by Reagan Yates ‘19

High school senior Kamilah Campbell is simply trying to take her SAT and get into college like everyone else, but after her October test came back with a 300-point increase, she is being told that her score is invalid.  

Campbell took her first SAT in March 2018 where she received a score of 900 – and she was not satisfied. So, she bought a test prep book, took online classes, and went to tutors in an effort to improve her score on the October 2018 test.

After October scores were released, Campbell was thrilled to learn that her hard work had led to an over 300 point increase and a final score of 1230. But, not long after she received her score, she received a letter from the College Board saying her scores were being flagged for review and withheld because of the dramatic increase. This means that Campbell was unable to use her scores to apply to any schools.

Campbell’s top school choice, Florida State University, had a deadline of January 1, which Campbell missed because she had no SAT score to submit. Now, her attorney Ben Crump is threatening to sue the College Board if her scores are not released within the next two weeks. In December, a spokesperson from the College Board said they “celebrate when students work hard and improve their scores on the SAT.” This leaves Campbell and her attorney questioning why her hard work and hours of studying indicated being a cheater.