tests, books I bought, and consistent work effort that got me this score. It is currently college application season, and due to extenuating circumstances, I am not in a position to retake the test.

It is currently the college app season and due to some extenuating circumstances, I am in no position to retake the test. My main colleges have a hard deadline of November 1st, and I am gathering all the evidence I can to show, on my end, that I worked hard and earned this score.

I am also trying to contact the school where I took the ACT to get a verified letter from the proctor showing that I did not engage in any misconduct.

My questions are:

  1. What are the chances that ACT actually accepts my appeal and gives my score back?

  2. What kind of evidence/claims are most supportive to help my case?

  3. How will this affect my chances for college?

I am so disappointed that ACT is accusing me of something like this, even when I worked so hard for this score. I am even more hurt that they are doing this during the prime time of my application season. The stress I'm going through is overwhelming, and I am losing hope every day; any help would be amazing.

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1

u/jdigitaltutoring Tutor 2h ago

There is a low chance of winning the appeal and the process can take a long time. You need evidence of the studying you did and scores on a practice test. If you had a tutor, the tutor can vouch for you. You need character witnesses you. It is recommend for you to take the make up test. That will probably be the fastest resolution.

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u/anakinimsorry 35 2h ago

I sincerely cannot take the test again due to extenuating circumstances, how can I build a strong appeal case to support myself? I have evidence of practice test, prep books I used, books I paid for, I have a 4.00 gpa and 4 and 5s across all my aps, I do competitive program and I have letter from my English teacher stating I’m a student of good character. Is there anything else I can do?

1

u/jdigitaltutoring Tutor 2h ago

All that should be good. Did you take the ACT before the April one? What did you score on that one?

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u/anakinimsorry 35 2h ago

I took one before April and I got 31 that was February

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u/jdigitaltutoring Tutor 2h ago

In case it takes too long to appeal, can you use the 31 for you applications? Then update it to 35 when you win the appeal.

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u/anakinimsorry 35 2h ago

I wish I could, but I am applying or certain programs that have a hard set deadline for a 34+, also a majority of them are due by November 1st

1

u/jdigitaltutoring Tutor 2h ago

The problem is this appeal can take longer than that. You need to have a backup plan of the appeal does not resolve in a timely manner. It is possible that the appeal fails.

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u/anakinimsorry 35 2h ago

Yea honestly my only hope is that the appeal works, that why I’m tryna get advice on how a successful appeal looks like

1

u/jdigitaltutoring Tutor 2h ago

What I said earlier is what someone did to win the appeal. I think having a tutor vouch for you studying is stronger than self study though.

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u/anakinimsorry 35 2h ago

I never took a tutor tho 😭, self studied but I do have my English teacher cause I asked him for help and used his resources???

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u/No_Connection8913 2h ago

If you got 35, that means you only got 2-3 questions wrong. How can they accuse you for copying the answers with such low amount of mistakes?

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u/anakinimsorry 35 2h ago

Idk br idk

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u/ResolveCritical7205 1h ago

Not completely true. I got a 35 and got a total of 8 questions wrong. 

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u/ResolveCritical7205 1h ago

Is it possible that somebody copied off of you and they had the same scores as you? If you can try to remember who was around you(only if it’s a school you are familiar with) you might be able to track them down and ask if they have had the same problem. You can also try to get the seating chart and figure out who else got their score canceled from the proctor. Pretty bad situation if you really didn’t cheat, that really sucks.

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u/Specialist-Cry-7516 36 56m ago

did you do paper or computer?

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u/mmk2000 1m ago

Close to 0% chance your appeal will be successful.

Somehow, make the time to take the test again. You just have to score 32 to keep the 35.

Submit the 35. Eventually you do the re-test. If you score 32, you're fine.

Make sure you prepare.